Handyman
How to select the best handyman for your home
When you own a home, there are often a plethora of smaller jobs that a general handyman can be helpful at completing. Employing the services of a knowledgeable tradesman can save you many headaches and ensure that the job is done right.
Whatever your handyman needs are, it is vital that you select the right tradesman for the job. You want them to have the skill set and knowledge to successfully and efficiently complete your work. Today, we are going to give you our recommendations for some steps you can take to select the best handyman for your small home jobs.
- Research what is required for your job
- Inquire about their job specific experience
- Ensure that you feel comfortable and confident in who you choose
- Get a detailed written quote for the job or jobs you are looking to have done
Let’s take a look at each of these points in greater depth.
Research some basic knowledge about what your job entails
There are a myriad of jobs that you may want to consider hiring a handyman for. Those around the house needs may include things like fixing dripping faucets, installing shelving, building furniture or cleaning gutters. Oftentimes, these jobs could be considered DIY, but if you do not have the time or confidence to complete the job well, hiring a handyman is an excellent solution.
When you do decide to hire out for an around the home job, it is a good idea to first educate yourself on what the job entails. This allows you to accurately communicate your need when searching for the right tradesman for the job. It also gives you a knowledge base to understand how the project might be completed and ask relevant questions and understand the answers.
One of the best ways to get this information is by going to websites such as YouTube to view videos on whatever topic you are looking for. There are many reputable home improvement and repair channels that will provide videos detailing the information you are seeking.
Ask potential tradesmen about their job-related experience
When you are looking for a handyman for your job, you will want to make sure that they have specific experience in your area of need. If you are looking for help with a simple plumbing issue, but the tradesman you are talking to has the most experience in electrical and wood working, you may be able to find a better fit with someone else.
It is also important to know what your handyman is not equipped to do. Working with gas and many electrical jobs, require tradesmen to be a member of a competent person scheme. Gas work requires Gas Safe certification. If they do not have this, they should not be doing that type of work in your home.
Another way to verify your handyman’s experience is to ask them to provide references for you to call and speak to. These individuals should be able to vouch for the workmanship provided to them. Finally, ask any potential tradesman to see his portfolio of work doing similar jobs. This can be photos and testimonials. If you are lucky, they may even be able to take you to a prior job site to see their work in person.
Make sure you are comfortable and confident with the handyman you select
You should be comfortable with anyone you are bringing into your home. Is the handyman you are looking at hiring respectful and polite in all communications? Are they punctual? These are all the type of characteristics you should desire in a tradesman for hire.
Obtain detailed quotes in writing
Whatever your home repair or improvement job may be, you should always seek several like for like quotes. Once you have provided an accurate description of the work you are looking to have completed to potential tradesmen, they should provide you a detailed line item estimate including items like labor, materials, equipment rental, travel and waste removal and disposal. These written quotes should also lay out a payment plan and workmanship guarantee.
We hope that this guide proves helpful as you work to find the right handyman for your around the home jobs.