How to Hire a Handyman

by Kim Kinrade

Many homeowners have a small repairs to be completed or a set of stairs to be built but just don't have the time to do it. This true even if they had some decent manual or carpentry skills. For example, you can print off a set of plans on how to cut stringers and make a set of stairs for your deck but do you have the time and/or tools to do a good job? Well, many handy people would rather spend their weekend fishing or taking the kids camping than pounding away with a hammer, cleaning gutters or putting in a new set of shower faucets. And others just don't have knack and end up with a botched job and a lot of wasted time.

This is where a handyman comes in. The term "handyman" refers to a person, man or woman, who has many diverse skills which encompass repairs, small installations and other tasks which need to done to maintain a home. A handyman may be a self-taught jack-of-all trades or a retired journeyman who has 30 years experience in new carpentry and renovations. This may also affect how much you pay each one.

To be perfectly honest one handyman can rarely do everything you want done around the home. Why? Well, just like every other person a handyman has better skills in one area than others. Here's a scenario:

A homeowner wants a room built in the basement but the project is too small to involve a contractor. The decision is made to hire a handyman and interviews are set up. One handyman can do minor carpentry and install drywall but is not comfortable with painting while the next one used to be a painter but lacks in carpentry skills. In this situation you would get quotes from both for each job.

The other perk of hiring handymen over journeymen is the cost. Many contractors will charge out their workers for a certain rate that is higher than they are actually making and add a surcharge on materials. A handyman usually goes for a straight "by the hour" rate and gives you the receipt for purchased building supplies.

Keys to Hiring a Handyman

1. What Do You Want Done?

In order to choose the right handy man you have to narrow down what you want done around the home. Put a list on the fridge and you and your spouse can put down what is a pressing concern to each of you. In many cases it will be the same item but often some repairs or improvements may have slipped by one of the other. After you have this list re-write them in order of importance, a "triage" of sorts.

2. Find Some Handymen

One of the best ways to get a list of reliable handymen is through word-of-mouth. In many cases your friends have "a man who does odd jobs" around their home, a trusted friend or relative who has completed work for them. In this case you can see the fruits of the labor and have the reference in one swoop.

Another way to find a handyman is to look in the local news paper. Many reputable handyman services will have a business card-size ad in the home repair section in the newspaper and others will be in the yellow pages. A building supply establishment will have the information for someone who who they know to be a good handyman and will not support anyone who is known for shoddy work or is unreliable.

3. Choosing the Right Handyman

References: Ask for a least 3 and phone them. If the handyman has down a good job the homeowners will be glad to give a nod. This establishes trust and workmanship and can save you grief down the road.

Experience: Ask, "How much experience do you as a handy man? How experienced are you at this type of work?" These are good questions on another level because one you do not hire for this job may be perfect for another one at a later date.

License and Insurance: Depending on the state, licensing and permits may be required for certain jobs that a handyman may do. This may include projects over $2,000 or $5,000. Make sure that the handyman can draw any permits that are required. In addition, check the insurance. Because if someone falls off your roof you may be liable for lawsuits and/or medical expenses.

Complaints: This may take awhile to do but check with the Better Business Bureau, the state licensing board and the local Chamber of Commerce for any complaints. Instincts: When it comes right down to it it is you who makes the decision. Ask yourself if you can get along with this person or are there quirks that turn you off. A good working relationship means a lot in hiring a handyman.