How To Find Good Handyman

Finding a good handyman can be quite a tough task. We heard a lot of stories about people who hired handymen who never returned their calls, or showed up on time, or even worse, didn’t know how to do the job right and instead created a mess! Not to mention the fee they sometimes tried to charge you with. Until you find the right handyman for your property, going through all of those issues can be exhausting.

So what can you do as a homeowner to reduce these risks when you want to hire a handyman? There are a few tips you can try which would help you choose the right handyman:

1. Finding a good handyman is similar to find the right employee to work for your business. So you have to interview several candidates before hiring the suitable one. Keep in mind that the handyman will work around you in your own home, so you need to feel comfortable having the person around your personal space during the repair process. During the interview, ask them these questions:

• Are they licensed and carry liability insurance? Ask to see proof of these documents.
• Ask for several references from past jobs and verify. You can also check out their work histories with your state consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau.
• Do a search on the internet of their name and their company. Best way to do this is by searching using the company or individual’s name and specific keywords such as “reviews” and “complaints”.

2. You should avoid any handyman who requests for a large up-front deposit, or refuses to guarantee the price of the job. Good and a reputable handyman don’t expect to get paid before the project is completed. If the job is large or has longer durations, they will set up payment milestones in a contract. But if it’s a small job, handyman usually don’t require deposits, because they work on an hourly basis and they will charge you for the time it takes.
3. Don’t fall into the trap of discount deals or really low pricing. Price point is an important criteria, and we all love a deal, however, low-ball pricing is a handyman’s classic scam that most of us tend to fall into. Aside from that, offering a really low fee can also be a sign of something that may not be right. So don’t get tempted immediately!
4. Get everything in writing. You should have the job plan and details, costs and payment schedule laid out in a written agreement . Be clear and specific about your timeline and expected date to  start and complete the work. Get all the guarantees in writing as well. Do not work with handyman who prefer to do cash only deals. You need the paper trail in case in the future the problem still persist.
5. Review all the candidates you have and think it over. Take your time to make an informed decision before you choose the handyman you feel comfortable to work with.

Hopefully these tips will help you find a good handyman! It can be a long process, but if you do your research right, you’ll find the right handyman to improve your home. Best of luck!