I am writing this 12 step guide on how to find a handyman because as a handyman myself I have found out the struggles people have trying to find a good and honest person that can help them with small projects contractors won’t take on.
Also, contractors cost more money to hire because they have more overhead, whereas a handyman usually is a one-man show and doesn’t (or shouldn’t) charge as much for their labor.
Here are the 12 steps I will cover that will help you choose the right handyman for the job…
Finding Good Candidates
Find Candidates That fit The Bill
Reading Reviews
Local Bulletin Boards
Contact
Research Your Prospects
Request Estimates
Interview Prospects
Ask For References
Ask For Proof Of Insurance
Providing Contracts
Is The Work Guaranteed
How To Find A Handyman 12 Step Guide
Connecticut Handyman services Milford CT
As a homeowner, sooner or later you’ll find yourself looking for a handyman to whittle down a long list of small home repair projects, like hanging a door or replacing a leaky faucet.
Your home is your number one asset, it’s important to find a reliable, trustworthy handyman with who you can put your confidence to do the job right. A good handyman will come recommended, perform high-quality work at reasonable rates, and, first and foremost, be respectful of you and your home
How To Find a Handyman Step 1
How To Find A Handyman Ask
Finding Good Candidates… The first step in finding a good handyman candidate is to ask family or friends for recommendations. People who have had the experience of working with a professional handyman will be more than willing to give you references.
Also as people in your neighborhood if they have had any good experiences with handymen and see if they can recommend someone.
Step 2… Check Online
If a handyman is reputable they will have their profile on the local search engines. If you search for a handyman in Your area (as an example I Googled “handyman in Milford CT”) where I live.
As you can see my information came right to the top of the search results. You can not fake this. Here you can see a lot of information including a Review summary. I also have images of my work in the photos. This is probably the best way to find a reputable handyman if you don’t know anyone to ask.
Step 3 community Forums
There is a lot of power in a community forum. Facebook is a great local resource. Most towns have a Facebook page where the community contributes relevant information to each other.
Joining these forums is a wealth of information. All you need to do is post a question and you will get the good and the bad from the community.
Step 4 Contacting Candidates For Quick Jobs
If you just need one or two things fixed and you’re not too insistent about getting a personal referral, consider simply calling one of the handyman services in your community. Most towns have at least a couple of businesses that loan subcontracted workers out for small projects, like replacing broken tile or fixing a damaged deck railing.
Make sure that the company offers the service you need before you call. Handymen are trained to perform a wide variety of tasks, but may not have the expertise needed to tackle more specialized projects, such as building a carport or rewiring an electrical outlet.
It’s also advisable to read the fine print in the company’s terms of service. They may charge hidden fees or expect the homeowner to cover the cost of necessary tools and materials.
Step 5 Check Bulletin Boards
If you’re not having any success with online resources, head to the nearest hardware store or home improvement center and take a look at the bulletin board posted near the entrance.
It’s not uncommon to find flyers and business cards for independent contractors looking for work in these places. Store employees may also be able to offer recommendations for handymen they’ve supplied in the past.
Don’t forget to take a tear slip or jot down the person’s contact info so you can get in touch with them later if you decide to interview them for the job.
Before you hire a freelance handyman, plug their name into a search engine to see if you can dig up any reviews from former employers.
Some larger home improvement centers like The Home Depot even offer in-house handyman services for select projects through their Home Services department. [1]
Step 6 Research For Past or Pending Complaints
According to the Better Business Bureau… In the U.S., it’s possible for employers to report contracted workers for scams, lawsuits, and other grievances through the website of the Better Business Bureau.
Do some research on each of your leading candidates prior to submitting an estimate for your project. If any major complaints have been registered against them, consider going with your second choice instead.
Hiring a handyman without doing your due diligence could set you up for a major headache, or even leave you vulnerable to theft. [2]
Step 7 Ask For Estimates
Now that you have found a few different handymen who you think might suit your needs, have them come to your home and bid on your project individually. Not only will this allow you to compare pricing and find the rate that best fits your budget, it will also give you the chance to meet with them face-to-face, discover how punctual they are, and get a feel for their professional etiquette. [3]
Step 8 Interview
Set up a time to meet with the handymen who have caught your eye and discuss the project you’re hiring them for in-depth. Like the initial bid, this is a good opportunity to evaluate your prospects on both a personal and professional level while ironing out all the important details of the job.
Come up with a list of questions to ask the handyman that will offer you a better idea of their qualifications. For example, you might ask them why they chose to become a handyman, how long they’ve been in the business, or what their greatest strengths are. [4]
Step 9 Ask for References
Any handyman who’s worth their salt will be able to produce testimonials from satisfied clients with who they’ve done work previously. Handymen who come prepared with their own set of references are usually a safe bet. If the person was also recommended to you personally by a friend or loved one, all the better.
It’s also a plus if the handyman can show you photos of similar jobs that they’ve completed in the past.
Be wary of candidates who decline to give out the contact information of their references so that you can speak to them yourself. It may mean that they have something to hide. [5]
Step 10 Ask For Proof Of Insurance
Handymen aren’t typically required to be licensed, and bonding is usually only necessary on major home improvement jobs, like add-ons and full remodels.
However, you always want to ask your handyman to supply proof of insurance upfront. At the very least, some form of general liability insurance is crucial. Worker’s compensation is also a must if the handyman has other employees working under them.
Be sure to review your candidate’s insurance policy along with the rest of their paperwork. A good general liability insurance policy will offer the contractor coverage for at least $1 million per claim.
When it comes to hiring a handyman, general liability insurance is non-negotiable, as it protects you from being saddled with legal responsibility if an accident occurs on your property. [6]
Step 11 Ask For a Contract
Once you’ve settled on a candidate, it’s time to draw up a formal contract to seal the deal. Go over your written agreement with your handyman to recap and confirm each of the main provisions, including the general timeframe, estimated cost, and payment procedures. Don’t sign the contract until you’re satisfied with the terms it lays out.
You should always request a contract if it’s your first time working with a particular handyman, even for small weekend jobs.
Your contract essentially says that the handyman promises to perform a set of agreed-upon duties in a specified time for a predetermined sum of money. A record like this can come in handy in the event that a dispute arises between you and your handyman. [7]
TIP: If you don’t want to go to the trouble of drafting up your own contract (or aren’t sure how), you can find premade forms online to print and fill out.
Step 12 ask For a Warranty
Some handymen extend homeowners the benefit of a written warranty or similar guarantee in addition to the terms of a formal contract.
This means that if the problem reoccurs or something goes wrong with a repair job within the specified warranty period, the handyman will come back and fix it at no additional cost.
If the handyman you’ve chosen to work with offers a warranty, you can rest assured that your project is in good hands.
One-year warranties are standard for most remodeling jobs and other large-scale projects.
Warranties are a sign of good faith as much as they are a way of attracting business, and are generally useful for distinguishing honest contractors from less-than-honest ones. [8]
Property Management Companies can help a property owner or investor manage every aspect of the property. What you should expect from them is limited only by you. Remember This is your property. A Property Manager Company can only do what you allow them to do.
As a handyman, I have worked with several property management companies. In my experience, they are good companies with good people who truly care. What you are about to read will help you decide if hiring a Property Management company is right for you or not.
Property Management Companies can help any property owner or investor with every aspect of managing that property by:
Advertising For Renters
Pre-Qualifying Renters
Evicting
Dealing With Default Rent
Taking Deposits
Collecting Rent
Taking Care Of Maintenance
Record Keeping
Using a Property Management Company will virtually eliminate any hands-on management of the property and leave you the property owner anonymous to the renters and free to do whatever else you want to do.
What Do Property Management Companies Charge?
This is a great question because in my experience with property management companies I feel like they don’t charge enough.
The percentage you pay will be the deciding factor of what level of management you can expect from the property management company.
For instance at the 10% level you will get the basic management services:
Full Leasing Support (1-month fee)
Single Point of Contact
Online Rent Collection
Marketing Photos and Videos
Monthly Financial Reporting
Owner Portal Access
Direct Deposit for Owner Payments
Move-in & Move-out Services
Repair Coordination
Takeover Inspection
24/7 Emergency Response
If you go the higher percentage rate you might get all the basic management services plus other services you may not want to deal with yourself. These services may or may not include (Depending On The Property Management Company):
Rental Loss Protection
Damage Protection
Evection Fees
Bill Pay Services
Escrow Account
Most property Management Companies will want you to put a minimum amount of money in an escrow account for maintenance. This is so they don’t have to keep asking for money to fix simple problems with a rental.
The escrow account will replenish when the rent is paid, so if the property Management company spent $150 in the month for maintenance this will come off your rental settlement to replenish the escrow account.
Maintenance Vendors For The Property Management Companies
Maintenance vendors are the people that the property management companies hire to do the actual maintenance work. These vendors include:
Handymen
Electrician
Plumber
Landscaper
Carpenter
Contractors
All these trades are who the property management companies use to do the maintenance work. The level of quality you will get from any vendor is the amount of money you (the property owner) are willing to spend for any project on your property.
You Get What You Pay For
Most vendors will charge $50 to $150 dollars an hour plus materials and sometimes travel time to do any maintenance work. If you tie the property management company to a small dollar figure for doing maintenance, that is the level of work you will get. This will also determine the quality of tenant you get.
I have been a handyman professionally for over two years and have worked with many property management companies. The difference to weather one property management company is better than another depends on the property owners they service.
If you are a slum lord and only want to do the bare minimum, the property management company will only allow this if they are a new or small company. They need to eat so they will cut corners to get the work done to please the property owner.
The bigger property management companies will not allow this and will not work with slum lords. They will only work with professional property owners or property investment companies that want to keep up the property.
5 Reasons To Hire A Property Management Company
Investor with more than two properties
You Live to Far From The Property to Manage it Yourself
You Don’t Like Managing Tenants
Don’t know How To Market
Know Nothing Of Tenant Laws
9 Reasons Not To Hire a Property Management Company
You Only Have One Or Two Properties
You Are Handy and Can do the Work Yourself
You live close to your properties
Love your tenants
Know Something about Real estate Tenant Law
Love Marketing your Properties For New Tenants
You Have The Time
You are Organized
Hate Giving Up Control
An example rental turnover managed by a property management company
Summary
All the property management companies I have worked with are stand up companies that really care about what they do. They are only limited by the property owners they serve.
Hiring a property management company isn’t for everyone as I have explained. If you are a property owner you must weigh the pros and cons of hiring a property management company.
If for any of the reasons listed above you decide to hire a property management company make sure you can financially do so and still be able to financially maintain the property.
I don’t know how many times I have seen tenants get upset because a property owner doesn’t have the funds to fix an annoying problem.
Owning a rental property comes with an obligation to keep up the property and keep it safe and comfortable for the tenants that pay the rent. This is your bread and butter and financial security. Treat it as such.
Resources
Feel Free to download any of the resource material below if they will help you
Before you hire a handyman for general handyman services, consider these 5 things you should know first. Why hire a handyman in the first place?
Here are the five things you should know before you hire a handyman for General Handyman Services:
Make a List Of What Needs To Be Done
Get References
Choose a Handyman That Has Insurance
Establish a Time Frame For Work To Be Completed
Get It In Writing
People just love their homes since this is a place where we belong, where we stay and most of all we feel comfortable with our family, however we get so busy with some other important things in our daily lives, we often don’t have time in doing home maintenance and repairs.
Such damages of walls or doors, fixing the roof, installing new appliances, fixing the bathroom sink, cleaning clogged pipes and many other things that are needed to be maintained or fixed that you may not have the knowledge or ability to do it yourself.
Though not all handymen are plumbers, electricians, or carpenters. Others limit their laborers to do yard work, mowing grasses, and general outdoor maintenance instead of indoor home repairs. Nevertheless, it should not be difficult to find a handyman.
General Handyman Services
Here are 5 things you need to know before you hire a home repair handyman for general handyman services.
#1: Make a list of things that is needed to be done.
Make the rounds of the house and inspect every detail that needs to be done. This way will help you figure out what a handyman needs to accomplish before contacting them, because many handymen offer different kinds of services depending on their capabilities.
By listing all things, a handyman can then determine if it suits in his abilities. Choose a handyman who has a range of skills well-suited in a field of work.
#2: Get references from a reliable sources.
It is important to get references from your relatives, friends, neighbors and coworkers if there is anybody that they can recommend. A handyman that is prompt, did quality work, and completely lived up to expectations. Referrals are always the best regardless of finding a handyman that easy but also you will know that they did a great job. But if you cannot find referrals, you can do research online. There are also sites that has reviews and ratings through that you will know if the services they offer for a handyman job is good or not.
#3: Choose a handyman that is licensed, bonded, and insured.
Licensed, bonded and insured handyman are stress free. Why? If in case they damage your property while working it will be covered by their insurance. And in the case that you chose a not licensed, bonded or insured handyman and he got injured while working in your place you will be held full liability.
#4: Establish a time frame.
You and your handyman must agree to a schedule on when to start the work and when it will most likely be finished. This is important to know when your handyman expects to be on the job. Establish a timeframe and both of you must agree on it.
#5: Get a contract in writing and request a written cost estimate For General Handyman Services.
Both of you must sign a contract in order to properly agree things and to avoid miscommunication, confusion or forgotten details. This will also serve as a proof in case any negative things or misunderstandings might happen, you will have a documented proof to take with you on court.
On the other hand, you must request a written cost estimate of the materials and the charge of labor before starting with the work. It will specify the price and time for completion.
General Handyman Services
So remember these 5 simple things before you hire a handyman for general handyman services.
Both residential and commercial building requires the experience and expertise of professional roofing contractors.
Regardless of how big or small your project is, whether it’s for roof repair or replacement, finding the right roofing contractors within your area plays an important role.
You have to understand that not all roofing contractors you find will be able to provide you with your needs that also meet your standards. Some of them may not meet your expectations, while some others charge more than what is ideal. This leaves people with a lot of questions and hesitations when finding one.
But the truth is, looking for an experienced and reliable roofing contractor doesn’t have to be that hard. By following the simple steps listed below, you will be able to find the right and the most ideal contractor that will not just meet your needs but may even exceed your expectations.
1. Make sure that you create a checklist of the things that you are looking for from roofing contractors. Most of the time, individuals are having problems determining which company or contractor to go for, simply because they have no standards to follow. To make the entire searching easier, having a list of characteristics and things to expect can help you filter out all the available contractors within your area.
2. Licensed and insured contractors are what you need. What is the importance of having a license? Definitely, this helps you understand that not everyone in the industry has the certifications to perform these tasks. A contractor that cannot present you with licensing information doesn’t deserve to do business with you. On the other hand, insured contractors play a crucial role since it gives you the peace of mind that you are not liable for any damages that may have been caused by the ongoing project. Just in case accidents happen, they are insured, and no extra cost will be shouldered by your party.
3. Excellent customer service is one of the most important things that you should not overlook. Some people tend to just hire roofing contractors because they were referred by friends and relatives, but we sometimes tend to forget to do a little bit of research about the company. As a matter of fact, we don’t even know what type of service they provide. Although it is a good thing that they were recommended by people that you trust, this shouldn’t stop you from contacting them and trying to figure out how they provide service to their clients. It can be easily determined if a contractor knows how to value his / her clients by the way they pick up the phone, and how they actually address all of your concerns.
4. Easy on a budget – this is what everybody wants. Although some people say that you get what you pay for, hence lower price means lower quality, this doesn’t apply at all times. In fact, you can find cheap contractors within your area that provide the best service, while you can find more expensive roofing services that do nothing but burn your pockets and make you spend more money than what is expected from you. Commercial and residential roofing contractors may have different tasks, but the process of filtering out and choosing the right one undergoes the same process. By following the 4 simple steps listed above, you’ll be able to find the right roofing contractor that can meet your demands, at a price you’ll both agree upon.
Getting An Accurate Roofing Quote From Roofing Contractors
One of the most important home improvement investments you can make is having new roofing installed. The roof protects your home and everything in it from the elements while shielding you from the worst of the cold and heat year-round. A top quality job can last for decades while a poorly installed or faulty one can lead to leaks, mold, mildew, and more after just a few years.
To make sure you’re getting the best, get quotes from at least three roofing contractors, and compare what they are offering. For accuracy, a reliable quote should contain several important elements, including. A Materials List From Roofing Companies. Not all shingles are created equal and even materials such as slate can vary widely in cost and quality, so be sure that you get an itemized list of all the products they’ll use from the shingles themselves to the kind of nails they’ll install.
Look for name brands, sizes, weights, and other significant details so that you can fairly compare estimates. Roof decking materials, insulation, and other factors can substantially change the price of an estimate, so ask questions if one estimate uses materials that are substantially different than those other companies recommended.
Also, ask about the manufacturers’ warranties on the products; those with longer warranties will generally last longer. Ask about the manufacturers’ warranties on the products; those with longer warranties will generally last longer. Don’t be afraid to ask roofing companies to itemize not only the materials themselves but the cost of each component. Rather than giving you one figure for everything on the list, they should break out each item with an individual price.
If most companies list your slate tiles at similar prices but one lists the cost of the same brand, style and size of slate tile substantially higher, that contractor could be padding the price they paid for the materials. Time And Labor Estimates. Even if two roofing contractors estimate that it will take four days to install your new roof, you may not be getting the same amount of labor out of them.
Do they work 8-hour days or 10-hour days? Will they be splitting their time between different jobs? Ask whether they will be assigning professional, licensed installers to do the installation or if they will be subcontracting some of the work to temporary laborers. One is less expensive but may not do the job as well, while the other will have more experience and skill.
Don’t forget that the amount of time and labor can vary widely from one job to the next, so if you’re getting quotes that are higher than your neighbors, take a closer look at your house. Do you have more gables? Is the roof steeply pitched? A more complex roof will require more time and attention from roofing contractors. Clean Up And Disposal.
The best roofing companies always clean up after themselves. If you come home to a gorgeous new roof but your yard is littered with wrappers from shingles or shakes, nails and old felt, call the installers and let them know the job isn’t done. To avoid this, make sure every quote includes the cost (if any) for clean up and disposal of all old materials and any scrap or excess new products left over from the installation.
If you’ve carefully compared quotes from several roofing contractors and still aren’t sure which to go with, ask for referrals, and contact them. Also, ask friends and relatives in the area if they are satisfied with their roof and who did the work for them.|Ask friends and relatives in the area if they are satisfied with their roof and who did the work for them.} You’ll often discover that your neighbors can give you great recommendations.
Roofing Project – Top Qualities To Look In Your Roofing Contractor
Roof Repair And Installation – Is It A Difficult Task? Installing or replacing the roofing system is one of the most complicated tasks for a homeowner. So, it’s always a good idea to hire a professional. Remember, you also have to shell out a pretty good amount of money on the installation task.
Look for a skilled and qualified roofing expert who enjoys an excellent track record of providing quality services. Qualities To Consider Before Hiring A Roofing Contractor Here are the following qualities that you should consider to hire the best roofing contractor. Have a look at them: ·
The Necessary Permits A reliable and trustworthy contractor can arrange all the necessary permits for the task. As a homeowner, you might be very well aware that it’s not an easy task to get the permit for roof renovation or repair task. You need to get special permits to carry out the roof repair or installation job. These permits from the local building authority help you to go ahead with the installation task smoothly.
Before you start looking for professional roofing contractors ask whether they have the necessary permits required for the task. If the professional asks you to get the permits on your own you should better look for some other option. It’s the responsibility of the roofing professionals to get all the permits required for the task. ·
Insurance A roofing expert must always be insured. Before you hire them for the task, you should go through the papers or documents that make sure that they will cover all the medical expenses if any mishap occurs. Never ever hire someone who fails to show you the liability and worker’s compensation insurance. In case, a roofing contractor gets injured during the installation process you will have to pay for the medical bills if he doesn’t have any insurance.
Therefore, you should always check the insurance documents of the professional to avoid such hassles. · Warranties A reputed and established expert should always give a warranty on all the services. Warranty proves that the professional can get the work done perfectly.
It is a promise to offer you the best services which will meet your expectations. Get a written contract that discusses the details of the work. Make sure that they charge the right price for the services. Conclusion By considering all the essential aspects you can hire the best professional for your roofing project. A roofing contractor with all these qualities can always make sure you with quality services.
Contact me and I will help you with an excellent referral. I have been around a while and know which roofing contractors to trust and who not to trust.
