Handyman

7 Tricks to Contemplate When Hiring a Handyman

Is your to-do list piled up with small (but extremely annoying) tasks like repairing broken windows, replacing old ceiling fans with palm leaves, or repairing broken sprinkler systems? We get it: you want to do it all yourself, but even the toughest handyman comes to a point where it’s time to give up control.

Stop fretting about your never-ending weekend projects and hire a handyman to do those annoying chores. Just make sure you treat the professional well. Here are seven tips to keep your practical friend happy.

1. Your local hardware store can be your secret weapon

Finding a handyman you trust is the best way to guarantee great results – and if you are not handy yourself, it could be a daunting challenge.

Contact your local hardware store for recommendations. Not only can it suggest reliable professionals, but it can also give some insight into their financial proficiency: are their accounts in good working order?

“If he pays his bills and has his money under control, that’s a sign that the rest is fine,” he says Rusty Meador, a professional contractor and handyman in Leland, NC.

2. You don’t have to study before your handyman arrives

If you don’t know how to build a door jamb or what are the best methods to repair that hole in drywall from your son’s illegal indoor pickup soccer game, don’t get lost in a how-to YouTube spiral. Your craftsman will be happy to explain the details and his approach to you.

“Everyone has different technical skills,” says Meador. “It is not reasonable to expect a homeowner to know everything.”

If you lack that detailed understanding, explain exactly what you are looking for so that your handyman can find the best solution for your situation.

“The more a customer tells us what they want and why, the better it is for both of us,” he says Jeff Schwartz, a Miami contractor at JS Construction 2 and Handy.

3. But you should disappoint – otherwise you’ll end up paying

A tidy home not only ensures that a project is completed quickly and without incident, it also prevents you from paying the craftsman’s hourly rate for basic cleaning.

“If the workspace is set up before your professional gets to your home, all of the time is spent getting the job done,” says Schwartz.

When you install new fittings in your living room, clear the floor for your ladder. If you are replacing the tiles in your breakfast nook, move the table beforehand.

4. Keep him out of your spousal disputes

If you are not the only decision maker in the household, make sure that you and your partner agree on what services you want to provide.

“There’s nothing worse than the woman who tells you to do something the husband won’t pay for, or vice versa,” says Meador.

Before adding items to the work order, make sure everyone understands what it can cost and how much time the service will take.

“Don’t put me in the middle of your relationship problem,” he says.

5. Know if your pet is a runner

Wannabe escape puppies are the biggest problem for craftsmen. Because they keep opening the door to tools and fuel, it’s unfair to hold them responsible for keeping your runaway dog ​​inside.

“We’re there to do a job,” says Meador. “We’re not there to constantly worry about the dog getting out.”

6. Add-ons are not free

Your handyman may say “yes” when you ask if they can touch up the waterproofing of the bathroom while they’re around – but that doesn’t mean they won’t charge a fee for it.

“Always ask,” Is it going to cost more? “Says Meador. Otherwise, you risk a misunderstanding as the handyman thinks you want to pay him for the extra work and you think he is doing some extra service.”

They are not: every project has a price. So make sure you and your professional agree on the fee before proceeding.

7. Communicate the details

Try as he could, your handyman is not a mind reader. How would he know you would like the shelves of your new installation to be exactly 18 inches apart unless you tell him?

“It is your responsibility to ensure that these requirements are communicated on a drawing or on paper before you begin work,” says Meador.

And don’t be afraid to speak up before, during and after the project if you don’t like something.

“When a customer is clear about what they want, provides precise and detailed instructions and gives feedback on the completed task,” says Schwartz, “it makes my work far less stressful.”

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