Got repairs? Get Handyman!

You have finally done it. The kids are all packed, the dog is kennelled and in the back of the SUV, and you and the wife smile adoringly at each other as you pull into the driveway of the new home of your dreams. As the years roll by, the home of your dreams may become the home of your nightmares as locks fail, banisters loosen and fall, and the deck out back begins rotting and becomes a source of irritation rather than enjoyment. The good old days when you could ring the town operator and ask for Mr. Fix-It are gone...or are they?


How to Hire a Handyman


Organization is key when hiring a professional to do your home repairs and remodeling. This helps keep costs down and reduces the hassle of missing items that should have been included in your estimate at the time of a project bid.


Take the time to walk through your home and scan each room. Walk around the perimeter of your home and note both the house itself and the surrounding grounds.

Making a written list will help both you and your professional stay on the same page both at bid time and when subsequent work begins. A list also helps the handyman to organize his approach to the repairs and order his tasks. Enlisting a friend to accompany you in making your initial walk through and listmaking aids in seeing the real repair and cosmetic needs your home may have that you have just learned to live with over the years. When you occupy a home, you tend to forget the nagging little things that need repair but do not restrict your total enjoyment of your home.


Organize your list into sections placing rooms or areas or types of repairs into the same section, such as weatherstripping, door repairs or installation, windows and so forth.


Expect a service fee, possibly added to each visit made to conduct work. This is common in many industries such as plumbing, handyman work, etc. You only want to pay that fee once if possible and this can be done if you have several small repairs that can be accomplished in one working day. Do keep in mind some jobs take more than one day or one visit due to the nature of the repair such as drywalling. These jobs may involve several steps, to be done correctly. Do not rush the professional by attempting to have these kinds of repairs done in one day, or you may end up with work that is less than sufficient.


Checklist for Finding a Good Handyman


*Before you place the first call, walk through the home and note repairs needed or wanted.


*Get your thoughts and ideas organized and keep a list of all repairs near the phone so you will have those at hand. This will give the handyman an idea of the size job before they come to your home for a bid.


*Make a list of other repairs that may not need to be done now, but will need to be done at some time in the future. List preventative measures you may wish to take that require a bid for your consideration.


*Decide if you need to do the work all at once or in phases. If they are to be done in phases, then present those to the handyman and place them in order of your priorites.


Time for the Bid


When the handyman arrives, take him on a tour of the areas that need repairs and describe your ideas. Ask whether the handyman does this kind of job by an hourly rate or by a bid price, and keep in mind the service charge he may include. Ask for references and examples that you may can see of his prior work.


Handymen specialize in small home repairs, but many are accomplished in areas such as electrical, plumbing and carpentry. Don't be afraid to ask if they can do the "bigger" jobs...he may surprise you and say "yes"

and you will have a professional you have trusted in the small things, that can help your home come back to its former beauty in the larger jobs as well.