Handyman: Things To Consider When Hiring The One

For a homeowner that hasn't done the proper research, choosing a handyman can be a bit like a crap shoot. While references from family and friends, internet research, and the overall impression of professionalism put forth by the company all matter a great deal, for many people, it's the gut instinct that matters the most.

While saving money on repairs definitely counts for something, especially in today's difficult economy, trying to economize too much can lead to choosing a fly-by-night operation that isn't reliable, doesn't finish the job according to schedule, or adds all sorts of fees to the price you were quoted once the job is started. In some cases, homeowners have even experienced theft and other crime after allowing a handyman into the home.

When hiring a repair person, it's always a good idea to not simply rely on one reference from a friend, acquaintance, or family member, but ask for verifiable references from the handyman himself. Always take the time to call each reference provided, and to check with the Better Business Bureau to see if the business has had any complaints against it. If so, find out the nature of the infraction, and consider the complaint as a warning flag.

Calling a variety of handymen to get and compare estimates is an essential part of choosing someone to handle the job. Immediately discount any company that either offers you an estimate that's much higher than you've gotten from everyone else, or much lower.

The first is going to overcharge you and is likely to inflate prices on everything from tools to labor to unnecessary work that suddenly had to be done in order to finish the project. Equally damaging, the second will provide a much lower estimate in order to gain your business, but cut corners by using inferior materials or unskilled and unlicensed workers.

The best choice is one that falls firmly in the middle, but speaks to you courteously and respectfully. Some repairmen will talk down to their clients, particularly if the person hiring them is a woman. The less a client knows about the repair job, the more leeway the repairman has, and the more dependent the success or failure of the job is on his choices.

Before hiring anyone to work on repairs in the home, have a good idea about what needs to be done, and the techniques used to accomplish this. This information is often no farther away than the internet, and minimizes the potential for being misled or taken advantage of.