Handyman vs. Licensed Contractor

Aug 20
09:38

2010

Aaliyah Arthur

Aaliyah Arthur

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There are times to hire a licensed pro and other times when a handyman may be preferable. Here are some tips for getting the job done.

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There are definitely instances when having a handyman do some work around your house is preferable to hiring a licensed professional. At other times,Handyman vs. Licensed Contractor Articles it is very important to have a licensed contractor on the job. How does a homeowner decide between the handy individual and the pro? Here are some tips.

- Electrical: Always have electrical work done by the professionals. This housing component is actually a life and death matter for the home’s inhabitants. Electricity is a dangerous animal when not handled competently. All repairs and installations should be done by a well trained expert.

- Plumbing: Installations of pipes, septic systems and sewer hook ups should be handled by the experts. Repair jobs of existing plumbing or the installation of fixtures to a bathroom or kitchen already plumbed can be handled by a general handyperson or a competent do-it-yourselfer.

- Roofing: Since a dwelling’s roof covers all of the rooms and working systems within a house, it is important that skilled tradespersons are in charge of the task. A licensed contractor can run the job but less skilled workers can do much of the labor. Repairs can be handled by either the homeowner or the local handyperson.

- Painting and drywall: Since painting and drywall won’t cause severe damage to the abode or inhabitants if they’re not done perfectly, these tasks can be assigned to workers that aren’t certified. A botched job can be fairly easily repaired without damage to the structure or cause bodily harm to the inhabitants.

- Garage door repair: A handy repairperson that has had some experience in working with garage doors should be able to do the trick. Adjustments, maintenance and replacement of parts can all be performed by a competent technician, not necessarily a plumbing expert.

- Flooring: Laying linoleum or laminate can be handled by a do-it-yourselfer or a hired handyperson. These products require a minimum of tools when compared to other types of flooring installs. Tile and carpet installation require substantial knowledge, experience and the proper tools in order to end up with an optimum result.

Some final notes: the handyman that a homeowner hires from the “services offered” sections online or in their local newspaper may be a professional in disguise. The current economy has left many skilled tradespersons unemployed and eager to offer their expertise as a handy home repair worker. If a licensed contractor is hired, their complaint record should be thoroughly investigated with the Board of Contractors. Whomever one hires should always come with word-of-mouth recommendations.