How to Find an Honest Handyman

Whether the job is large or small, many homeowners and building landlords find themselves in need of general repairs every so often. Unfortunately, unless you have time, skills, and the proper set of tools, those seemingly small jobs can be daunting without help. It is during these such times that we find ourselves looking for a reliable and honest handyman. However, many of us have no idea how to go about finding someone to tackle the odd jobs around our home, let alone find one that will do the job right for the right price. This article will outline a few tips and tricks that will help make your search easier.

First off, the best place to find honest help is usually the recommendation of friends or family. Close friends, family members and neighbors should be able to tell you who did good work for them recently and why they liked them. Friends and family are also likely to refer you to someone that treated them fairly and who they thought charged them a decent price. Be sure to ask what specific types of work the handyman did for them since your needs may differ.

Another resource for finding a handyman may be your local hardware department store or building depot. These types of stores often have bulletin boards where individuals or companies can advertise their services. Check with the employees to see if they know anything about local individuals or companies and whether or not they have particular recommendations. Hardware store employees often work closely with local contractors and can tell a lot about a person by the way they treat them in the store. You will want a person working on your project that is friendly and personable as well as efficient, knowledgeable and professional. 

Other resources for listings include newspaper ads and classifieds. These can be unreliable and unverifiable, but may be a good place to start if the first two suggestions come up short. Whoever you enlist should have a contractor license number that you can check against state regulations at the very least and ensure that the individual or company is qualified to perform the work that they say they can perform for you.

Often it is best to start thinking about finding someone to help with your project before you really need one. If you look to establish a handyman relationship before an emergency comes up, you will be better able to negotiate price and take the time to find one you like. However, if you are stuck in an emergency situation, you may end up paying a lot of money or having to settle for the first person that you find available for the job.

Keep all of these things in mind when searching for an honest handyman for your next home or business project. Taking the time to do your homework and a little research up front will go a long way to ensuring you are happy with the work for years to come.