What to know before you hire a handyman

A good handyman not only knows how to fix that door that won’t shut, he (or she!) can also bring you peace of mind. Here are some tips for finding and hiring a handyman for the repairs needed around your house.

Ask around

This may not be the best time to Google and pick the top results. The best handymen don’t always advertise because they get so many word-of-mouth referrals. Ask your neighbors and colleagues who they trust to make repairs around their homes. Also, ask the folks at your local hardware or home improvement store for recommendations.

Interview your handyman

Before you hire anyone to do work at your home, find out about their background and experience. Do they have the skills needed for your project? Can they provide references? Be sure to follow up by contacting their references.

Request bids

The bigger the project, the more important it is to get bids from multiple handymen. Beware of handymen who overpromise, as well as those who drastically underbid. Those who charge too little may not have the skills you need or may be cutting corners.

Be respectful when asking for more

Once your handyman is at your house to stop the leaky faucet you may remember that the garage door is sticking and ask to have that remedied. Keep in mind that your handyman may have commitments to other customers today; he may have to make a return trip to do the additional work. And, if he does the extra work that day, don’t be upset if when your bill is higher than estimate for the original repair you called. Your handyman must bill for his time, effort and know-how.

There are a lot of great handymen out there. We hope you find the perfect one!
Original article here: https://www.consumerscu.org/blog/what-to-know-before-you-hire-a-handyman