Just about every homeowner, save for the most talented repair experts, are going to need the services of a handyman once in a while.
Establishing an ongoing working relationship with a handyman or repair expert is an excellent idea. If you call upon someone regularly, he or she will make your repairs a priority and they may also give you discounts because you’re a regular source of income for them.
But that doesn’t mean you should call the first handyman you come across, as this person will be an important aspect of the proper functioning of your home. Here are some things to consider as you look for a handyman.
What is a Handyman?
There is no firm definition, but in general, a handyman can make basic repairs in pretty much all areas of your home. Some things they handle are fixing leaky faucets, changing locks, cleaning gutters, painting, door installation and more. But if you need major plumbing work or new gutters, you’d want to call people with expertise in those areas.
Do Your Research
Searching websites like Angie’s List and Yelp is a great way to kick off your search. There may also be Facebook pages devoted to your new neighborhood. Sign up and post something about being new in town and how you’re looking for someone who can make repairs in your home. Also, ask your new neighbors if they have any suggestions, as they may know someone local with quality work and great rates.
What to Consider
Obviously, the quality of work is important, but there are other things to think about. For example, when you first reached out to the person, how quickly did it take for them to respond to you? Were they on time? Did they give you an estimate? Did they clean up after doing the job? Assess whether or not you think the person is someone you can rely on for future work.
It’s all about knowing that when something goes wrong with your home, as it inevitably will, that you know the job will get done well, efficiently and at a fair price.
