Unfortunately, we can’t do everything ourselves, sometimes we need help, and sometimes we need to hire that help. Hiring a handyman is necessary when you’re in need of that support. A handyman or handywoman is a “jack-of-all-trades” so to speak. They are a person who is well versed in almost everything when it comes to home improvement or repair. Learn more about a handyman and when you need to hire one.
Handyman vs. Contractor
Determining whether you should hire a handyman or a contractor is based on the scope of the job. What is the job? Does it require more than one person? If the tasks are smaller jobs that you could probably do yourself, bring in a handyman to get the job done quickly and efficiently. Bring in a contractor for work that requires remodeling or redesign. The contractor will help you with your plans and make them come to life.
Why a handyman?
You may be wondering, “why would I hire a handyman if I can do the job myself?” the answer is simply to get things completed. Yes, some things can be done on your own but the never ending “honey-do list” may never deplete if you try and accomplish everything by yourself. Hiring a handyman is perfect for people who have recently moved into an older home but have an abundance of updates and fixes that need to be done or people who are currently going through a busy time in life but have some touch ups to do around the house. A small list of things a handyman can help with, include;
- Minor plumbing issues
- Painting and touch-ups around the home
- Home exterior repairs
- Cleaning out the gutters
- Repairing your deck or porch
Tips when hiring a handyman
Like hiring a contractor, you should do some serious research before you hand over a cheque. A handyman may be doing smaller jobs, but they really make a difference in your home, so you want to make sure they are being done properly.
- Define your project in great detail to make sure it’s done properly the first time
- Ask around for the best handyman you can find – don’t be afraid to ask for references and reviews
- Watch out for scammers – a good handyman won’t expect payment until after the job is complete
- A contract should always be signed to establish an agreed upon rate, job details and the time frame of how long the task should take
- Inspect the work before the handyman leaves to ensure that the job is done to your satisfaction – if it isn’t, talk to them – they want you to be happy with their work and use them again in the future
Cover photo courtesy of Life Hacker
