6 Things to Know Before You Hire a Handyman - Association of Certified Handyman Professionals

There comes a time you may need some help with repairs and maintenance issues around the house. If you don’t have the skill set or ability to do the projects yourself, it’s a good idea to contact a handyman professional to help you out.

Not all handymen and handywomen have the same skills, so make sure you find one who can complete the projects you need done. Some excel at yard work and exterior home maintenance, and others are better suited for indoor home repairs. Regardless of what you need done, you can usually find a handyman professional who is able and willing to paint your living room, tighten a loose banister, or paint your front door.

Before you actually hire a handyman to assist with things around the house, take a look at these 6 things you should do and know.

Make a list of the tasks you want done.

Prior to contacting a handyman, make a list of exactly what you want done. Make sure you are upfront with your expectations to help the handyman gauge if the tasks are within his realm of abilities.

Seek reliable local references.

One thing to ease your mind is to hear the raving review from your neighbor about a handyman who was prompt and impressed her. Word-of-mouth is one of the best ways to find an excellent handyman professional. Once you contact a handyman, make sure you can get at least three good references to contact before you make your decision.

Utilize local resources to find the best candidates.

Turn to places like your newspaper, Craigslist, or a neighborhood Facebook page to get referrals of reliable handyman professional in your area. Keep an eye out or flyers or bulletin boards, too. Make sure you check out the Better Business Bureau and Yellow Pages listings and find out if the handyman has an ACHP handyman certification – an established handyman will make sure he is well known in the community and aim to get certifications to better him or herself.

Confirm your handyman is insured.

A handyman working on your property should be licensed, bonded, and insured. If they are not and become injured injured, you will be fully liable. Reputable handymen and handywomen also carry insurance to cover them if they cause any damage to your property.

Request estimates for labor and materials prior to starting any projects.

Request an estimate before you hire a handyman, and explain that it should be within 10 percent of the final cost. Make sure you come to an agreement before hand so they know upfront that you will pay no more than a specific amount of money. If the estimate requires the handyman to go shopping, be prepared to pay a wage for their effort.

Get a contract in writing.

A written agreement prevents confusion, forgotten details, and any possible miscommunications. This clearly defines what you expect and if, for some reason, the handyman fails to hold up his end of the deal you have documented proof to use as needed.

It’s very smart to set some guidelines and get all of your ducks in a row prior to hiring on a handyman. Make sure to interview at least three professionals, ask a myriad of questions, and ensure that he or she will stand behind the work.