- Ask for some references and then contact them.
It wouldn’t be a big problem if a handyman is recommended by family or friends. However, when you’ve been recruited through an online ad, newspaper ad, or through the mail, it’s crucial to ask for references since you’ll be working from within a home.
- Ask the maintenance staff questions about their experience and capabilities.
How long have you been in this line of work? What jobs do you specialize in? What are your favorite jobs? Questions should be straight to the point so owners know if this person is capable of other jobs. For example, if they like you to do a particular job, like putting up adjustable shelving in the garage, it’s important to know if the handyman is capable of other crafts. When homeowners feel comfortable with the handyman, they can assign other tasks, either the same day or later.
- Learn about licensing and registration…
The rules for licensing and registration of home repair contractors differ from state to state and must be followed by any handyman. Since the “hand labor” jobs that cross over into other crafts are a bit small, the laws regarding builders and contractors may not apply to handymen in a particular area. For example, some rules depend on the average size of the job; others on the annual income of the contractor and there are states that require a license for each contractor, while some states do not require anything. The rules in some large metropolitan areas can literally vary from block to block. Other states agree to follow local governments. All this can be very confusing!
To find out the licensing requirements in a particular area, residents can ask their local building/city inspector.
- How does a handyman price his work? Do you offer quotes? Do you charge by the hour/half hour?
This is an issue that may be partly regulated by state/local government. There are states that require a written estimate for jobs that cost more than a certain dollar figure. In this way, consumers are protected from dishonest contractors who submit an estimate and then manage to charge much more.
Many handymen charge by the hour with a minimal charge. Owners should take note of a handyman’s hourly rates. Some handymen charge an hourly rate due to their popularity and overhead, to name a few.
In reality, there is little to no connection between the hourly rate and the skill of the handyman. Most of the time, pricing is not based on an esoteric formula, but rather on what the market will be able to bear, as well as competitive rates.
It would be a little scary to give authority to anyone. If they like to spend more on the job listing, they should let their handyman know beforehand. You can make them understand what is needed, what could go right and, above all, go wrong, which would cause them to go beyond their budget. When both parties are honest with their exchange of information, there will be no more surprises.