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Cleaning and Organizing Tips and Articles
Got repairs? Get Handyman!
You have finally done it. The kids are all packed, the dog is
kenneled and in the back of the SUV, and you and the wife smile
adoringly at each other as you pull into the driveway of the new
home of your dreams. As the years roll by, the home of your
dreams may become the home of your nightmares as locks fail,
banisters loosen and fall, and the deck out back begins rotting
and becomes a source of irritation rather than enjoyment. The
good old days when you could ring the town operator and ask for
Mr. Fix-It are gone...or are they?
How to Hire a Handyman
Organization is key when hiring a professional to do your home
repairs and remodeling. This helps keep costs down and reduces
the hassle of missing items that should have been included in
your estimate at the time of a project bid.
Take the time to walk through your home and scan each room. Walk
around the perimeter of your home and note both the house itself
and the surrounding grounds.
Making a written list will help both you and your professional
stay on the same page both at bid time and when subsequent work
begins. A list also helps the handyman to organize his approach
to the repairs and order his tasks. Enlisting a friend to
accompany you in making your initial walk through and list
making
aids in seeing the real repair and cosmetic needs your home may
have that you have just learned to live with over the years.
When you occupy a home, you tend to forget the nagging little
things that need repair but do not restrict your total enjoyment
of your home.
Organize your list into sections placing rooms or areas or types
of repairs into the same section, such as weather-stripping, door
repairs or installation, windows and so forth.
Expect a service fee, possibly added to each visit made to
conduct work. This is common in many industries such as
plumbing, handyman work, etc. You only want to pay that fee once
if possible and this can be done if you have several small
repairs that can be accomplished in one working day. Do keep in
mind some jobs take more than one day or one visit due to the
nature of the repair such as dry walling. These jobs may involve
several steps, to be done correctly. Do not rush the
professional by attempting to have these kinds of repairs done
in one day, or you may end up with work that is less than
sufficient.
Checklist for Finding a Good Handyman
*Before you place the first call, walk through the home and note
repairs needed or wanted.
*Get your thoughts and ideas organized and keep a list of all
repairs near the phone so you will have those at hand. This will
give the handyman an idea of the size job before they come to
your home for a bid.
*Make a list of other repairs that may not need to be done now,
but will need to be done at some time in the future. List
preventative measures you may wish to take that require a bid
for your consideration.
*Decide if you need to do the work all at once or in phases. If
they are to be done in phases, then present those to the
handyman and place them in order of your priorities.
Time for the Bid
When the handyman arrives, take him on a tour of the areas that
need repairs and describe your ideas. Ask whether the handyman does
this kind of job by an hourly rate or by a bid price, and keep in
mind the service charge he may include. Ask for references so that
you may be able to see examples of his prior work.
Handymen specialize in small home repairs, but many are
accomplished in areas such as electrical, plumbing and
carpentry. Don't be afraid to ask if they can do the "bigger"
jobs...he may surprise you and say "yes"
and you will have a professional you have trusted in the small
things, that can help your home come back to its former beauty
in the larger jobs as well. |
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