Nowadays, we all face the need to repair broken furniture, leaky faucets or install a TV mount from time to time. Although some things can be easily fixed without external help, sometimes a professional’s help is inevitable. Luckily, with the Internet, handyman services are now more accessible than ever. From hanging pictures to doing difficult repair jobs, most handymen are well-qualified and provide a wide range of services.
Of course, some handymen are specialized in specific skills, so it’s a good idea to know what you’re looking for in the first place. On the other hand, not every handyman has the required expertise to fix your problems. For this reason, it’s important to evaluate your needs and the options you have in order to find the right handyman to do your job.
In order to help you in your quest, we have compiled a shortlist of facts and tips on how to find a professional local handyman. After all, when looking for someone to help you in your home improvement, it’s essential to make sure that you are well-informed.
What’s a Handyman and What Can Handyman Services Offer?
In short, a handyman is someone who can complete a wide range of repairs in the home improvement field. Logically, this service usually charges an hourly rate or by the job. Depending on the difficulty, some may charge extra money for the task. Also, there are additional expenses, like material costs or travel expenses.
Because handymen cover a wide range of home repair and installation services, a good tip is to compile a list of two or more repairs and then hire a handyman to do everything in a single visit. However, it’s also a good idea to be aware of the things a handyman can fix at your home.
- Minor plumbing: Probably the most common jobs handymen are hired to do have to do with minor plumbing issues like installing new fixtures or repairing leaky faucets.
- Caulking: Pretty self-explanatory, caulking provides additional energy efficiency and lowers utility costs so adding fresh caulk to gaps between windows and doors is a job that a handyman can do for you.
- Woodwork: Of course, repairing broken boards, applying finish or sealant on wooden decks and porches are all a good way for a handyman to upgrade your porch’s appearance.
- Gutters: A quite messy task, cleaning gutters and installing gutter guards can be done by a handyman in order to prevent clogging.
- Exterior and interior: There are always some minor exterior damages that need to be repaired. Also, you might not be an expert at painting or refurbishing small scuffs and etc., so it might be a good idea to hire a handyman to do these for you.
- Small jobs: This includes everything from hanging pictures and windows to installing light fixtures and TV mounts.
How to Find the Best Handyman Service
To begin with, you can talk to a few candidates before hiring one. We suggest you choose a local service that’s close to your home. There are also several more things that you should bear in mind when picking a choice.
Be practical
Know exactly why you are hiring a handyman. As mentioned above, you can compile a list of the repairs you want to get completed. Take into consideration that handymen can only help you with small jobs and if the jobs require pulling a permit, you should consider hiring a licensed contractor.
Ask around
As plain as it may sound, if you’re looking for a quality service of any kind, then you should ask your friends and family about if they have used handyman services before. Chances are high that they will provide you with useful information but remember that it’s your responsibility to use it in the right way.
Search online
Of course, one way to use the information from word of mouth is to go online and lookup for particular handymen or home improvement contractors. The good thing is that all professionals have their online websites or contact information. What’s more, there are tons of websites that specialize in listing a wide range of local home improvement contractors. Most importantly, there are online reviews from previous clients which can tell a lot about the quality of work each particular handyman provides.
Insist on a written agreement
After you have discussed the details of the job, you should insist on getting everything on paper. This may include the description of the job, the cost, and the payment schedule. It is recommended so as to make everything clear and to get your guarantees in writing.
Cost and insurance
Last but not least, it’s vital to know how much the task will actually cost. This should be done so as to prevent any exploits or scams. Also, you should compare the price the handyman gives you with the prices of other handymen. A good tip is to ensure that the service is neither too cheap, nor too expensive. In most cases, handymen don’t have to be licensed. However, it’s important to make sure your handyman is insured because it can save your property if any accident occurs.
Evaluate the work
Always inspect the completed task before paying for the service. Ensure that everything has met your requirements. Generally, most handymen will be happy to explain everything that has been done because they simply want their clients happy.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, it’s always a bit of a challenge to find the right professional to do even the simplest job in your home. If you’ve got an ever-increasing to-do list of home improvements like changing a faucet, replacing missing shingles or painting the kitchen wall, then you can easily hire a plumber, a roofer or a painter to do the job for you. However, these often have conflicting schedules. For this reason, a handyman can do all three jobs all at once and at a single visit which makes it a practical and easy solution to your problems.
If you’re looking for quality handyman service in your local area, SGHomeNeeds is a platform that offers handyman services in Singapore. There you can check out the best options available on the market as well as feedback from previous customers.
