Factors to Help You Determine if You Need a Handyman

If you are handy around the house, you more than likely take pride in your DIY projects. However, being successful in tiling or painting does not mean you can do every home improvement project.

At Bob’s Handyman Services, we know that sometimes, remodelling or complex repairs require a handyman, and turning it into a DIY project can backfire. 

Specialised Licence

Simple DIY projects like painting walls, changing tiles, and odd jobs don’t require a licence, but making a difference between a good and bad electricians, sure does. While you can learn to complete even complex repairs around your home, some tasks need professional services and a valid licence. 

For instance, if you are repairing your home’s electrical system, you need to follow British electrical standards to avoid attracting fines and invalidating your insurance cover. Moreover, if the work involves gas components, then you will need to hire a handyman who is registered with the gas safety register. 

Hiring professional handymen ensures quality work since we are experienced and knowledgeable in various projects, says Ray Brosnan, the owner of Brosnan Property Solutions, who has a team of handymen that serve his region of operation.

Although accredited gas safety engineers are known for performing gas safety inspections for landlord gas certificates, you must get one if your work has a gas component, e.g. if your boiler can only be repaired by breaking the combustion chamber seal. 

A handyman usually has a permit to perform the tasks without causing future problems. Before contacting a handyman, confirm with the local authority if the repair needs a licence or permission. 

Specialised Tools

If your remodelling project involves knocking out walls, you need specific tools to make your job easier. Chances are you won’t have those tools on hand, and buying them is costly. 

Instead of using the wrong equipment, you can hire a handyman with the right tools of the trade. A handyman will have specialised equipment for their area of expertise, which means you don’t have to stretch your budget to buy the tools.

The Complexity Of The Job

When you have significant repairs to handle, you may think about hiring a contractor. 

However, if the tasks are unrelated, you will need different specialists for each job, which can be costly. On the other hand, a handyman can complete multiple unrelated repairs, saving you time and money. Most handymen are general contractors who work alone and offer expert services on various remodels and home repairs. 

You should be careful when hiring a handyman for some jobs like electrical wiring, locksmiths, appliance repair, and plumbing. Ensure they have proper training and expertise to handle the tasks.

What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Handyman?

Are you wondering whether to take on a DIY project or hire a handyman? Here are the reasons why the latter is the best option:

Saves Time

If you are not a professional, completing some repairs takes more time. That means you must carve out time from your busy schedule to work on the repairs. If you have a hectic routine, the last thing on your mind will fix faucets or replacing tiles during your free time. 

Having a handyman to complete home repairs frees up your time to spend with your family. Besides, a professional knows what to do, has the right tools and can fix the problems in half the time.

Saves Money

When you tackle repair jobs, you may think you are saving money, but you could end up spending more. 

For instance, if the project needs some products, you will get them at retail rates, unlike a handyman who gets them at lower business rates, comments handyman professional Tom Hawk. You also spend money on tools, and you are likely to make mistakes that will increase your repair costs. Therefore, paying a handyman a few hours is cost-effective compared to wasting time and resources trying to complete the task.

Peace of Mind & Stress-free Experience

Handymen are professionals and strive to provide exceptional services since their work relies on their reputation. You can be stress-free knowing that your repairs will be completed while you finish other tasks on your to-do list. You can also forget the headaches associated with renovation and DIY projects since the handymen will take care of minor repairs.

Extensive Skills & Specialised Services

Even if you have extensive knowledge of DIY projects, you are unlikely to have specialised skills in all aspects of repairs.

On the other hand, Handymen have extensive experience in plumbing, roofing, woodwork and electrical wiring.

Hence, they can complete minor repairs quickly and efficiently. With their expertise in repairs, they can inform you of other underlying issues in your building, and this saves you money since you can fix potential problems beforehand.

Handymen Have Tools & Equipment

In DIY projects, you spend a lot of time and money shopping for tools to complete the repairs. Fortunately, handymen come with their tools, and you don’t have to worry about buying new tools for every repair or renovation project.

Questions to Ask When Hiring a Handyman

1. What Specialities do You Have?

Handymen are jack of all trades, but you should ensure they handle the repairs and renovations you need. Knowing their speciality also helps you plan future projects with them.

2. Which Licences & Insurances do You Have?

If you need electrical wiring or roofing repairs, the handyman needs a licence to perform specialised services. If a handyman sustains an injury in your home and does not have insurance, you will be liable for the damages.

3. Do You Have Local References?

Local references act as a portfolio of the handyman’s work. You should ask for references or previous customers who can vouch for their services on similar repairs. Since you will be inviting a stranger to your home, you need to check their reviews.

4. What is the Timeline for the Project?

A handyman should give you an estimated time for completing the project. If they are specific with the timeline, you can make plans and gauge milestones based on the completion dates.

5. Do You Sub-contract Work?

It is essential to find out if other people will work in your home. If you are not comfortable with subcontractors, you can ensure the handyman supervises the project to meet your standards.

6. How do You Determine the Charges?

Confirm if the handyman charges on an hourly basis or per project. It will help you budget and compare rates with other service providers.

7. What is Your Payment Schedule?

Check if the handyman wants you to pay upfront or fund specific milestones. You should also talk about ways to factor in additional charges and materials costs.

8. Do You Provide a Written Contract?

You need to sign an agreement to ensure everyone fulfils their obligations during the project.

9. How Many Projects Are You Working on at the Moment?

While a handyman can do multiple projects simultaneously, you need to determine if they can dedicate sufficient time to your work.

Conclusion

Keep your home in good shape by hiring a handyman when you don’t have the time and expertise to handle repairs and home maintenance. The experts have the required skills to complete a job efficiently using the right tools.