We have all heard the term handyman or helper and have a basic understanding of what the job and the title entails, but there are a few key foundations and fundamental requirements that are necessary to execute the actions well.
When it comes to this industry ‘the label’ of a handyman is not necessarily a course or qualification you can apply to the university for, but it does require a certain level of knowledge for certain trade skills. Minor plumbing or electrical tasks need not only a level head and one that can problem-solve, but comprehension of the tools and equipment to complete the job.
If you are having the house updated and giving it a new lease on life with only the basics of touch-ups and repairs or replacements, then rather than hire a big brand 100-employee company to come to the house and tick off the list of tasks you have, you are best suited to search locally for a repairman.
Brand versus local.
We would all love a well-known enterprise to come and remodel the home and make it new again but in most cases, it’s simply not financially viable, also the team being sent may make light work of the to-do list and complete it within half the time. This sounds like a good thing but it also means that the full bill still needs to be paid.
Using a local community member not only supports the businesses and members in the area but word of mouth, especially so in small villages, is a great way to get the news around of someone willing to help with the basic know-how in house maintenance.
Some people may differ on this idea and that’s their entitlement, but finding a handyman doesn’t need to be a struggle. A few comments of people in similar situations, which you can read about in this blog https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-find-a-local-handyman give a few tips and pointers on what worked for them and you can conclude from there.
If the jobs you want doing require structural shifting or full garden landscaping then perhaps a larger firm would be appropriate, they will have the larger more specialized tools needed to do the job right and would have dealt with requests such as yours plenty of times before.
Unless the local gentleman has been in business for more than 5 years then the experience of working with the branded company could work to your advantage.
What to look for.
While researching on this subject a lot of conflicting opinions were recorded, tales from both sides of the coin, the pros, and cons that each choice brings to the table, and we have narrowed it down to the top few everybody considers a priority and that both sides agreed on.
There are always going to be critics and naysayers we know this, human nature likes to moan when the opportunity presents itself, so taking it all on board with an open mind and deciding what you want to achieve in terms of goals and time frame will help you make the right decision.
Handymen don’t tick all the boxes all of the time, this may be due to preference or job-specific qualifications, but at the end of the day, the foundation needs to be there to complete the majority of work.
3 Essential qualities your handyman should possess.
- Timeliness. There is nothing more frustrating than having to wait for a repairman to show up when you are already late for your morning meetings, reliability and punctuality were a well-deserved first place necessity on all fronts.
- Communication. If the person knows how business works he or she will understand how important it is to be open and honest. If the employer feels comfortable and that they can trust you and what you have to say, they will not only recommend you to their friends and family but become life-long customers of theirs with repeat business.
This is especially important when it comes to quotes and pricing, not exaggerating over extra or unnecessary parts, or saying they can do the job when they are not confident, and end up not completing it and costing you more to get someone in who can do it.
While using someone local is significantly cheaper than a larger company you need to be realistic about what you want doing and the costs to complete them. You can have them come in and quote on all the jobs and this way you can shop around for better prices or ensure the pricing is average for what is being asked and you’re not being overcharged.
A great way is to budget for it, or put funds away each month to spread the costs. See some great options here on paying for your maintenance tasks within a budget, and this way you can still spruce up the house but without the pressure of thinking you might need to remortgage to do so.
- Certified. He doesn’t needto have a Master’s degree in handyman work per se, but refresher courses and short-course certificates in a specific discipline is always a plus. They do however need to have a trade’s license to perform minor repairs and fixes according to regulation standards and that they conform to safety codes.
Handymen are a gem if you’re fortunate enough to find a good one, and all it might mean on your part is a few cups of tea and biscuits, sounds easy enough, am I right?
Final thought.
Ensure that when starting your search for the right help you have a list of what you want to achieve, this helps with sifting through the options available and refining the choices. You want the above-mentioned traits as standard and all the extras they have to offer can only work in your favor.
For help with your projects check out this site and browse the services that are offered and if they appeal to the idea you have of the work to be completed. Professionalism is a quality that should come naturally if someone understands customer service, so do your homework and get the level of workmanship you deserve.
