Looking for a handyman can be challenging if you’re unsure what to look for, so you need a guide covering the key elements to consider. Look no further. Today’s blog covers everything you need to know about picking the right handyman, from experience to skill to pricing and availability.
Whether you need help with a minor repair or a major renovation, having the right person on your side can make all the difference. So, let’s get started and find the perfect handyman for your next project.
What Can a Handyman Do?
For some jobs, you need a contractor licensed in a specific area to do work for you. An electrical contractor is an example of this. But handymen can do a number of jobs that require skill but not a license. The handyman job description is vast. A handyman can:
- Install shelves inside cabinets. Say you need extra shelving in your breakroom kitchen cabinets. A handyman is perfect for this kind of task.
- Hang pictures or curtains. No one wants to look at bland walls all day long. But if you don’t have the right tools or don’t want to hang pictures or curtains by yourself, you’re not alone. Millions of people are in the same boat and hire someone else to do the work. A handyman is a great choice.
- Paint. Painting is a long, tedious process that must be done right, or you’ll be able to tell that it was done wrong. A handyman can do the job, whether you’re touching up a spot that got messed up or remodeling an office space.
Having said that, we recommend hiring a painting crew if you need your entire office painted. A handyman would be stretched thin with a whole office project unless they worked with a team.
- Caulk. While it might not seem like a big deal if you have old caulking in your building, it actually does make a difference in your business’s energy efficiency. Caulking around windows, doors, and siding should help, and it’s a task a handyman can do.
- Assemble furniture. Not only is it time-consuming to assemble furniture, but those instruction manuals can be nearly impossible to read. Leave the frustration to a handyman!
- Set up holiday displays. If you’re afraid of heights but want your business to look like a winter wonderland, all decorated for the holidays, hire a handyman to put up the lights and decorations for you.
- Assemble a swing set or treehouse. Similar to furniture assembly, a swing set or treehouse can be just as, if not more, complex. A handyman is a perfect person to hire for treehouse assembly, especially if you run a daycare with an outdoor play area.
- Clean out gutters. Cleaning your gutters is essential, but it’s dangerous. It involves climbing on the roof at least twice a year. Depending on where you live, you might need to clean them every month. Yikes! Hire a handyman for this job so you can stay safe with your feet planted firmly on the ground.
- Do minor woodwork. If loose boards are at your business’s entrance (or anywhere on the premises), you’ll want to get those fixed immediately. A handyman can get the job done.
Now that you know the type of work you can trust a handyman with, let’s look at the questions you should ask a handyman before hiring them.
Questions to Ask the Handyman
- “What kind of work do you do?” A handyman is equipped to handle various big and small projects, making them valuable assets for property managers and business owners.
However, it’s important to note that, while a handy man can have a broad set of skills, they might have a specific skill set they prefer to use. For this reason, don’t just assume a handyman can do anything. Ask them what they do, and ensure they’re a good fit for what you need.
- “Do you have local references?” It is always a good idea to ask a handyman for references before hiring them. Talking to past clients can give you an idea of their work quality, reliability, and overall customer satisfaction. Ask for recent and previous references to get a well-rounded view of the handyman’s work history.
- “Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?” There’s always the chance that something could go wrong, as with any work done. Having licensed, bonded, and insured handyman protects you if that happens.
- “How much do you charge for labor and materials?” The hourly rate for labor and cost of materials should be part of the handyman’s quote. You’ll want details on minimum charges, flat rates for services, etc. Understanding their pricing structure will help you accurately budget for the project, so don’t be afraid to ask.
- “How long will it take to finish this work?” You’ll likely have to coordinate details with your staff, so getting an estimated timeline for completing the work is important. You’ll also want updates if potential delays or additional factors could impact the completion time.
- “Do you have a written contract?” Before the handyman starts, you’ll want a written contract outlining the project’s scope, estimated timeline, and total cost. A written contract provides a clear understanding of expectations and protects both parties involved.
- “Do you provide a guarantee?” You’ll want details on what their guarantee covers and how long it is effective for. You need the work to be performed at a high standard. Having that guarantee in place provides peace of mind. If the handyman doesn’t provide a guarantee, you might want to look into other options.
- “Do you work by yourself or with other handymen?” You’ll want to know how many people to expect at your business. This will also dictate how long the project takes to complete.
Getting answers to all of these questions will help you find the right handyman.
Hire a Handyman from Town & Country Office Cleaning
Town & Country Office Cleaning is an expert at providing skilled handymen for all your commercial service needs. We’re located in San Jose, California, and serve the greater San Francisco Bay Area. We take the guesswork out of hiring a handyman. Contact Town & Country Office Cleaning to schedule your handyman services today.