Throughout homeownership you will come across jobs that fall somewhere between DIY and calling out a large residential contractor. This could include things like painting, sprinkler repair, hanging shelves, or a whole host of projects around the house. Listeners reach out to Jim every week looking for his recommendations for contractors in their area, but sometimes he won’t have a local company or individual that he can confidently recommend to you. He understands it can be challenging to find the right person to do what can be considered a small job.
But, please don’t try to save money by going with a handyman when you really need a specialist. Repairs such as HVAC, foundation, plumbing and electrical should be done by a company with experienced, trained and licensed professionals.
Many times, we turn to on-line ratings to guide us, but take those with a grain of salt as those can be manipulated and misleading. Instead look to others in your community for recommendations.
Resources worth exploring when seeking a recommended contractor:
Neighbors or others in your community
Ask at a local church if any of the congregation can help with handyman repairs.
Ask at a local hardware store (best if it is a neighborhood store like Ace or True Value). They see contractors and handymen on a daily basis and will likely know someone who is experienced in your area of need.
Local senior centers often have lists of resources that include local handymen, or services that match seniors with companies that can help.
Ask trusted contractors in other areas - plumbing, AC, electrical, etc. who they might know that could help you with a particular job.
Contact a realtor who does a lot of business. Busy agents have a list of craftspeople they call upon to help them get homes ready to sell, including handymen, electricians, plumbers, roofers, and painters. A wise agent may give you a referral, hoping you’ll remember the favor if you ever need help buying or selling a home.
When talking with the contactor take time to explain your project and your expectations. Be sure to ask them about their training and experience in this area. Also, appreciate the contractor who turns down the job or is comfortable in admitting it is not an area of expertise. And be leery of the guy who re-assures you that he will “figure it out”.
Finding a great local handyman or a network of trustworthy contractors in your community can be a huge help for maintaining a home you love.