Everything you need to know about finding a Handyman

Home maintenance is vital, not only to keep your home in top condition, but also to pick up problems early before they become larger and therefore more difficult and expensive to correct. Some tasks you will be able to do yourself but a home handyman is a great alternative if you are unable to or simply don’t have the time to carry out home maintenance yourself.

What Handymen Can Do

With a few exceptions, handymen can carry out a wide variety of home maintenance tasks including:

• Painting
• Plastering
• Carpentry
• Pressure cleaning
• Door fitting
• Fitting door locks
• Installing smoke detectors
• Repairs and maintenance of tiling
• Repairs and maintenance of decking
• Installation of sheds and cubbyhouses
• Installing sprinkler and irrigation systems
• Cleaning
• Driveway re-sealing
• Gardening
• Gutter cleaning
• Lawnmowing

Basically, a handyman will do the jobs that you are unable to do yourself but which you do not need a specialised professional for. A handyman will also be able to do more than one maintenance task around the home in the same visit, where if you hire a specialised professional, you may need to hire two or more.

What Handymen Can’t Do

While there is a lot that handymen can do, there are also things that they cannot. Your handyman should never attempt any work that may affect the structural soundness of your house. Also, they should not do any electrical or plumbing work, as only licensed professionals should do this work. Employ a licensed electrician to do any electrical work, even if it is as minor as replacing a power cord or adding a new power socket. Licensed plumbers should also be employed for the majority of plumbing work around the house; however, handymen can do minor jobs such as changing tap washers etc.

Considerations

As with any professional, take the time to get several quotes and ask what guarantees they provide in terms of the work that they complete. Ask for references from previous clients. Don’t necessarily go with the handyman that gives you the cheapest price for you need to feel comfortable with them and their services.

Handymen also need to hold the relevant insurances and always ask to see the certificates before they complete work. They should be accredited and hold the appropriate qualifications to carry out their tasks.

©A Man at Hand Property Maintenance

How Much Does a Handyman Cost?

Handyman services will charge by the hour and base their cost on the job involved. Expect to pay in the region of $45 to $100 per hour depending on the location and experience of the handyman. By using this figure you can determine the rough cost of quicker simple jobs and longer more involved jobs. While some handymen will be able to quote over the phone, others may require a site inspection - remember to check whether there is a charge for this.