While homeownership is one of the most exciting things that can ever happen in your life, this also comes with some very real and serious responsibilities, particularly regular maintenance and repairs.
Surely, some of you might have been blessed with the skills required for putting down tiles or fixing leaky sinks. However, for many homeowners, these jobs are best entrusted to the hands of experts. This is where handymen come in handy.
Before you hire a handyman who can help you with any project around your home, it is important to look for someone who got the skills for getting the task done and is also trustworthy. You also have to make sure that the price is fair.
Letting a stranger into your home to do the job is never an easy decision. Check out the following tips and tricks on how to find reliable handymen.
Look for Certifications
As you interview potential candidates, be sure to ask about the certifications that they have. For example, you have to check if the prospect handyman has been certified with the local association of handymen in your area. These certifications can give you the assurance that you will hire someone who is professional, knowledgeable, and can provide customer care.
Keep an Eye Out for Communication Skills
It is best to avoid handymen who cannot communicate with you well. It is a must to work with someone who will be able to give you a clear explanation of the work he is doing and offer a timeline for its expected completion.
Prepare the Necessary Contracts
You should never hire a handyman with no signed agreement of the rates, responsibilities, and others. You can come up the contract yourself or look for a contract template online. These contracts can provide you some level of protection, particularly if this is the very first time that you will work with a certain handyman. It is also the best time for you to inquire about the project’s warranty.
Request for Free Quotes
Remember that you don’t need to pay just to receive a quote. These days, it is common courtesy to receive free quotes. You should never waste any minute on a handyman who already asks you for money just to see your property.
Gauge the Honesty
One of the best signs of a reliable handyman is someone who is honest with you all the time. If they have never tried building a deck before, the last thing you want is for them to handle the project. You would like a handyman who will point you to someone else to do the work.
Verify the Insurance Coverage
It is usually best to ensure that the handyman you will work with is insured so they will be covered in case they accidentally cause damages to your property or get hurt during the job.
Inquire about Receipts
Ask ahead of time if the handyman offers a receipt. There are reasons why you should do this. First is the fact that these receipts let you monitor the flow of money and offer proof of the contract’s completion. One more reason for getting a receipt is that you can use it for verifying a tax deduction when you are paying for work on a home office or investment property.