- How to Hire a Handyman

- Contractors From heaven or... (funny survey)

- What to Expect From a Handyman

Hiring a Handyman

Step 1 Create a project list
Before you start your search, define your project. Outline the tasks to be done and consider the skills that are needed. Look for someone proficient in those areas. Generally, a handyman--or handywoman, as is increasingly the case--can handle a number of small tasks, like fixing a faucet, patching a hole in the wall, or installing a light fixture. He might not have the skills for more-complicated jobs, like plumbing, or electrical. For those projects, hire a person who works in the trade.

Step 2: Start your search
Word of mouth is still considered one of the best ways to find a reliable handyman. Talk with neighbors, people who live in similar houses, clerks at the local hardware store, or trade workers who have done work on your house in the past. The Web is a convenient way to find a professional, but there are some guidelines to follow to ensure a good hire.
There are franchise operations entering the market which tend to be more expensive charging an than the typical a minimum fee of $125 plus $85 an hour verse $50 per hour to $60 per hour charged by an independent handyman. While both type of operations work in much the same way, you should look for differences in how much experience they require of their handymen, how they screen employees, and how much they charge. In addition, verify how the job will be billed. Will it be hourly, hours plus materials, or a set fee for the entire job?
There are web sites that provide handyman screening and referrals are alternatives to franchise companies. Beware, these sites charge the handyman a referral fee which is passed on to you.

Step 3: Dig deep
Interview at least three handymen for the job. Find out how long each has been in the business and in what areas they specialize, and examine whether those skills match the work that needs to be done. But don't stop there. Ask for references from similar jobs and speak with previous clients to see whether they were satisfied. Ask for photos of the work, and also find out what the fees are. And be wary of companies that ask for advance deposits.
Finally, check for complaints against the company by contacting the office of consumer affairs in your state (the Consumer Action Website is a good resource for this information) or by contacting a local office of the Better Business Bureau or searching its Web site (at www.bbb.org). Remember, it's not just how many complaints have been filed against a company but also the type of complaints and whether they've been successfully resolved. "A serious red flag would be a number of unresolved complaints," says Adkins. Ask the handyman to provide evidence of liability insurance and get a written agreement detailing the work to be done, cost, and fee schedule. It also pays to verify that the handyman is licensed, though according to the Contractor's License Reference Site (at www.contractors-license.org), not all trade workers paid hourly need a license. Plumbers and electricians must be licensed, though. You'll find licensing requirements for each state on the site.

Step 4: Sign off
After all the effort of finding the right handyman, it might be tempting to relax at the end of the job. But before making the final payment, examine the work to be sure it has been done to your satisfaction and that the work area is tidy. If a handyman should fail to satisfactorily complete a job, after giving the handyman a chance to rectify the situation, you should report the problem .

Contractors From Heaven or... (funny survey)

Fourteen percent said a contractor had asked them to help with the work, 3 percent said a contractor asked them out on a date, and 4 percent said a contractor took food or drink from the refrigerator without asking. Two percent of respondents said the contractor took a nap on their bed or couch.
Sixty-four percent of respondents said contractors are "usually professional and get the job done properly and on time." However, one-fifth of homeowners said contractors are "unreliable, often late and rarely finish a job when they say they will."

The most common "contractor nightmare" that respondents reported was that a job took a lot longer than the contractor promised, with nearly half saying that had happened to them. Another common issue, reported by 30 percent: While fixing one thing, the contractor broke another.

Factors to discouraging people from hiring a contractor to do work inside their home:

Reason for choosing a particular contractor:

Nearly 40 percent of respondents said environmental considerations were not a factor in deciding whether to hire a particular contractor. However, about a third said they would be more likely to hire someone who incorporates recycling into their practices, and 15 percent said they would prefer to hire someone who uses products that reduce chemical emissions and fumes.

In most households, men and women jointly choose which contractor to hire, according to survey respondents. Twenty-three percent said a man makes the call, and 18 percent said a woman does.

SOURCE: Kimberly-Clark ProfessionalPicking a reliable contractor can be as tough as walking on nails. "Licensed" might just mean he paid a fee for his license. And the Better Business Bureau can tell you only if there are complaints about a contractor. Follow these steps to improve your odds of finding someone who will get the job done on time, on budget.

What to Expect From a Handyman

1. A handyman is defined as a person that can do the job or jobs you need done around your home.
2. A handyman is not capable of doing everything… pressuring a handyman to do work he is not comfortable with may lead to disappointment.
3. Handymen come in all flavors, sexes, ages and sizes. Not just a male profession any more, handywomen are becoming more and more common. Though many think of handymen as retirees or part-timers supplementing their incomes, the fact is that thousands of people of all ages are professional handypeople who make their living through this work!
4. So… there are professional and part-time handymen. A pro will most likely have wider experience and hence be a little more costly to hire. A part-time handyman will have a more narrow range of skills but may be more reasonably priced.