How Do I Find a Handyman?

How Do I Find a Handyman Contractor?

A handyman, or handyman contractor, is typically a jack-of-all-trades type who completes home repairs based on a client provided by you, the client. Finding the right handyman can mean the difference between a repair done right and a repair that needs more attention down the road. Before you set out to find a handyman, check out this guide to make sure you’ve got your bases covered. 

Why Hire a Handyman Contractor? 

If your to-do list of home improvements has become overwhelming, it might be time to outsource the work. You don’t want to be giving up all of your weekends. Handymen are especially convenient because they aren’t as specialized, meaning they can complete more tasks with one visit. 

Take the following situation for example. You have a leaking bathroom faucet, a couple of missing shingles on your roof, and some chipped paint in the kitchen. You could hire a plumber, a roofer, and a painter to all come at different times, or you could hire one handy guy or gal to come by and take care of it all at once. Not only does this save time for you, but it could also save you money. 

Keep in mind that more major jobs might be out of a handyman’s ‘league,’ so to speak. If you’re concerned about this, ask the handyman for examples of prior work that is similar to the project you’re looking to complete. 

How to Find a Great Handyman 

Finding a great handyman can mean a long-term relationship that takes stress off your plate. Follow some of these tips to ensure you get the best match possible: 

Define Your Needs: Compile a list of home repairs you need done, ranked by priority. This will help you to understand whether you need a handyman or a licensed contractor that is more specialized. 

Review Multiple Options: You don’t necessarily want to hire the first handyman you come across on Google. Check out customer reviews, ask for word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and neighbors, and make sure to interview several handymen with detailed questions before hiring. 

Put it in Writing: Every handyman job should come with a written agreement. This agreement should lay out the expectations of the job, costs to complete the tasks and payment schedules. Be direct about how quickly you would like the job completed. Also, keep in mind that most confident and experienced handymen will guarantee their work for up to one year, so make sure to get this ‘labor warranty,’ if you will, in the contract. 

A Resource For You 

If you’re struggling to find a handyman in Virginia, fear not. Although we are a building company, we want to be a resource for you. 

Feel free to reach out to us with additional questions that you may have. We’d love to give you advice about handymen in your area, whether or not you might need a contractor for a more specialized job, and more! Good luck with your search. 

JP Carlton

J.P. Carlton

J.P. Carlton is the founder of Carlton Building Services, a Hampton Roads-based construction company.