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| | | Loosely defined, a handyman performs a wide range of basic home maintenance and repairs ranging from simple ones like fixing a squeaky door, hanging storm windows, to more complex projects like installing cabinets or weatherproofing. A lot depends on the expertise of the individual handyman or service company and the desires of the homeowner. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Traditionally most handymen worked independently, setting their own hours and rates and gaining reputations by word of mouth. In the last few decades, professional handyman "services" have sprung up, either as local businesses with teams of employees or as a national chain.
- Expect to pay about $30 -$50 an hour for an independent handyman in rural or less expensive areas and $40 -$60 an hour in more urban locations or regions with a higher cost of living. These rates are just average estimates, and will vary considerably by region and by individual worker. Some handymen charge a lump sum for a specific project, depending on the complexity.
- Depending on the skills needed, rates run $60 -$125 an hour for a professional handyman company. There's often a $150 -$350 minimum charge and there can be a $30 -$100 "trip" charge (if the worker needs to go buy materials). A professional handyman company usually has several employees, providing a wider range of skills, and screens employees for experience and reliability.
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| What should be included: | - Make a list of everything that needs doing, because it's usually cheaper to have it all done at once rather than as separate small projects. Ask if you can purchase basic supplies on your own time instead of paying the handyman to drive to get them.
- It's not always cheaper to hire a handyman instead of a licensed specialist to perform extensive plumbing or electrical projects, or other complex work. A handyman could be unfamiliar with what's needed and take a lot longer to do the job. In some states handyman can work without a contractor's license as long as they stick to minor repair work, but bigger jobs usually require a contractor's license. Check with local and state officials.
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| Discounts: | - Some agencies offer free or low-cost home repairs for low-income seniors; check with your local senior center or department on aging, but be aware that these programs frequently have a waiting list.
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| Shopping for a handyman: | - The Colorado Springs Gazette details questions to ask when hiring a handyman and lists common scams. Experts warn against scam artists who operate with little more than a truck, tools and cell phone; they collect deposits and then leave town without doing the work.
- For referrals to a good local handyman, check with friends and relatives or ask for recommendations from a locally owned hardware store or real estate management firm. If you pick a handyman from a phone listing (without any sort of word-of-mouth recommendation), some experts suggest checking with local law enforcement for a police record.
- When using a service, ask about turnover rates and how they screen their employees.
- Whether using an independent handyman or a nationally-linked service, get several estimates and a final written bid/contract that specifies what work will be done, including start and finish times, payment schedules, type of materials used and who will provide them, and whether the handyman will pull the necessary permits for a larger project.
- Even an independent should be bonded and have a business license as well as liability and workers' compensation insurance. Request at least three references and check them all. If applicable, check whether the handyman is licensed in your state. See if there are any complaints with the Better Business Bureau.
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Article updated February 2008 |
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