Tips for Finding the Best Handyman or Contractor
Whether you are fixing a broken door or remodeling your entire house, it is important to ensure that the job is done by the right person. When you don’t get the right person for the job, you risk ending up with damages, poor finishes or even finding yourself in court. This is the key reason why you should take your time when hiring professionals for both small and big projects. To ensure you get the right handyman or contractor, consider the following tips.
Ask for People You Know
The easiest way to locate a contractor is to ask the people you know. If your neighbor or friend has done a project recently, ask them for the name of the contractor who helped them out. You could also ask for help from other professionals you have worked with, such as your interior decorator.
Search the Internet
Next, do some internet research. Most contractors and handymen will have a website, local listings or social media pages, so you can easily locate a number in your area using search engines. However, don’t make the mistake of hiring the person who seems closest to you before doing some research on their experience and character.
Check Their Skills and Experience
Once you have some names, check their skills. Most professionals will list their skills and experience on their website and on other listings. You should only go with a contractor or handyman who has the skills needed to complete your project. For instance, if you need some electrical work done, get a professional who is skilled and experienced to carry this out. The right experience matters and it shows how well the expert is likely to complete the task.
License and Insurance
The next thing you should consider is licensing and insurance. Some professionals are required by the law to carry a license, whereas others are not. Such laws differ from state to state. The best thing to do is to check the licensing laws in your area before hiring a contractor. You could land in trouble for hiring an expert who is not licensed if the law requires that such experts be licensed and insured. When you do so and an accident happens, you will have to cover the damages and compensation for injured workers. Therefore, adhere to the licensing laws in your state. If the law requires that a certain professional be licensed and insured, verify both before hiring.
Reputation
Another thing you should not ignore when hiring a local handyman or contractor is their reputation. How does he perform his job? How does he treat his clients? Well, it can be hard to tell if you haven’t worked with the contractor or handyman before. Thankfully, you can learn something by reading online reviews. Online reviews are a great resource when evaluating the reputation of a service provider. You can find reviews on sites such as Yelp, Google My Business and social media, as well. To find reviews on other sites, do an internet search using the name of the contractor or his business name, followed by phrases such as complaints, reviews, customer comments, and company review.
Talk to the Contractor or Handyman in Person
Finally, meet the contractor or handyman in person. By meeting them in person, you will have a better view of who they are and of their reputation. Also, you should meet them so that they give you an accurate estimate of how much the project will cost. Before you talk to the contractor in person, have an idea of how much similar projects cost. While the cost of every project will be different, getting a rough estimate will keep you from spending more than you should. You can research the whole project cost or cost per hour. Consider meeting and interviewing a number of handymen before making the final decision.
Once you have made your decision on whom to hire, go through the project details and agree on what needs to be done. Make sure you agree on everything in advance. Secondly, if the job needs any permits, ensure you have them before the job begins. Most contractors will offer to make the applications on your behalf, but you should follow up to ensure they actually applied. Finally, make sure your budget is planned in advance. Set aside enough money to pay the contractor or handyman and pay for all the materials needed for the process. If you are considering a home renovation loan, evaluate the benefits and drawbacks carefully.
Author: Carol Trehearn
