What To Consider Before You Hire A Handyman In Melbourne
Handymen perform a raft of tasks for homeowners who cannot undertake certain activities around the house. They are adept at doing a number of different things, and can make your life a lot easier when you don’t know what you’re doing. Here are some tasks a handyman can undertake for you:
- Carpentry
- Repairing and cleaning gutters
- Landscaping
- Plumbing
- Drywall repairs
- Sanding and painting
- Flooring installations
Handymen are typically cheaper than specialists, and can get multiple minor home improvement jobs done for you without any difficulty.
photo/ Alexandra / München via pixabay
Why You May Need To Hire A Handyman In Melbourne?
Every house, whether old or new, will have its fair share of maintenance issues that come up at different times. These tasks could end up taking a majority of your free time, which you simply may not have if you are busy at work. In fact, it will probably be faster and far more rewarding for you to hire a handyman to do the job. So why would you hire a handyman instead of a specialist?
- Handymen usually do small jobs for cheaper than specialists for certain jobs – and can often get the jobs done without any difficulty.
- Handymen have the right tools and materials to complete different tasks efficiently – with minimal damage to your home.
- Handymen take away the stress of you having to make multiple trips to the hardware store.
- With handymen, you don’t have to employ multiple contractors for different jobs and can get them done through one person.
Sometimes you could end up spending more on home improvement tasks because of your lack of knowledge, which is why it makes sense to hire a handyman for your household needs.
What To Look For In A Handyman?
Your home is a valuable asset, so it’s natural that you will want to be cautious and ensure that nothing untoward happens when certain tasks need to be completed. You don’t want a handyman who is inefficient so consider these factors before you decide to hire someone for your home in Melbourne.
- Check Licence Requirements For Specialist Work: If you’re hiring a handyman for plumbing and electrical work, make sure he/she has the appropriate licence to ensure they are adequately trained to undertake the job at hand.
- Check For Insurance: In case there is a problem, you want to be covered by their insurance or you could be in trouble with an even bigger repair bill.
- Check For References: Talk to a few handymen before you make your decision and get references of their past work so you know that you’ve hired the right person. Once you get these references, make sure you give them a call. Watch out for handymen reluctant to hand out references.
- Get Quotes For The Jobs: Handymen should be able to let you know the approximate amount a particular job will cost without being evasive. Some charge by the hour while others will charge per job. Give them a list of things you need done to get a quotation.
- Clarify Payment Terms: There are several payment options for home improvement projects. You could either make the payment once the job is complete or you may have to shell out an advance for the handyman to procure the right materials. Clarify this in advance to eliminate any confusion in the future when it comes to payment.
- Ask Whether A Guarantee Is Provided: Find out from the handyman if his or her work is guaranteed. Good handyman will usually give a guarantee in writing to show they are serious about their work.
- Clarify Timelines For Work Completion: The last thing you want is a handyman in your house for longer than needed, so make sure you clarify timelines for completion of all the tasks in your home. Once the job starts, regularly check whether he/she is on schedule to complete it based on the agreed timeframe.
- Get A Written Contract: With a written contract covering the work to be completed in your house, there is little room for miscommunication and confusion. This will help you clearly define expectations, and will protect your interests in the long run.
If you find a local handyman in Melbourne that comes recommended by family or friends, then the hiring process is significantly easier. Ultimately, you want to choose a handyman you can trust to undertake the job without any damage to your home. Building a rapport with them from the start will help you determine whether they are suited to your job or not.
Author: Colin Steinway
