Choose handyman services with care, research
Are you looking to hire someone to fix or repair small improvements around your home but don’t think the job is big enough for a contractor? A handyman could be the right person for the job. Unlike professional tradesmen such as licensed plumbers or electricians, handymen offer a wide range of minor home improvement work and repair services exempt from local and/or state regulation. Services can include changing a kitchen faucet or repairing sheetrock.
If you are considering hiring a handyman, the Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas offers the following tips:
• Ask for suggestions. Ask friends, family members, and neighbors to recommend a reputable handyman they have used in the past. Check out possible handymen at BBBHouston.org to read reviews and make sure there are no outstanding complaints.
• Make a list of needs. Make a list of exactly what projects you would like the handyman to complete. When selecting a candidate, be sure to ask them about their range of skills and if they specialize in a particular project. Discuss the list with each handyman you are considering to be sure they have prior experience completing the jobs.
• Interview at least three handymen and request an estimate from each one. Ask all the handymen how many years of experience they have. Ask them to provide a list of references you may contact. Find out if the previous customers were satisfied with the completed project and if it was finished according to schedule. Be sure to ask if they would use the handyman for a future job if needed. If possible, visit the references’ homes to check out the completed projects in person.
• Make sure the job in within the handyman’s scope of work. In Texas, handymen are barred from performing major plumbing, electrical wiring and air conditioning repair work for safety reasons. If you need electrical re-wiring in your home, for example, call a licensed master electrician, not a handyman. If you come across a handyman claiming to offer electrical, plumbing or air conditioning repair services, request their licensing and confirm it is legitimate before hiring them.
• Discuss payment. The handyman you hire could charge in a variety of different ways. Find out if the handyman charges by the hour, by the type of job, or another method. Set up a payment schedule before they start working on your house.
• Get everything in writing. Require that the handyman provides a contract that includes: the start and completion date, details of each job, and the payment schedule. Ask if the handyman will provide a guarantee for their work. If so, be sure it’s included in the written agreement. Before making the final payment, inspect the completed job to be sure it’s done to your satisfaction.
• Beware of scams. Don’t trust handymen who solicit door to door or claim they have material left over from their last job. Walk away from a handyman that demands to be paid before the job is completed. Be wary of handymen that pressure you into a decision, only want to be paid in cash, or request that you obtain a permit for them.
The BBB is an unbiased nonprofit that sets and upholds high standards for business behavior. Every year, more than 87 million consumers rely on BBB Business Reviews and BBB Wise Giving Reports to help them find trustworthy businesses and charities across North America. For information or to check a company and find trustworthy businesses, visit www.bbbhouston.org, which includes our BBB Accredited Business Directory, or call 713-868-9500. Leah Napoliello is senior director of Investigative Services with the BBB of Greater Houston and South Texas. Send questions regarding homeowner issues to Leah Napoliello, Better Business Bureau, 1333 West Loop South, Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77027, or e-mail her at lnapoliello@bbbhou.org. Include mailing address and phone number on letters and emails.
Interview at least three handymen and request an estimate from each one.