You walk into the bathroom to turn off the light before you drop the kids at school and head to work. There is a small puddle of water on the floor, and water is dripping out of the vanity cabinet. Not sure what to do, you fling the cabinet doors open only to find the base of the cabinet sagging under the weight of a rubber ducky-sized pond. Luckily, you know enough to shut off the water to the faucet.
Now what?
Your schedule is full of important meetings. You don’t have time to call a plumber and wait around from noon to five for them to show up. And who knows how much it will cost to fix? A handyman might be a good option. You did catch the problem early. But how do you make sure you find a good one who can find the leak and fix your bathroom?
Here are seven questions you should ask a handyman before you hire them to work on your most valuable investment—-your home.
1. How much experience do you have?
When you’re considering hiring a handyman, it’s a good idea to find out about their skills and experience. Begin by asking how long they’ve been in the business. Have they been helping homeowners with water leaks for 20 years or are they still getting their feet wet?
Ask if they have any special skills or training for the type of work you need done. Some handymen might specialize in things like carpentry, plumbing or electrical work. Others regularly handle a variety of projects. If they’ve done similar projects in the past, can they show you examples of their work?
Understanding their background and seeing their work can help you feel confident that they’re the right person for the job.
2. Do you have references?
Checking references and reviews is a vital step when hiring a handyman. Google and Yelp are great places to start. It is not uncommon to have a few unfortunate interactions. Look for common themes. Do most people say they are hardworking, on time, reliable, trustworthy and respectful? Would they call this particular handyman again? If a handyman does not have the qualities most important to you, move on to other options.
3. When can you start my project?
Having the hall bath out of commission for the next week is not going to work in a household with three teenagers. So, even if the handyman you are talking to sounds great, a full schedule could bump them from the list. Before hiring a handyman, discuss their availability and how your project will fit into their schedule.
Find out when they can begin and whether they have other commitments that might delay the work. Ask for an estimate of how long the job will take and whether they’ll be working on your project only or juggling it with others. If you have specific deadlines or needs, be sure to share those upfront. Your handyman should let you know if they can realistically meet those needs.
4. What will my project cost?
The last thing you want is a surprise when you get the bill from your handyman. You weren’t expecting the bathroom to flood in the first place. Hidden fees or price hikes add insult to injury.
It’s also a good idea to confirm whether the estimate is fixed. What if they find a bigger issue while fixing the leak? Will the cost go up? Will they ask you to approve any extra work before doing it? By keeping you in the loop about the scope and cost of the project, you can avoid misunderstandings and ensure the project stays within your budget.
5. Do you warranty your work?
When you hire someone to fix a leak, you want the peace of mind that comes with knowing it’s been done right. Ask potential hires about any warranties and guarantees. Do they offer a warranty on their labor, and for how long? If the plumbing in your bathroom starts leaking again in three weeks, will they fix it? Will they charge you again?
A reliable handyman should stand behind their work and be transparent about how they handle post-project issues.
Will you provide all necessary supplies for the project?
One of the benefits of hiring a handyman is flexibility. If you bought the dining room light fixture of your dreams on sale but don’t have the time to install it or don’t want to attempt to install it in a room with vaulted ceilings, no problem. A handyman will work with the supplies you already have. Or, if you don’t know what you need, a handyman can pick up the supplies for you.
Just don’t let miscommunication get in the way of a job well done. Talk to your handyman upfront about who is responsible for what and how the cost of supplies will affect your total bill. The only surprise should be the exceptional quality and service your handyman provides.
6. How do you communicate with clients?
Good communication is key to any successful business relationship. Ask how your handyman keeps customers in the loop before and during projects—phone calls, texts or email. Will they text you if they are going to be late? What if they find an unanticipated problem? Open communication ensures you stay updated on the project’s progress and prevents those unwanted surprises.
Your Ideal Handyman
Skilled handymen can be the solution to many of life’s unexpected problems. Before you pick a name out of a Google search for “handymen near me,” it is important to ask a few questions. The more you understand about the handymen in your area, the easier it will be to choose the best handyman to handle projects around your home.