How to Find a Handyman

What tasks can a handyman help with?

Before you go looking for a handyman, you should make sure you’re looking for the right professional. It doesn’t make sense to hire a handyman for every home fix. Some of the more skilled trades, like electrical and plumbing, are better left to specially trained professionals.

A handyperson could be the right choice for tasks like:

• Interior painting
• Repairs to doors, cabinets or walls
• Furniture assembly
• Tile or carpet replacement
• Sink, toilet or light fixture installation
• Mounting televisions or hanging artwork

When researching handymen in your area, available laborers may provide a list of services they are qualified to help with as well.

How can a handyman help if you’re moving?

A handyman can help you prepare your home for a big move. While you’re busy packing up boxes, they can make repairs or upgrades to your house to help it sell faster, even at a higher price. For instance, adding a fresh coat of paint to your interior walls could bring in more buyers.

Some handyman businesses may even help you pack boxes and load up trucks on moving day.

» MORE: Best packing services

Before you arrive at your new place, a handyman could also be useful in helping prepare the home for move-in. They can replace fixtures or hardware to suit your individual style and needs.

How to find a handyman near you

The ideal home laborer is trustworthy, timely and vetted by trustworthy sources. If you’re in need of a handyperson for a home project, follow these tips for finding the right fit.

Go by word of mouth

If you’re new to the area or just moved in, you can start by asking your local real estate agent for recommendations. They can likely provide you with a few names and contact information for reliable handyman businesses.

» COMPARE: Best moving companies

If you have local friends or family to consult, asking for recommendations from people you know may be the best place to start. Ask trusted sources who’ve recently used services you need — they can give you their honest opinions about the quality of service. You can also ask professionals who work with laborers regularly for their input (e.g., property managers, employees at design and hardware stores or interior designers).

Check neighborhood groups on social media

You can also search neighborhood groups on social media outlets (like Nextdoor) for recommendations. Just keep in mind that some of the responses could come from individuals who haven’t actually used a handyperson’s services before. They may be trying to connect someone in their network to potential work instead.

Browse apps and websites

Several apps (e.g., Thumbtack, TaskRabbit, Handy.com) are dedicated to rating and reviewing home service professionals. You can use these platforms to search by task (TV mounting, furniture assembly, etc.) and book services online. Websites like Craigslist can also be an option.

As you browse listings, be sure to read the reviews specifically related to the services you need. Some professionals may offer a variety of services, from simple tasks like hanging a picture to more complex tasks like installing a bathroom sink.

Take safety precautions

Remember to take proper safety precautions before inviting any stranger into your home. This can be especially true when using websites like Craigslist to find a laborer. Take steps to verify that handymen advertised on this kind of platform are who they claim to be, checking reviews of their work online or even asking for references. You also may consider meeting individuals in a safe, external location before sharing your home address.

Apps like Handy can provide peace of mind in this regard, as they conduct a background check for professionals listed on the site. However, these companies may charge a fee to customers and home service professionals, leaving less compensation for the handyperson you hire.

What to look for in a handyman

Look for workers with qualities like reliability and responsiveness to calls and texts. You can try to gauge the person’s reliability from reading through reviews online, looking closely at whether they’ve completed several projects similar to yours in the past and how others describe their work ethic.

Also, as you scan through reviews, remember to read both the higher and lower ratings and comments. If numerous reviewers comment that jobs weren’t completed to their satisfaction, it may be best to move on to another choice.

You’ll also be able to observe how responsive they are when you initially reach out to them to discuss your situation. For example, professionals should return messages within two business days.

Even after you’ve vetted your handyperson, you can still monitor their work. It’s better to alert them of any issues you see early on rather than later after the project is complete.

Ask for references from past clients

Your schedule may need to revolve around when they plan to work at your home, so be sure to hire someone who is dependable. Once you speak with a potential handyman, ask for at least three references. Call each of these individuals and ask for specific details of the work or project.

Licensing

Many states do not require a handyman license under certain conditions, so you’ll need to check your individual state’s regulations. One of those conditions is that the project cost doesn’t reach a maximum value, which can vary from state to state.

In addition, keep in mind that hiring an unlicensed handyman to install, maintain or repair certain equipment could void the warranty. This could leave you financially responsible for any damages they cause to the dwelling. For example, warranty documents for HVAC systems state that a licensed HVAC technician must maintain the equipment to file a warranty claim.

Regardless of the licensing requirement, always be sure that your home laborer is insured. This can protect you from liability if they are injured while working in your home.

Red flags

You may be able to spot a dishonest handyman before you allow them into your home. Potential red flags can set off future concerns about this individual and may be a sign that you should look elsewhere for a handyman.

Some potential red flags of a handyman may include:

• Doesn’t provide references or proof of insurance
• Gives an estimate that’s much lower than average or doesn’t prepare an estimate at all
• Expects a sizeable down payment before starting work
• Refuses to put communication in writing

Also remember that hiring a home service professional is a transactional business relationship, so be sure to keep a professional tone when communicating with them. Don’t be shy about setting boundaries to protect your home and your family.

How much does a handyman cost?

Fees can vary depending on the person’s experience and the type of work you need to be done in your home. For instance, you’ll pay more to replace tile than to paint an interior room.

Average handyperson charges include:

• Interior painting: $350 to $850 per room
• Tile and grout replacement: $300 to $1,200
• Cabinet repairs: $120 to $400
• Sink installation: $230 to $650
• Weatherstripping: $150 to $400

Fees can also differ depending on what part of the country you live in. States like California and New York have a higher cost of living, so home service professionals typically charge more to make a living.

Tipping etiquette for your handyman

It is not typically expected for you to tip your handyman for most jobs. Still, depending on the service your handyman provides, you may want to consider adding an additional tip to the project cost. Tipping $10 to $20 or a small percentage of the service fee can be a nice gesture for excellent service.