We share some tips on choosing the best person for the job when it comes to carrying out repairs and maintenance to your home.
Nowadays more and more people are opting for home improvement rather than moving house. Whether this is to boost the value of your home or simply make it more comfortable to live in, it can sometimes mean hiring a handyman or tradesman to do the job.
But how can you make sure you are getting value for money and good quality work when choosing who to hire? We give you some tips on choosing the best handyman for your home improvements.
Why do I need a tradesman?
Of course there may be some home repairs and maintenance that you can carry out yourself to save on costs (when doing so remember to check that your home insurance policy covers DIY accidents. However for some larger-scale jobs such as plumbing, carpentry and electrical work, it can be a good idea to hire in a professional.
Hiring a professional tradesman to do the job properly can ultimately save you money. Certain DIY jobs can seem misleadingly straightforward, but can end up costing more in the long-run if something goes wrong or if you have to buy specialist equipment to aid you.
It’s also a good idea to hire in a tradesman if you don’t have the time, skills or inclination to do the job yourself. Remember too that if the job carries a health risk, such as electrical work, it’s always best to hire in a professional rather than compromise the safety of you and your family.
While some tradesmen are notorious for turning up late, carrying out sub-standard work, or being unprofessional for the vast majority this bad reputation is by no means justified. By keeping the following tips in mind you should be able to find a skilled, reliable handyman who will get the job done with minimum fuss and expense.
How do I begin my search for a tradesman?
It’s a good idea to see if your friends, family or neighbours can recommend a tradesman to you that they have had a good experience with. You’ll be able to trust them more knowing that he or she has carried out good quality work for someone you know. Try to check the work that your handyman has done on other houses to see for yourself.
If possible, talk to several different handymen about the job at hand, and get estimates on price and time-scale from each of them. You may find that quoted prices and time-scales vary considerably from one tradesman to the next. Also, don’t assume that cheaper prices are going to mean best value and more expensive prices are going to mean best quality; you should still check their previous work.
Look locally when searching for the right tradesman. It’s a good to hire someone who is local to your area as it means it won’t take them long to get to you to carry out the work, or to return if there is a problem. Browse your Yellow Pages or local classifieds to see what kinds of handyman services are available near you.
You can also use the internet to find a tradesman near you who has been hired and reviewed by other people in your area. Try sites such as RatedPeople and MyHandymen to search for local tradesmen and compare prices.
What should I look for in a tradesman?
Make an appointment with your tradesman to come to your house and discuss the job in hand. This should be a good first indicator of the kind of quality you can expect from him or her. For example, if he/she is late to this first appointment it could be an indicator of bad time-keeping skills, which will be essential when the job starts.
Your tradesman should be trustworthy and qualified for the job, and you should feel comfortable around him/her. After all, they will be spending a considerable amount of time in your home, depending on the size of the job.
Ask your handyman for references, and talk to him/her about where they have been working lately. A tradesman whose work is of good quality will be glad to tell you about their previous jobs, as their reputation will thrive on favourable word of mouth. See if you can talk to people who have had work carried out by him/her, and find out how satisfied they were with the work done.
Find out about your tradesman’s qualifications. Most will have taken some sort of training at a technical college, and should have certificates and accreditation to prove this. Otherwise, they may have learnt their trade from, for example, a family member. In this case you should ask them how long they have been in business and, as with all handymen, ask them about their previous work.
When your tradesman starts work...
Make sure that before any work is started, you have a written contract detailing the price for labour, parts and materials, start dates, completion dates, and payment terms. Find out what precisely is included in the price you are quoted – are you being charged for your tradesman’s trips to and from the DIY store, for example? Also check that your handyman has liability insurance in place in case something goes wrong.
When paying him/her, don’t pay the whole fee up-front. Rather, pay half the fee before he/she starts work if necessary, and the rest after the job is completed satisfactorily. If the proposed work is an expensive job, it’s advisable to involve your solicitor.
Before your tradesman starts work it may be a good idea to see if they have a complaints procedure in place in case you aren’t satisfied with the work. Remember not to let him/her hurry you into a decision regarding the proposed work if you aren’t completely happy with it. If he/she isn’t willing to take the time to discuss what you want to be done and negotiate this, they may not be the best person to hire.
When you do find a handyman that you are satisfied with in terms of the quality of their work and your relationship with them, keep them in mind for work you might want doing in the future. This will save you having to look around again from scratch next time you need hired help.
Choosing a trustworthy tradesman is worth taking your time over. By doing your research and finding out as much information as you can about the handymen in your local area, you can ensure your home improvements will be carried out properly. This will ultimately cost you less because any repairs or maintenance will last longer and add more value to your home.
