Problems with a handyman

Have you ever had problems with a handyman you hired? I got a call from a lady the other day who had problems with a handyman she had hired. She needed me to finish a job that someone else had started and she had fired because he did not know how to do the job and he had made a mess.
There are many good people in the Handyman business today but anyone with a truck and a hammer can call himself a handyman. So, what can a homeowner do to reduce the risk when hiring someone? It’s not easy, but there are several obvious steps that can be taken.

1. Ask prospective handyman if they are licensed and carry liability insurance. If they have employees or do rental properties (considered commercial by WSIB) they need to have WSIB (workers comp) coverage. Don’t take their word for it, ask to see proof. Any legit handyman will be happy to show you this documentation. Any handyman that offer excuses why it can’t be produced walk away from.

2. You can ask for a list of references but how can you check them out? They could be giving you a list of their friends. Some online rating sites are unreliable as a reference due to the ability to post bogus reviews therefore you need to check reviews from more than one source. Just because someone has a bad review does not mean they are not good. There are always two sides to a story. How they respond to a negative negative reviews speaks volumes.

3. Do a search on the internet of their name and their company. Check their social media, what kind of person is he? Does he look like someone you can trust? How many places does his business show up on the internet? Has he invested the time and money to create a web page? Is there pictures of his work?

4. Be wary of requests for a large up-front deposit. If a job requires the purchase of custom materials and a large deposit it is probably a sign that the handyman is taking on a job that is bigger than he is capable of handling or you are trying to save money by hiring a handyman rather than a general contractor. Large jobs with longer durations will have payment milestones (including the deposit) clearly outlined in the contract. Small jobs that handymen do don’t require deposits because most handymen work on an hourly basis and charge you for the time it takes.

5. Be suspicious of really low pricing. We all love a deal and for some people price is the only criteria that matters. However, low-ball pricing is a classic scam that is irresistible to many of us. It is also a sure sign something may not be right. Choosing a handyman to do a full bathroom renovation asking for trouble. A handyman can not do any electrical work or any new plumbing and he can not hire an electrician and a plumber since he is not a general contractor.
Large renovation projects require a contract with milestones and payment schedules. If everything is not spelled out in the contract the homeowner can expect to be hit with numerous “extra” material and labour costs. If your handyman does by some miracle manage to complete the work, odds are substandard materials and workmanship are what kept the cost down.

6. Do not ask for cash only deals, that is asking for problems with a handyman. Cash only with no paper trail equals no recourse for you in the event a problem arises. You want to hire a honest handyman to work in your home. If he will work for cash and be dishonest with the government what makes you think he will be honest in his dealings with you?

7. Think it over. Take the time you need to make an informed decision and you won’t have problems with a handyman you hire. If you have to sign a contract you probably should be hiring a general contractor.

Tell me about your handyman experience by posting a comment or sending an email to theancasterhandyamn@gmail.com.

About the Author: Stan The Ancaster Handyman

My name is Stanley McCall. I was born in Scotland and came to Canada when 11 years old. Growing up in Brantford my mother instilled in me the importance of having a career. I decided after working my summers in factories that I would rather work with my mind than labour in factories all my life. Because of that decision, I went to Mohawk College to get a career in Mechanical Design Drafting. I found that I have a skill for understanding design issues and designing solutions in my mind then conveying that on paper so that it could be built. Throughout my career, I have designed food processing equipment, case packaging equipment, paper mills, sawmills, printing presses and steel mill equipment. I ended my career working for a global consulting engineering company checking the designs and drawings of junior engineers who had engineering degrees but no experience conveying their designs on paper so that it could be built. While I was pursuing my career I raised a family, renovated three houses and did over 20 years of volunteer work as a director in charge of the maintenance of Mount Forest Camp. Unable to retire to a rocking chair in 2014 I started my business as The Ancaster Handyman. Many people have said to me that it is hard to find a good handyman. I decided that I would be a good handyman and that it would be easy to find me and know that you have found a good handyman. To accomplish this I would have to be a good handyman, get lots of reviews and testimonials in as many places as possible on the internet so that no matter where people found me on the internet they would know that they have found a good handyman. Someone with integrity who they could trust to do a good job and could rely on to give them sound advice. Proof that I have accomplished this is seen in the fact that I have been recognized by Trusted Pros to be the best handyman in Ancaster for three years now. I am also a lifetime member of ACHP (The Association of Certified Handyman Professionals". I am Ancaster's only Certified Profesional Handyman. To be a member of ACHP you have to be committed to running an ethical business. If I say I can do a job you can trust me to do a good job. If I didn't feel I could do a good job I would refer you to someone else. If you want a cover-up job so that you can sell your house you have found the wrong handyman. I do not do cover-up jobs. My reputation and membership in ACHP is too important to risk over making a quick buck.

One Comment

The Handyman Alex & Construction November 21, 2021 at 6:47 am - Reply

Thanks for sharing informative tips if you gave shared with video it will be more valuable for your business and it will be trusted services.

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