Living Quarters
5 ways to avoid home repair problems
Business booms for handyman firms, but check license, insurance before hiring
What you'll pay Handyman services charge on the basis of materials plus labor. Hourly
labor rates typically range from $50 to $75 an hour, and the average job
takes two to three hours. Here are some examples of typical work a handyman
performs and what you can expect to pay:
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Lori Morrison just moved into a new home in Canton and has umpteen things she needs done. At the top of the list: installing new closet glass doors.
The single 35-year-old, who owns Ribar Flowers in Plymouth, relies upon the help of a handyman service to take care of the odd jobs at her home and business.
"It's nice when you have a crisis to be able to call them and say, 'I need this done right away,'" Morrison says. "And they're out within a day."
Dave Latawiec, whose Around the Home Services in Plymouth has performed work for Morrison, started the handyman company two years ago as a side business to generate more income when things were slow for his remodeling company, Distinctive Kitchen and Bath.
"We started getting lot of calls from people asking, 'Do you do this and that?' " Latawiec says. "Now it's as important and running as strong as our remodeling business."
Handyman services, which are willing to do smaller odd jobs that larger contractors won't, are experiencing growing demand as the number of single women homeowners and retirees increase. But two-income households are also using the services more than ever before, according to Dayn Benson, who owns Mr. Handyman franchises in Metro Detroit including Mr. Handyman of Southwest Oakland.
"You could probably learn 80 percent of what we do by watching HGTV," Benson says. "But a lot of people don't have the knowledge, the tools, or the time, or just don't want to do these kinds of jobs any more."
Here are some hints on getting the most from a handyman service:
1.What to hire a handyman
for.
A good handyman is a jack of all trades. You can call on one to perform any number of tasks that fall under the headings of carpentry, electrical, drywall, plumbing, painting, remodeling, tile repair, etc. Specific examples include jobs like: Install a ceiling fan, fix a leaking faucet, build shelves, install doors, change locks, install light fixtures, repair garage door openers, empty out an attic or get large seasonal items out of storage, install a window air conditioner, put up storm windows, install or fix a garbage disposal, or caulk a bathtub.
In short, a handyman can handle the proverbial "honey do" list and just about any household repair or unfinished project you can think of.
2.What not to hire a handyman for.
The general rule of thumb is you shouldn't hire a handyman for any job that takes more than a day or two. In most cases you need the expertise and resources of a large contractor for major renovations, demolition, or additions to the home.
"The biggest difference between us and a remodeling contractor is we'll have 100 to 150 customers a week, whereas contractors will do same amount of revenue but may only have two customers," Benson explains.
"We operate more as an ambulance service, providing quick response for little annoying things," he said.
If the handyman service doesn't have the know-how to handle a particular problem or project, it can usually point you to experts who can.
3.How to select a handyman.
Most reputable handyman services are licensed, insured, and bonded. Hiring someone who has both workman's compensation and liability insurance is essential, since you, the homeowner, are liable if an uninsured worker hurts himself or herself on your property.
It's a good idea to do some investigating before you hire a particular company. Do they answer the phone and respond to you promptly? How much experience in the trades do their technicians have? Request some customer references to see if other homeowners were happy with the completed work.
Other questions to ask: How long has the company been in business? Do they have employees or subcontractors? Subcontractors might not show up. Employees, in many cases, have gone through background checks and drug screening.
4.What you can expect to
pay.
If you are going to hire a handyman for repair work, check with your homeowner's insurance company first to see if the repairs are covered by your insurance. Handyman services charge on the basis of materials plus labor. Hourly rates typically range from $50 to $75 an hour, and the average job takes two to three hours.
Some also charge a service fee of about $30. Dave Lequia started his business, HandyPro Handyman Services in St. Clair Shores, in September after he was laid off. A former contract engineer for General Motors Corp. with 25 years experience, Lequia charges an hourly rate of $52 to $62 depending on the number of hours the job requires.
You can shop around and obtain several estimates or bids since most handyman services will give free estimates or quote a ballpark figure over the phone. Around the Home Services has a minimum charge of $75 and a $50 hourly rate. It can quote an exact price on most jobs over the phone.
"We're fully insured, licensed builders with workman's comp and liability insurance," says owner Latawiec. "Naturally, our prices are higher than (those of) the Joe who just went out and bought a pickup truck."
5.How to protect yourself.
As mentioned previously, make sure the handyman is licensed and insured before you hire him. Also obtain a written estimate that specifies the materials to be used and the repairs or work to be done. Check to see if the handyman has a clearly marked vehicle, a uniform and can produce proper identification before you allow him in your home.
Botched jobs are the exception, not the rule. But if you hire someone legitimate, they should make it right and meet your expectations at no extra cost.
However if your efforts to resolve the matter fail, or if you feel you are a victim of fraud or deceit, contact the Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services at (517) 373-1820.
Lynn Waldsmith is a Metro
Detroit free-lance writer.