UPFRONT/LIVE
Finding Help for Odd Jobs
How to hire a handyperson for small tasks around the house
THREE-QUARTERS of older adults want to remain in their homes as they age, according to an AARP survey. But homes age, too, and making even small repairs or doing routine maintenance may become physically demanding. You might need a good handyperson—not a contractor who will only take on room renovations, but someone you can call upon to tackle small tasks.
Alex Bandon, of New York’s North River Renovation Management, who has worked for This Old House, and Docia Boylen, of Handyman Connection of Golden, Colorado, each offer tips.
WHERE TO START
Watch YouTube videos of pros doing the job you want done. You’ll then know what’s involved, how long it takes and what questions to ask when hiring someone, Bandon says.
GET RECOMMENDATIONS
> Ask at a hardware store. The staff should know trusted small contractors.
> Get on social media. Neighborhood groups are a good source, and Instagram is a hot spot for handypeople to post photos and videos of their work.
> Go online. Search these sites for professionals: Angi, HomeAdvisor, Houzz and NextDoor, Boylen says. Also check with the Better Business Bureau.
> If you’ve worked with a contractor on a large-scale renovation, that person likely knows someone who can take on small jobs, Bandon says.
VETTING
> In online reviews, look for performance feedback: on-time arrival and good communication, Boylen says. Read the negative reviews, too, and pay attention to responses. Quality pros reply to bad reviews politely, with an offer to resolve the issue, Bandon says.
> When interviewing a potential hire, ask how they find their clients. If it’s mostly by word of mouth, that can be a good recommendation right there, Bandon says. Ask to speak with other clients.
> Get a detailed quote. And make sure the pro has liability and workers’ comp insurance, Boylen says. —Jaimie Seaton