FAQS
Questions you SHOULD ASK A HANDYMAN
When it comes to making repairs, upgrades or renovations to your home, you want to be sure you’re in good hands.
Be confident in asking these 10 simple questions before making your final decision to hire.
Are they licensed and insured?
Yes, there are handymen/contractors out there who are not licensed to do business in the city, county or state, or have adequate insurance to cover you or themselves should something happen.
If a company is licensed and insured, that can be a good indication they are credible, reliable and a business of integrity.
Do they have references or testimonials on their website?
Having the opportunity to speak to previous customers is a great way to gain confidence with the handyman/contractor you are considering hiring. Any handyman or contractor with nothing to hide will be happy to share references.
Do they have photos of their work available?
Photos can easily show how much care a person puts into their work. When viewing, don’t be afraid to ask questions about the project, or if they came into any unforeseen circumstances. How were those situations addressed?
What is their background?
Are they someone who worked for someone else and branched off on their own? How many years of experience do they have? How did they start their company? What is their vision?
Are they upfront?
Will they tell you if all or part of your project is out of their wheelhouse? Are they able and willing to provide a referral to someone better suited to meet your needs? If you find this to be the case, you’re likely in good hands and can feel confident about their referral as well.
Do they have reliable transportation?
This is key to ensuring your project gets done on time and within budget. A good way to gauge this would be paying attention during the initial appointments phase. Did they show up on time, early or late? If they were late, did they call to explain why BEFORE the scheduled appointment time?
Are they reliable?
This is a great question to ask the references provided. Did they show up and do what they said they would do? How were they with return calls, did they respond within 24 hours? If they didn’t get back to you Friday, did they connect with you first thing Monday morning? These simple questions can tell a lot about a person or business.
Are they honest?
Do they discuss the project with you prior to the start date? Are they open to your thoughts and ready to converse about the pros and cons of not only your ideas, but also theirs? Sharing the process of the project with you is important to help you understand exactly what will be done and how or why something may or may not work.
Are they loaded with excuses?
“Sorry I was late again.”, “Sorry, I can’t seem to find my references.”, “Sorry, I don’t have all my tools today”. These are examples of some common red flags you should pay attention to.
Do you trust them?
In the end, like many things, it’s a gut instinct. You are about to trust someone with your home, personal property and money. If it doesn’t feel right, thank them for their time and look for someone else. You want someone you can count on not only now, but in the future as well. If you don’t feel like you’d refer this person or business to your family, then chances are you’re not going to feel good with them, either.