When to Call a Handyman: Knowing Your Limits
Have you ever started a home project just to realize you’re in over your head? There are several common problems that you can try yourself without risking any long-term damage to your house. With these, if you get too overwhelmed or realize you don’t have the skillset for it, you can just call your local handyman. However, there are other problems, like the steadily worsening pipe leak dripping onto your hardwood floors, that are much more time-sensitive. By the time you can get a handyman down to your home, you want to make sure your floors haven’t suffered any permanent damage. This is a homeowner's guide to what common household issues you can likely handle yourself and when to call a handyman.
1. Understanding Common Household Problems
Plumbing Issues
Plumbing issues can include anything from a leaky faucet to a burst pipe. If all it takes is tightening connections or replacing an old washer, you can likely do it yourself. If your leak just keeps coming back, you’re seeing water damage, or you need a new piece of pipework, that’s when I’d recommend a handyman.
Electrical Problems
Electrical problems are particularly important, as electrical fires are incredibly dangerous. For this reason, the only electrical issues I can recommend you tackle yourself are replacing light bulbs and resetting your breaker when it’s tripped. This advice applies to even the most handy homeowners. With so much risk involved, it’s just better to call a professional.
Carpentry and Repairs
Repairs like fixing a door that just won’t close, repairing damage to your walls, and hanging shelves all fall under the carpentry and repairs umbrella. These have relatively low risks, and many homeowners are comfortable addressing a loose screw or a small hole in the wall. When it comes to structural repairs, installing cabinetry, and replacing your door frames, it’s time to call your handyman. These require precise measurements and a knowledge of local building codes. The last thing you want is to do all of the work only to realize it needs to be torn out and redone to get it up to code.
General Home Maintenance
This is a broader category and can include caulking windows, pressure washing your house, and even gutter cleaning. These can all be fairly time-intensive, and can require equipment not all homeowners have. Before deciding to do one of these projects yourself, weigh the value of your time and the cost of the equipment against the cost of a handyman. A great example of this is pressure washing the side of your house. The cost of renting a powerwasher hourly might be comparable to hiring a handyman, and it’s a labor-intensive process.
2. Knowing Your Limits
What are your limits when it comes to home projects? It’s important to do this quick five-question assessment before setting aside your Sunday afternoon.
Do you have the necessary tools?
Have you considered the safety of the project?
Do you have the time to complete the task properly?
Does the effort outweigh the reward?
What is the potential damage a mistake could have on your home?
3. Reasonable Expectations
You’ve decided to hire a handyman. What can you reasonably expect?
Clear Communication
If you aren’t quite sure what’s behind the problem, they should clearly describe the problem to you before correcting it. They should also give you a clear timeline for your project, although it’s important to understand that bigger jobs may require more than one visit.
Cost Expectations
Your handyman should provide you with a quote, either written or verbal, for the project. This will vary depending on materials, time, and complexity. To avoid any unwanted surprises, ask them if there are any potential additional costs they can foresee before the work begins.
Quality of Work
If you have concerns about the quality of work or are looking for a lot of attention to detail, you can ask them for pictures of their previous projects. While not every handyman has a portfolio ready to go, they will likely have a few pictures of their work. If you expect follow-up support for your project, let them know ahead of time that’s what you’re looking for.
4. Conclusion
If you take anything from this article, it should be that everyone’s situation is different. While your neighbor may have been able to fix their own leaky pipes, you might just not have the time or comfortability, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Calling a handyman can save you time, money, and stress in the long run by ensuring the job is done right the first time around. If you need a handyman for your next project, schedule a consultation today.
