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I need a handyman
Warbirds
Member Posts: 16,919 ✭✭✭✭
How do I find a guy to do the stuff I don’t have time to do?
Ceiling fan, leaky hose spigot, little things that have just been stacking up around here.
It is not that I don’t have the capability, I don’t have the capacity right now.
Comments
Have friends......who "know a guy".
But that still leaves the problem of finding a guy that's any good. 🤔
How old are your boys? I replaced my first faucet at 12 and my first window at 13.
Impossible around here! IF you find anyone with a good rep. around here are booked until spring.
That's the excuse they all use without being rude when they're not interested in doing the type work you want done.
"Never do wrong to make a friend----or to keep one".....Robert E. Lee
Carefully. Low skill level = low hourly wage = most people willing/available to come perform odd jobs such as those listed are not individuals I would let in my house…especially unsupervised.
I’d want a recommendation from someone I trusted…and still might not be comfortable enough to hire them.
Perhaps a retired relative looking to make a couple of bucks…or better yet a younger relative even if you have to “clean up” some of their work.
Most of my dad's job's came from the manager of the local lumber yard giving a referral... But than again Dear Old Dad was a licensed contractor... But still that a place to get a good reference.
"Independence Now, Independence Forever."
John Adams
In the long run cheap labor costs more than a bonded, insured professional. But be prepared to pay accordingly. Find the time to do it yourself. Chimney sweep wanted $175.00 to clean my chimney. I bought a brush for $35.00 and each time I clean the pipe, I save $140.00 to spend on Gunbroker. I still clean my own gutters too!!!
I started a small handyman biz 3 years ago.
Most clients came by word of mouth.
I have a friend who is a hairdresser, she is in the know. I get referrals a lot from her. Have the wife ask hers who does handyman work.
But... early on I had a partner and to get our name out there I put us on an app called Nextdoor.
It's able to be customized for your local area/neighborhood.
Might try looking into that.
Also check the bulletin board at the local breakfast joint.
i WILL RETRACT MY SUGGESTION.
Joe
Do NOT call Angi. Trust me on this. I posted my experience but the post was poofed. For that reason I won't give details.
Dave, there should be some reputable handyman businesses near you. Just prepare yourself for their rates. You soon remember that you have more time than you think.
How to find:
Local newspaper
Google search
Craigslist
Avoid Angi like the plague.
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
MAKE the time to do it yourself and teach the boys how to do it as well. It will pay of in a few years when they go out on their own and don't have the money to pay someone to do it. Plus they can come do things for Dad when he gets old........
What hillbille said.
Wife went to visit her sister for a month, suddenly I had time to get a plethora of things fixed and a couple of new guns also arrived.
Trying to learn it yourself sounds good - until you mess up something expensive on your first try, or don't know the techniques, or even worse, violate some building code.
At my age it is FAR wiser to call a pro who can do it right the first time, with the correct materials, and up to code.
I end up buying twice the items that I need. The first try is a learning experience and/or practice.
Do what I did, Marry a farm girl. Heck, I end up picking up the slack for her!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I live in Madison County NC. there is a Facebook page, Madison County Residents. There are constantly on there people asking for handymen, and people responding with references to good handymen.
Try your own county on Facebook and I bet you can come up with a good worker or two.
I am/was an excellent handy man for years. Ran a sideline business doing paint, wallpaper, minor construction ,plumbing etc for about 20 years . Arthritis put a stop to most of that as i can no longer climb nor get on the floor. I still do my own work but it takes about 5 times as long as it used to . Ask around at your church etc for recommendations