Hiring-A-Handyman? Read This First!

Before we get into hiring-a-handyman, let's review...

When making the ultimate decision, should you do-it-yourself, or should you hire-a-handyman skilled contractor, ask yourself these questions:

Let me ask you some simple questions....

• Do I have the experience to tackle this job?

• Do I have family or friends with the experience willing to help?

• Do I have an awesome set of handyman-tools?

• Can the tools I need be rented from the local tool rental center or purchased cheaply?

• Do I have to pull permits and adhere to building codes?

• How much time do I have to complete the project?

• What happens if mistakes are made?

Sometimes answering those questions honestly can be enough to keep you from attempting to do-it-yourself.

Please don't get me wrong... I'm not trying to intimidate you, my goal is to educate you with enough information that you can save money by doing-it-yourself. If you just can't DIY due to time or other circumstances and are forced into hiring-a-handyman, follow this advice:

After you've identified the problem you must do some research on how to fix-it, even though you're not fixing it yourself. Say you've got a toilet that will not stop running.

Here's what you may learn after 5 minutes of research...

• Jiggling the handle makes it stop running. You may need to adjust the lift chain attachment or the handle. Problem solved!

• Removing the tank cover reveals that the float ball is touching the side of the tank causing it to hang-up. Re-position it by bending the float ball away from the side of the tank. Problem solved!

• You discover the flapper valve is worn or distorted and doesn't seal the tank. You run off to your nearest home center and purchase one so the handyman doesn't have to leave the job to go and get one... and charge you for his time at $50-$110 an hour! Plus the markup on the valve itself.

• Same thing goes if the you discover the whole flapper valve seat assembly needs to be replaced. Purchase these items ahead of time and then call your handyman and tell him exactly what you need done, example: Flapper assembly replacement.