13 Secrets a Handyman Won’t Tell You—but Every Homeowner Needs to Know

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I’m overwhelmed with too many tasks.

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Before calling me, try to figure out a way to solve the issue on your own.

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May I use the restroom?

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Choose wisely

The benefit of hiring a handyman from a national franchise is that they usually undergo screening and training, and you have a supervisor to turn to if there is an issue. However, you may also get an employee who doesn't put much emphasis on quality, and you'll likely end up paying a higher fee on top of that.

I don’t know everything

Occasionally, I still need to look up instructions for a task before I do it (YouTube is a big help!). A skilled handyman stays current on latest products and techniques and is always eager to learn something new.

Buildings and homes require maintenance by humans to stay in good condition

Check on your property at least once a year: Do you have gaps in caulk around windows and doors? Is there any rotten wood? Are any shingles loose? It's much more cost-effective to have me address these issues now than to let them go unattended and pay for a bigger repair job later on.

Just because you see a lot of ads out there doesn't always mean that they are offering good service.

If I'm skilled and do quality work, I don't need to advertise because customers refer others to me. When I first started my business, I put a magnet with my phone number on my truck. After about six months, I had to remove it because I was getting too many calls.

We tailor our pricing to match the specific task at hand.

I may give you a different price than the one I gave someone else for the same job. Why? Some of us charge more when we're really slammed. Or if I go into a house and it's extremely dirty, I'll raise the price because I don't want to work there.

We’re pretty handy

Before getting rid of something, ask if I can fix it. I've fixed broken doors, windows, furniture, toys, and even hospital beds. For instance, my neighbor once put his lawn mower out and went to buy a new one, but I fixed it before he got back with the replacement.

On a budget?

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Be careful when paying with cash.

If a handyman requests payment in cash, it's likely he doesn't have a business bank account. Or, he might be underreporting his income for tax purposes. Does it say something about me that I'm not paying my taxes honestly? If I'm dishonest about taxes, do you think I'll put in an honest effort when you're not monitoring my work.

You'll be billed for those additional minor tasks

I'd be happy to help you with that sticky door or faucet while I'm here, but don't be surprised if I send you a bill for my time. We generate a good portion of our income from tasks like these when customers ask us to assist with extras.

Would you like to do something with the dog?

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