When your property is suffering from numerous structural problems and a typical plumber, electrician, or carpenter isn’t around, who will you call? A professional Coventry handyman, no doubt. As this excerpt from an article from online home improvement resource SmartGuy.com noted:
A general handyman is more important than you think. When water pipes drip, kitchen sinks clog, and light bulbs flicker, you may think you are up to the job. Wrong. Many seemingly simple jobs require not just knowledge and hands-on experience; they also need special tools and spare parts.
Skill, experience, and the right equipment are exactly what a skilled handyman in Coventry from companies like Trade Squad Ltd brings to the table. Here are a few tips in hiring the best one available:
Make a list of prospects – The best way to get the search started is to speak with neighbours, kin, or close friends about whom they have worked with in the past. Word-of-mouth is probably the best possible advertisement and barometer of competence for any handyman. Another way to search for leads is to turn to a local newspaper’s Classifieds section, as well as online, if possible.
Check relevant certification – The best prospect should always be one who is properly licensed, bonded, and insured. In the event that someone gets injured within the property’s premises for the duration of the work, the homeowner will be held responsible unless the handyman is duly insured. Handyman services can either be provided by an independent or general contractor: general contractors are most often licensed, bonded, and insured; while some independent ones may not. For the insurance, one must be extremely vigilant in taking note of the expiration dates.
Request a cost estimate and payment schedule – Estimates should be reasonably done, ideally within 10% of the actual cost. One should make this clear to a potential candidate in order to prevent low-ball or cheap offers and the usage of low-quality materials for the job.
Get a written guarantee or warranty – One must make sure that the handyman provides a written guarantee for their work. Additionally, homeowners must ask if there are any warranties on the materials a handyman prospect uses. If the answer is yes, then one must acquire a copy for future reference.
Understand the pricing and payment policy – Pricing varies quite a lot between different contractors. One shall never choose a handyman mainly because of cheap prices as such is not always the best option. Asking for a payment schedule can help, so that one can learn how the work is to be compensated.
(Source: 10 Handy Tips for Hiring a Handyman, SmartGuy.com, July 1, 2014)
