A Handyman is a person who has a good knowledge of all types of home repairs and can complete them without a lot of problems. They have a wide range of skills ranging from basic handyman services to complex plumbing, electrical, carpentry work etc. Being able to do the different tasks with ease comes from years of experience and continuous training on various tools and techniques. In addition, having to deal with customers day in and out makes you more accommodating as well as dealing with people who need help can be very stressful at times. But being able to help someone which could be one’s neighbour or even a stranger make it all worth it.
Handymen usually charge per job or by the hour especially for small jobs that take only a few hours to complete. Some homeowners may find this expensive for some jobs, but it is important to understand that most Handymen are professionals with years of experience under their belt which equals quality work every time.
Handyman Projects and Fix-Up Tasks
Some services that handymen commonly provide are
- Fixing Plant Hire Equipment
- General Carpentry Work
- Fitting Shelving Units
- Building Sheds and Shelters
- Fixing Toilets and Drains
- Painting and Decorating walls and ceilings
- Laying Decks or Gazebos
- Doors Repair/Installation/Replacement
- Spas insulation installation
- Home security systems
- Fan installation
- Fence repair
For other services, the common factors are that they are completed with ease by a handyman. In addition, there is no strict time frame for how long it may take as each job is different.
Tradesmen such as plumbers and electricians, who occasionally complete small jobs around the house, do not fall under this category and could instead be hired as Tradesperson. This is important to make sure that you get the proper service without getting ripped off by unqualified people.
What does a Handyman do?
The term “handyman” is now used to describe both paid and unpaid workers, whether they are homeowners or do-it-yourselfers. Painting, drywall repair, remodelling, minor plumbing work, minor electrical work, and furniture assembly are examples of simple tasks. The term handyman is occasionally used as an adjective to describe politicians or business leaders who make significant organizational changes, such as reorganizing a company’s structure or administration. Handypersons have long been male, and home repair activities were considered a male-oriented pastime, but handywomen are becoming more popular and women use the phrase handyperson to describe themselves.
There are lots of distinct talents to look for among handymen. Make a list of what you need to be done and make sure they have the appropriate skills and experience for the position. To ensure you’re receiving a fair price, get several quotes. The quote could also include all of the essential specifics of the task. While it is enticing to go with the cheapest quote, keep in mind that it isn’t always the best option. Check whether they have a satisfaction guarantee and request any previous customer references for added confidence.
They could also have the right insurance to reimburse you for any costs incurred as a result of their mistakes, so check with your local authorities before hiring anyone to do work on your home. In general, the term handyman increasingly describes someone who can do proper home maintenance and easy to learn tasks.
How to Find a Handyman for Odd Jobs?
An alternative option in finding a good handyman in your area is through word of mouth. Asking around may not only connect you with a good worker but also help you find out if that person is reliable or not. You can ask your friends/ family who has used the services of handymen in the past for referrals which could lead to quality work at a reasonable price.
However, checking their website would be helpful since most Handymen provide information on what they are able to do through their website, along with prices and pictures of completed projects. It’s best to make an appointment beforehand so both parties agree on the service/s you want to be done and also gives them enough time to prepare prior to your arrival could they need it for your job.
Finally hiring someone to assist you could be taken seriously and could never be rushed. If you’re not sure, it’s best to ask for references and pictures of work that has been done by the handyman before hiring them. Be confident in your decision since this person may be working in an area where they are not familiar with which is your home, so feeling comfortable around them is crucial.
Can a Handyman Help With Furniture Assembly?
A handyman can quickly put your flatpack kit together if you’ve bought flatpack furniture or a flatpack kitchen. They can also install a kitchen if it’s one. Hiring a handyman is an excellent way to renovate your kitchen on a budget because they may not be able to connect the plumbing or electrical wiring, but hiring a handyman is often less expensive than installing a flatpack kitchen.
A competent handyman may also help you with your furniture. Many of them have workshops in their garages and use woodworking tools. They can transport your damaged furnishings to their workshop and repair or refurbish them for you. For more complicated tasks, such as refinishing a cabinet, look for someone with experience as a cabinetmaker. You might be amazed by the results they can achieve. A competent handyman may restore your furniture and could know how to stain and polish it properly.
What Work a Handyman Can’t do?
Always contact your local council if you have a bigger project to complete and aren’t sure whether you can hire a handyman. Depending on your state of residence, certain rules may apply, and in some situations, you may need the services of a licensed builder depending on the value of the work being done.
- Plumbing, plumbing repairs generally necessitate the services of a qualified plumber.
- Only properly trained electricians could handle electrical cables.
- Gas fitting could only be done by licensed experts, much as electrical work.
This doesn’t prevent your handyman from working with appliances. A handyman, for example, may install a home theatre system and TV swings and run wires through your wall. However, if you need help modifying your home’s electrical wiring, gas lines, or plumbing lines, you’ll want to get help from an expert.
What Skills do You Need to Be a Handyman?
There are a number of different specialty skills a competent handyman might need. For example, many handymen only install new roofs and gutters. Other handymen specialize in things like insulation, fire prevention, or even power washing. A common one however is home repairs and renovations which covers most types of jobs that your average homeowner would seek out a good handyman for.
What Type of Training do You Need for Fix-Up Tasks?
The level of education needed varies from state to state as well as the requirements for certification and license to become a professional handyman. In general, you can expect to have some degree of on-the-job training before assuming the role of a professional Handyman on their own. It’s common for someone with an electrical or plumbing background to become a Handyman but it’s definitely not the only path to becoming one.
Are There Other Jobs That Hire People With Handyman Skills?
While many people start off in this line of work and then go into their own business, others may leave to pursue different careers in related areas such as construction and property maintenance. Some don’t enjoy odd jobs and minor electrical work. There is always plenty of work in these fields for those who are willing and able to take on physically demanding tasks day after day. It’s common for an experienced Handyman to be hired by large or small companies requiring fast repairs around the workplace or factory floor. This can be very rewarding because you’ll get paid well while working alongside your co-workers which makes you feel like part of a team.
The work of a handyman can be very satisfying when you know that the home you’ve created is safe and functional for your customers. While there are some in this line of work who like to keep themselves in the background, many Handymen find it’s fun and rewarding to meet customers and help them with their individual needs.
What Type of Person Makes a Good Handyman?
Handymen come from all walks of life and often have diverse backgrounds before they become one. A common thread between most though is a strong desire to always do high-quality craftsmanship at an affordable price. Being able to handle multiple tasks around the house is also very helpful because your typical customer doesn’t really care what trade or skill sets you to have. They just want their home to look great before the weekend arrives.
What are Some Common Handyman Tools?
The first tool every Handyman could have is a “toolbox”. You can use an old metal or plastic storage container to store your various equipment into it. Having one that you can easily carry around makes life much easier when you need to go from one job to another within the same day. Just make sure it has separate compartments so your drill bits, bolts, nails, screwdrivers etc don’t all get mixed up together.
Tools needed by Handymen may include:
- Hand saws for cutting larger pieces of wood and drywall
- Screwdrivers for tightening screws on different types of appliances and cabinets
- Drill and drill bits to make holes in different materials such as wood, drywall, metal and tile
- Saws all the way from a small hack saw for smaller jobs to a larger tool like a chainsaw. Depending on what your typical job entails may determine which types of saws you’ll need
- Levels for properly aligning objects horizontally or vertically
- Tape measures for accurate measurements
- Pliers for bending and twisting wires, nails etc
- Hammer for attaching nails, bolts etc into objects
- The level used to square up surfaces. Could have an attached level on it so that you can put certain things at a 90-degree angle or flat against the ground.
