You’ve got an ever increasing to-do list of home improvements like changing out a toilet, hanging the new TV in the family room, and painting a kitchen wall. You could hire a plumber, department store installation team and painter who have conflicting schedules and their own service charges, or you could hire a handyman to complete all three projects in one day for one hourly rate.
Because a handyman can complete your whole list of small projects for a lower hourly rate, homeowners can save a bundle of money and time on home maintenance projects. If you hire separate contractors to do the work, it could easily cost much more than hiring a handyman for a few hours.
You're also less likely to be overcharged if your hire a handyman. Unlike a general contractor or specialist who is more likely to price a job based on the estimated amount of time it will take to complete, you only have to pay a handyman for the hours he works, unless you agree on a flat rate. Handymen can keep their rates low because they don't have to pay additional workers, so they have lower overhead costs than contractors or large companies.
Although handymen have less overhead, they do supply their own tools, so there's no need to invest in extra equipment you won't use often or at all. However, you will need to supply the materials.
When you hire a contractor or specialist, they usually supply the materials, and often at a markup. If they don't provide the materials, they may not guarantee a repair, or your choices are limited to what they have in stock. When you choose your own materials, you know how much the product costs, and you can stay within your budget. You also get to choose the manufacturer, finish and register any warranty agreement.
Handymen have been known to do all types of work, from setting up playground equipment and gas grills to hanging holiday lights and decorations.
While handymen are able to keep their rates lower, partly because they don't have to pay other workers. So they have somewhat lower overhead costs than contractors or large franchise companies. Although handymen usually have less overhead, you should insist that they have insurance, a business license and an extensive set of tools.
Because a handyman can complete your whole list of small projects for a lower hourly rate, homeowners can save a bundle of money and time on home maintenance projects. If you hire separate contractors to do the work, it could easily cost much more than hiring a handyman for a few hours.
You're also less likely to be overcharged if your hire a handyman. Unlike a general contractor or specialist who is more likely to price a job based on the estimated amount of time it will take to complete, you only have to pay a handyman for the hours he works, unless you agree on a flat rate. Handymen can keep their rates low because they don't have to pay additional workers, so they have lower overhead costs than contractors or large companies.
Although handymen have less overhead, they do supply their own tools, so there's no need to invest in extra equipment you won't use often or at all. However, you will need to supply the materials.
When you hire a contractor or specialist, they usually supply the materials, and often at a markup. If they don't provide the materials, they may not guarantee a repair, or your choices are limited to what they have in stock. When you choose your own materials, you know how much the product costs, and you can stay within your budget. You also get to choose the manufacturer, finish and register any warranty agreement.
Handymen have been known to do all types of work, from setting up playground equipment and gas grills to hanging holiday lights and decorations.
While handymen are able to keep their rates lower, partly because they don't have to pay other workers. So they have somewhat lower overhead costs than contractors or large franchise companies. Although handymen usually have less overhead, you should insist that they have insurance, a business license and an extensive set of tools.