7 Questions to Ask Before Hiring A Handyman Service in Plano TX

It doesn't matter if you're a homeowner or a renter. Managing repairs around the house can be difficult. Even if you're a handy person, you never know when one seemingly small home maintenance project can turn into a long and costly affair.

Instead of placing the burden of repairs and maintenance on you, consider looking into a reliable handyman in Plano TX. Having someone you know you can rely on when you need something done fast can give you some much-needed peace of mind.

Never used a handyman before? Don't worry. We'll teach you everything you need to know! Keep reading to learn a bit about what a handyman does and the most important questions to ask to ensure that you find the right one for your needs.

What Does a Handyman Do?

When you're looking for a handyman, you're essentially looking for someone that can help you with an array of household tasks. A handyman could help you restore your kitchen cabinets, take out dead shrubs, fix the closet door that doesn't shut all the way, and could even install some new shelves.

It is expected for handymen to have a wide array of abilities, but most tend to have a specialty or skill they feel they're best at. You may find someone that's more comfortable doing outside work or could consider themselves an expert in repairing drywall.

Some handymen may even be able to help you with specialized tasks. You could find a handyman that's comfortable with basic HVAC repair work or plumbing.

Do I Need a Handyman or a Contractor?

This is a common question a lot of people ask because their skill sets tend to overlap. In some cases, a contractor you hire may have a team of people that consider themselves handymen on staff.

If you're unsure if you need a contractor or not, consider thinking about the work that needs to be done and the size of the project. Take time to carefully consider everything that you want to get done.

Do you have work that could be done in a day or two? Do you think you just need some one-off help so you can complete a bigger project you're handling on your own?

If you answered yes to those questions, a handyman could be just what you need. They're great for when you need help completing a specific task or if you only need a handful of things done.

Do you need help with major remodeling work in your home? Is it possible that you may need a permit to get some of your projects done?

If so, a contractor may be what you're looking for. They're ideal for long-term projects that are more complex than simple installations and repairs.

We want to note that it's possible that you may need help from both professionals to reach your ultimate goal. If you're having trouble figuring out what's best for you, consider speaking with a professional that can help lead you in the right direction.

Find The Best Handyman Service With 7 Simple Questions

Oftentimes, the key to finding what you need is asking the right questions. When you ask the right questions, you gradually hone in on finding the right person. It allows you to truly focus on what matters to you the most so you can find the best handyman for the job.

Everyone has their own unique needs when they look for handyman work in Plano. If you make sure to ask these important questions when you're searching for help, you'll be well on your way to finding the handyman you need.

1. Are You Licensed and Insured?

The licensing question is going to be a little tricky in Texas. You don't need a license to be a handyman or even a contractor. However, working with someone with a business license or who is employed by someone with a business license can be helpful. It can add some much-needed legitimacy to their work and can prove to you that they're the real deal.

Licensing may not matter much if you're looking for handyman help in Plano, but the insurance question is one you should take seriously. You may be asking your handyman to do some pretty basic work, but you still never know what could go wrong.

It's possible that someone could get hurt when they're working on your property. Your property could get damaged when they're doing repairs. You could even find that the work they did actually made things worse.

Liability insurance can help protect both you and the business in case anything goes wrong. Don't make the mistake of skipping this important question and never work with someone without some kind of insurance coverage.

2. How Do You Price Your Work?

Some handymen may prefer to charge by the hour. Others may like to charge by the job. There is no right or wrong way to charge for handyman services, but their answers could be a big factor in deciding to work with them.

A handyman that charges by the hour may be ideal for work you know won't take that long. Simple installations, replacements, and repairs that can only take an hour or two to do could be worth a higher price tag.

Someone that charges by the project could be a better deal if you're doing a lot of work at once. Instead of having to worry about whether they're taking too long to finish things, you can sit back, relax, and let them handle the work.

3. Do You Have Any Specialties?

A typical handyman can usually be considered a jack of all trades. The person you're considering hiring may be able to do a lot, but you should take the time to ask if they have anything they consider a specialty.

Does the handyman coming to spruce up your kitchen counters also do work on renovations and repairs? Could the person who comes to clean out your gutters also have experience with weatherizing windows?

Asking about specialties can make it easier for you to not only pick the right person for the job; if you learn about what they're truly great at, you may be able to plan future projects with them in mind.

It's worth noting that it's also a good idea to understand where their expertise lies in case anything changes when they're working on the project.

It isn't unusual to assume that you need to have a simple thing done to realize that the work will be much more complicated than you thought. Hiring someone capable of working with you on a different level can make sudden work shifts much easier to handle.

4. Who Will Be On My Work Crew?

You may be looking for a handyman, but you shouldn't assume that your work will be handled by one person.

It isn't unusual to bring in extra help, and that's especially true if you have your handyman working on a big project. Adding extra people to the work crew can help them work more quickly and efficiently, but it's important to know who they're planning on bringing in before they're in your home.

Don't be afraid to ask for names and contact information of additional people that may be in your home or to even request proof that they're insured and have gone through a background check. It's important for safety reasons to ensure that you're working with reputable technicians.

Extra people could also add some extra dollar signs to your bill. Ask upfront if involving more people will lead to you being charged more. If a larger crew could up your overall project cost, consider thinking about alternative ways to get the work you need to be done without having to worry about the bills.

5. How Many Other Projects Are You Currently Working On?

A handyman that's incredibly busy could have some trouble catering to your needs. You won't want to have someone that's leaving early or coming late because they have other clients they're concerned about.

It's also possible that someone too busy may not have the right timeline for what you need. Someone that needs help installing shelves in a week won't be able to work with someone that's fully booked for the next two months.

On the other hand, someone that seems to have no other clients may not be the best choice for you. We're living in a world where repairs and home improvement projects are quickly becoming the norm. Why aren't they a little busy? Maybe they're new to the repair world, or their reputation isn't helping them book appointments.

Asking about the handyman's current workload can do a lot to help set up the right expectations around work and expertise. Ideally, you don't want a handyman that's booked solid or has nothing but free time. Someone that's decidedly in the middle is the best choice for anyone looking for a handyman.

6. Do You Have Local References?

References from past clients and a solid work portfolio are always good things to have when you're looking for a handyman. However, if you want to ensure that you're getting the best services possible, make it a point to ask about local references.

Doing handyman work in Plano, TX, can be different from doing handyman work in Plymouth, MA. Working with someone that's used to doing projects in Texas heat and knows the local climate can be a huge benefit.

Having local references can also help prove that they have a good reputation in town. Someone that only has references from one area may have had issues with previous clients. They may not have good references in Plano because they're too new or because they're left with a trail of unhappy clients.

7. How Do You Think You'll Handle ______?

Sometimes some of the project work you'll give a handyman will be very straightforward. You may not need much of a plan to put together a few shelves or add a fresh coat of paint to a room.

Regardless of what work you're asking the handyman to do, it's very important to understand how they'd approach the work. Understanding their work style can help you know if they're the right fit for you.

Let's say you found some mold in your home, and you need someone to safely remove it. Knowing exactly how your potential handyman would handle it can tell you a lot about the quality of their work.

Someone that says they'd use a bleach mixture to scrub the mold away can do the basic job of making sure the mold is gone. It may be "helpful" in the most basic sense of the word, but it isn't really anything you'd have trouble handling on your own.

A handyman that talks about bringing in their HEPA-certified equipment and involving a professional mold tester is someone you know is experienced in removing mold. You know they'll do a thorough job the first time—resting easy so that you won’t have to call them in for a second round.

This is why it's important to ask pointed questions about how they'd handle your specific problem. You may find that someone you thought was a good fit isn't the right person to handle your project.

Get Handyman Help Today

The right handyman service could be just what you need to finally get your home maintenance work under control. There may be a lot of professional handymen to choose from, but the questions we outlined in this post should make it much easier to find the right one.

Now that you know the right questions to ask, it's time to help you find the right handyman for the job.