Does that door
squeak? Do you have some remodeling you want done? If you’re looking for a handyman Bridgewater in NJ, you
may wonder how to find a reputable one. Do you look in the phone book? Do you
search the web? It can be pretty confusing if you’ve never hired one before.
Where to Scout Around
Life hacks recommends looking
at referral lists such as Angie’s List or Yelp. These will
often give you a good idea of businesses and handymen in your area – not to
mention ratings by consumers who have used their services. Using these
resources will help you narrow down handymen who at least, on the surface, look
like reputable contractors.
Never discount word of mouth referrals. If
someone you know has hired a handyman and was pleased with their work, you
should ask the person for contact information. If you can, request that they show
you the work the handyman did on their home and compare it with your
expectations. Does the work meet or exceed your expectations? Chances are if
your friend or family member is happy with the work, you’ll probably like the
work the handyman does, assuming they have done the type of work you require.
Once you pick out a few contractors, it’s
time to interview them.
What to Ask at an
Interview
Good contractors or handymen will be happy
to talk with you either in person or on the phone. You’ll need to find out if
they are bonded and insured (very important in this day and age) as well as
find out if they’ve ever done the type of work you’re looking for. Find out if
they are licensed and get their license number if you live in a state which
requires contractors to be licensed. Ask for references. Avoid any contractor
not willing to give you references.
The contractor should not give you an
estimate until they see the job and what it entails. They may be able to tell
you what the job usually costs in a range but not a firm price. Beware of
contractors who promise low ball prices – they are usually the ones who do not
understand what the job entails.
Follow up on References
Once you have the references, contact them
and ask the reference what sort of job the handyman did for them and how
pleased they were with the job. Find out what the job entailed, especially if
it is similar to the job you’re looking to hire the handyman on. If any of the
references raises some red flags, ask them what problems they encountered and
how the handyman Bridgewater in NJ addressed them. This is very important
because you should know how your handyman will react to problems.
If the handyman is licensed, check with the
state to make sure they are still in good standing and their licenses are
current.
Ask for an Estimate
Once you’ve vetted your handymen, it’s now
time to have them look at the job and offer bids. You can then choose your
handyman according to their bid and whether you think they will do a good job
on the project.
