You live in Brisbane and need a handyman. But who can you trust? With so many options, it is difficult to know where to start. Well, we are here for you! We have compiled this list of 7 qualities that every good handyman should have. Whether you need repairs done on your home or just want someone to help with some light gardening work around the house, these qualities will guide you towards the right person for the job:
Trustworthy
If you need work done on your home or property, it is important to know that the person doing it can be trusted.
It is important that anyone who has physical access to your home or property, which includes people working on the exterior of your house such as a painter, plumber or general handyman, is someone you would trust around your private belongings whether you are at home or not.
Look for a handyman who has references and testimonials from previous clients.
When searching for a local handyman you’ll most likely find plenty of reviews online as well on sites such as Facebook and Google local listings.
If you are still unsure, reach out on local community groups on facebook for referrals. This is often the best way to find quality tradespeople.
Knowledgeable:
For larger jobs, like drywalling and tiling, it is important to hire someone who has the knowledge of how these projects are done. Look for a handyman with experience in your specific project or skill set. A good handyman will be able to knot only carry out your specific requests but also give you advice and recommendations.
A good handyman will also be able to explain what they are doing as well how it can impact the cost of your project.
Ask them about past projects they have completed; this will give an idea of what they’re like based upon their responses.
Licensed:
A handyman is required to be licensed for certain trades or skills in order to operate. Make sure your potential contractor has the necessary licensing and insurance before signing any contract. Most qualified and licenced handyman services will have their license number on their website and business card, so if you want peace of mind, you can look their details up online via the related business associations to see if they have had any complaints lodged against them.
Responsive:
It’s not always easy to find someone with quality time in their schedule. A good handyman will be conscientious of your needs and work to be available for when you need them.
Check their availability online or via a phone call, and inquire about how often they are likely to take on new jobs before committing.
It is not uncommon to find a handyman over keen to start your project, only to find they have an overload of projects already on the go, which can therefore delay their timeframe or push them to do a lesser quality project for you.
Establish a clear timeframe for both of you so that you are on the same page with the completion timeframe.
Competitive pricing:
When it comes to household renovation or maintenance, the price difference from one tradesperson to another can be quite a jump.
It is always worth getting more than one quote as this will not only give you an idea of the price, but also a feel for how they work and communicate.
Like the quote itself, not all trade people work at the same level of workmanship or materials. Sometimes you might find it is worth paying more if you know the overall outcome of the project will provide more value.
Clear Communication:
When doing any renovation or major repair, communication is always the key to a perfect completion.
Failing to communicate with your tradesperson could result in a project taking longer, costing more or not looking as good. So ensure both you and the tradesman know exactly what each party needs to discuss prior to commencement, and ensure you are kept updated to the progress or of any potential hurdles that could arise.
A great way to keep up-to-date with progress is by using a whiteboard, or project board so that you can update it as the tradesperson does their work. A good example of one would be our magnetic dry erase wall planners you’ll find at Officeworks.
Commitment and Guarantee:
Ensure you get a written, signed and dated guarantee for the work carried out. It is also important that it specifies details such as who will provide any materials or labour required to complete the job and what happens if something goes wrong with your property.
Be aware of the terms of the tradespersons after service commitment and guarantee before agreeing in writing to anything.
Insured:
This almost goes without saying, but you want to ensure that any tradesperson that enters your premises is ensured for themselves and also for the work they are providing.
They should have public liability insurance and also be able to produce the certificate at any time.
Most home owners will probably already have public liability of their own, however if the property is a rental you might not have this covered for someone else, and ultimately, if anyone is injured while in your premises it is ultimately your responsibility, unless they have cover of their own.
Summary:
It is important to carefully select a trusted tradesperson when you need your home or business repaired, renovated or constructed. These skills will help ensure that the job is completed on time and within budget. Keep in mind as well that it’s not just about choosing someone who does what you want for the cheapest price.
