How to Choose a Professional Maintenance & Repair Service

By: Daniel Hernandez

Being a professional handyman has opened my eyes to a whole other world that is both rewarding and challenging at the same time. My favorite part of being a handyman is solving the little problems people have in their homes. I love to fix those small items that only the homeowner and myself would ever notice. This ranges from the leaky faucet that only drips when the temperature outside dips below 53 degrees to the chip of paint that has been missing for years. Perhaps it’s those shelves that have never been straight or don’t quite fit your house, and every time you walk by, you wish you could get those fixed or rebuilt. These are the problems that I live to solve.

Not everyone has a handy husband, wife, father, mother, brother or uncle to go to when they need a small project fixed. Many people don’t know someone with the skills to perform the projects properly or, even worse, they have loved ones who think they have the skills, but really don’t. There are also many people that simply don’t have the time to complete projects, big or small, around the house. This is why there will always be a place for the professional handyman.

In my years as a handyman (and later as a licensed contractor), I have performed jobs of all sizes; often times doing patch-up jobs after a previous “professional” did work that did not meet the expectations of the homeowner. I have discovered that no matter what your need or desired repair, there are several things to watch for when hiring a handyman or contractor.

BE DILIGENT – Pay as you go and don’t get stuck paying for work that will never get completed. Ask when your next payment is due or what the payment schedule is in advance. In addition, review your contract carefully and make sure amendments are in writing. Be very clear about what you want and what your contract says – are they the same? For example, over the years, I have been to numerous jobs where the client has a half-done project and the contractor is nowhere to be found. I hate to see people stuck in this position, and it is always hard to tell customers that even the work that has been started is not up to code or building standards.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK – To avoid getting into a sticky situation, check out the local Better Business Bureau (BBB), Consumer Affairs Department or Contractors License Board. In other words, do your homework. You will be able to find information on members and complaints that have been made against a company, as well as companies with outstanding service. In addition, these services will let you know if your contractor is licensed and if there have ever been any problems with the company in the past.

NETWORK -- Ask friends or neighbors for referrals. Do you know anyone you can trust that can back up the company you are about to hire? Do you know someone who is raving about the work they have had done? In the past, I have joined networking groups that exist primarily to share this kind of information. It is always a great way to find people who are in the professions you need. If you don’t know someone who belongs to a referral or networking group, ask you network of friends, coworkers and family. Hire a company that consistently does good work.

BE PROACTIVE – Visit a current project if you are seriously interested in a specific company. How is the quality and cleanliness of the work in progress? Do you like the finished project and would you be happy if your home looked like that? I don’t know of many people who have physically visited another job site that isn’t their own, but I think that this is a great suggestion, and I often recommend that people try this. Don’t feel intimidated or that requesting to visit a job site is silly; just ask your potential handyman or contractor. They may even have pictures of previous work just waiting for you to view. I know I do.

Is your handyman or contractor a member of a rating service? Ask if the company has been professionally rated and, if so, find out what its rating is. This information can be very valuable. Most rating companies have very strict guidelines that companies have to meet, which make them a great source for information about the potential hire. Also ask if the rating service requires their clients to have insurance. If not, ask your handyman/contractor for a copy of their insurance.

Finally, there is a lot of information on the internet that is only a click away. Check out blogs, online referral sites and the company’s website. A lot of the previously suggested information can also be found on the internet. For example, rating services, the BBB and networking groups can all be found on the web.

I recommend you maximize your internet sources, but I also suggest you meet the owner or representative in person, after you have done some research, to see for yourself how the company presents itself. An easy way to do this is when you get your estimate and, of course, ask for any marketing materials they have.