 Finding a handyman (by Peter [NH]) Jan 17, 2018 7:19 AM
 Finding a handyman (by S i d [MO]) Jan 17, 2018 7:33 AM
Finding a handyman (by Still Learning [NH]) Jan 17, 2018 7:39 AM
Finding a handyman (by RB [MI]) Jan 17, 2018 7:44 AM
Finding a handyman (by NE [PA]) Jan 17, 2018 7:46 AM
Finding a handyman (by RathdrumGal [ID]) Jan 17, 2018 7:46 AM
Finding a handyman (by NE [PA]) Jan 17, 2018 8:17 AM
Finding a handyman (by NC INVESTORS [NC]) Jan 17, 2018 8:42 AM
Finding a handyman (by Peter [NH]) Jan 17, 2018 9:39 AM
Finding a handyman (by NC INVESTORS [NC]) Jan 17, 2018 10:38 AM
Finding a handyman (by NC INVESTOR [NC]) Jan 17, 2018 4:38 PM
Finding a handyman (by GKARL [PA]) Jan 17, 2018 6:39 PM
Finding a handyman (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Jan 17, 2018 9:45 PM
Finding a handyman (by WMH [NC]) Jan 18, 2018 8:17 AM
Finding a handyman (by WMH [NC]) Jan 18, 2018 8:18 AM
Finding a handyman (by J [IN]) Jan 19, 2018 4:24 AM
Finding a handyman (by GKARL [PA]) Jan 19, 2018 6:09 AM
Finding a handyman (by Peter [NH]) Posted on: Jan 17, 2018 7:19 AM
Message:
Hi
I am losing my awesome remodeler/handyman. He is retiring and moving south ! Oh no ! Any ideas on how I can find someone? I still have many units to update before I can retire :) --73.61.xx.xxx |
Finding a handyman (by S i d [MO]) Posted on: Jan 17, 2018 7:33 AM
Message:
Recommendations from fellow land lords or real estate investor's association.
Lowes or Home Depot Pro desk.
Craigslist.
With handymen, you always want to keep 3+ guys on you list. So sometimes when I need a simple fix (i.e. swap out a toilet) and hire a new guy who seems to take care in how he presents himself. It's basically a job interview. I look to see if he can A) quote me a price B) get is done within 3 days and C) how he handles communication between me and tenant. If he "passes", I'll usually do this 2-3 more times with other small jobs (half day or less). If all goes well, he goes on my list.
Have a primary "go to" handyman, but also give each guy on your list a couple of small jobs each month to keep them interested and so they recall your name. Pay quickly. --173.19.xx.xxx |
Finding a handyman (by Still Learning [NH]) Posted on: Jan 17, 2018 7:39 AM
Message:
My local glass company gave me their list this fall. It's tough in NH. If they are good they are too busy. If they are free they are hacks or go MIA... but I don't have enough work to keep a good one busy. Good luck!
--76.89.xx.xxx |
Finding a handyman (by RB [MI]) Posted on: Jan 17, 2018 7:44 AM
Message:
Retired Construction (trades) Workers. --47.35.xx.xx |
Finding a handyman (by NE [PA]) Posted on: Jan 17, 2018 7:46 AM
Message:
DIY. Hire what you can't.
The more I read here, the more I am convinced that that is the best method for small to medium sized landlord's.
If your up high in unit numbers and/or have large complexes and can afford 1-2 full time guys, then that's a different story. You have to have the volume and cash to sustain steady help. If all your units are paid off, then you can actually afford to hire everything out. If your not in this position and are hiring a maintenance man every few weeks or months to caulk a tub or plane down a door or tix a toilet, you will be overpaying and chasing your tail trying to find them.
DIY.
For the toilet example, I'd be done with it before someone would show up.
What's my loss, an hour or 2?
I also don't have a day job, so I am out and about regarding properties most days anyway.
--174.201.xx.xx |
Finding a handyman (by RathdrumGal [ID]) Posted on: Jan 17, 2018 7:46 AM
Message:
Ask your retiring handyman. He should be able to recommend the best guys he knows. --98.146.xxx.xx |
Finding a handyman (by NE [PA]) Posted on: Jan 17, 2018 8:17 AM
Message:
As far as finding them, I borrow them from other contractors for bull work or I hire the big guys for stuff that I don't need to oversee. --50.32.xxx.xx |
Finding a handyman (by NC INVESTORS [NC]) Posted on: Jan 17, 2018 8:42 AM
Message:
My number one choice is asking my other contractors especially the ones I've been using for years who provide quality service and reasonable prices.
I also check out several referral services.
Angieslist. I see customer reviews that I know are real customers and most show the amount spent on the job
I've started using thumbtack. You input your requirements and they send it to people who meet your specs. The contractors respond with details about the type of work they do along with a quote the specific job you requested and they include customer reviews. I've found some very reliable contractors that way
Craigslist. You really have to vet this group thoroughly but again there are some very qualified people out there and as Sid said you start with very small jobs to test them out. If they pass that test then try them on a more demanding project.
Over the past few years I've found that getting a knowledgeable and dependable handyman is the hardest position to fill. The skilled works especially those with licensing or certification requirements are much easier to find and keep. --71.75.xx.xx |
Finding a handyman (by Peter [NH]) Posted on: Jan 17, 2018 9:39 AM
Message:
You guys are awesome. Thanks for the ideas. My next post will be whether to pay someone as a contractor or an employee. If someone gets hurt on a job being sued and workers comp. could be a huge issue. 90% of contractors around here do have any workers comp. (or even know what it is) This issue scares the heck out of me. --73.61.xx.xxx |
Finding a handyman (by NC INVESTORS [NC]) Posted on: Jan 17, 2018 10:38 AM
Message:
Based on your description he is a 1099. You should refer to the IRS definition of an 1099 vs. employee.
I pay all of our contractors as 1099.
They are free to accept or decline the project / job, declare their own hours, supply their own tools and transportation, do not receive any benefits from sick pay, to sick days, vacations, does have business cards with my company name on it nor are they required to wear a uniform with my logo. The list goes on. --71.75.xx.xx |
Finding a handyman (by NC INVESTOR [NC]) Posted on: Jan 17, 2018 4:38 PM
Message:
Sorry meant to say "does not have business cards with my company name" --71.75.xx.xx |
Finding a handyman (by GKARL [PA]) Posted on: Jan 17, 2018 6:39 PM
Message:
I agree completely with Sid. You have to have 3-4 people you can call on and cycle through them. I've used Craigslist and referrals. It's tough finding someone who's both affordable and reliable. This is the same needle in the haystack in searching for good tenants. --64.121.xxx.xxx |
Finding a handyman (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Posted on: Jan 17, 2018 9:45 PM
Message:
Firemen. They are on 48 hours and off 48 hours. MANY do construction on the side and we know they are hard workers.
BRAD
--68.51.xx.xxx |
Finding a handyman (by WMH [NC]) Posted on: Jan 18, 2018 8:17 AM
Message:
Facebook groups. I found a decent pressure-washing guy, a decent but expensive roofer and I think a decent carpenter that way, although I haven't hired the carpenter yet he has good recommendations.
Everyone advertised that they were fully insured (and proved it) had their own tools and provided me with quotes for the jobs up front. Paid as a 1099 contractor. --50.82.xxx.xx |
Finding a handyman (by WMH [NC]) Posted on: Jan 18, 2018 8:18 AM
Message:
BTW, a curious theme: *all* of them play in different bands around the area. So their real love is music, but contracting is where they make their money LOL! --50.82.xxx.xx |
Finding a handyman (by J [IN]) Posted on: Jan 19, 2018 4:24 AM
Message:
It’s funny I have this conversation daily with myself. I had a handyman for almost 3 years and this fall he moved to Alaska. I didn’t realize how much my business would be affected. I spent the last several months working with different contractors. It’s the weirdest thing, they show up...don’t complete the job...and don’t call or bill. Happened 3 times on 1 house. I have been trying Craigslist and Facebook. I am using an electrician off Craigslist this week and he should be finished today so we’ll see how that turned out. What I have found is reputable companies that don’t advertise on Craigslist and Facebook seem to have been the most reliable. Most come from referrals. Seems to me the good contractors don’t have time to play with the computer. They are too busy working. Now I did have a referal from an old neighbor that showed up 3 days in 2017 and has not come back in 2018 yet. Again he never billed me. I just don’t understand people. The first electrician and plumbing company did the same thing. Still no bill from either. Maybe I am too easy to work for? The economy is booming here and I think they just may have customers that are screaming louder then me? Good luck in your search...keep trying and when you find the right one do your best to keep em. --67.236.xxx.xxx |
Finding a handyman (by GKARL [PA]) Posted on: Jan 19, 2018 6:09 AM
Message:
One thing I find helpful is going with larger contractors. I've found a couple of on call firms with decent sized staffs for plumbing and electrical repairs. I can call them for service in 24 hours. Same for HVAC. All are reasonably priced. It's the handyman stuff ( ie flooring installation, repairing door jambs and etc) that's the challenge. It's tough to find reliable people and when you do, you have to have them 3-4 deep. --172.56.xx.xx |
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