handyman (by sam [TX]) Oct 28, 2024 12:35 AM
handyman (by Robert J [CA]) Oct 28, 2024 1:16 AM
handyman (by DJ [VA]) Oct 28, 2024 6:54 AM
handyman (by Richard [MI]) Oct 28, 2024 7:57 AM
handyman (by NE [PA]) Oct 28, 2024 8:09 AM
handyman (by Ken [NY]) Oct 28, 2024 8:43 AM
handyman (by zero [IN]) Oct 28, 2024 8:45 AM
handyman (by RB [TN]) Oct 28, 2024 8:47 AM
handyman (by NE [PA]) Oct 28, 2024 8:56 AM
handyman (by MikeA [TX]) Oct 28, 2024 10:28 AM
handyman (by Deanna [TX]) Oct 28, 2024 1:56 PM
handyman (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Oct 29, 2024 1:54 AM
handyman (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Oct 29, 2024 1:55 AM
handyman (by Ray-N-Pa [PA]) Oct 29, 2024 4:19 PM
handyman (by Oreo [WI]) Oct 29, 2024 7:38 PM
handyman (by zero [IN]) Oct 30, 2024 9:42 AM
handyman (by don [PA]) Oct 30, 2024 9:25 PM
handyman (by don [PA]) Oct 30, 2024 9:25 PM
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handyman (by sam [TX]) Posted on: Oct 28, 2024 12:35 AM Message:
I have a handyman that I have used for over 8 yrs but he now getting older and is taking longer on jobs and having health issues. I know I have a business to run but he is probably the most trustworthy of the 3 handyman I normally use considering all the issues that come with a handyman. Plus he is usually the most reasonable when it comes to bidding and price. My question is how patient should I be with him or should I just cut him off after this last job. In my south Texas city it seems hard to find a good handyman. Every time I think I found a good one he gets lazy or disappears after the job. I normally buy them lunch and drinks so its not like I don't try to show appreciation for their work . Any suggestions or thoughts would be helpful. Thanks --35.146.xx.xxx |
handyman (by Robert J [CA]) Posted on: Oct 28, 2024 1:16 AM Message:
I just fired one of my handy-women. She is also a tenant and i gave her a nice monthly discount. What happens is that older women going thru the change of life have medical issues, and I know that. But on Thursday she had a dentist appointment at 11 am and was going to call me to let me know when she was done, so I could direct her to a building that I needed new mini-blinds installed in two units. I provide access keys and all tools, plus I provide the blinds. Her appoint was done at 11:25am and I didn't hear from her, so I gave he a call at 2:15pm. She did not answer and called me back around 3 PM. Meaning she decided she wasn't going to work onThursday and instead work on Friday and Saturday.
Had she put up the blinds in 1 apartment, I was going to shampoo the carpet so the tenant could come back the next day. Instead I had to install the blinds myself and clean the carpeting too. So both tenants couldn't move back in until the weekend.
So I texted her back that how does she feel about be ghosted, like she did to me. And respect comes with a price.
Not showing up at work 50% of the time saying it's all health issues, when is just being irresponsible, lazy, etc.
I've had to let go of so many part timers,
. --108.61.xxx.xxx |
handyman (by DJ [VA]) Posted on: Oct 28, 2024 6:54 AM Message:
I had to stop hiring a decent handywoman a while back. She had gotten so forgetful she did the wrong things / did things wrong. Even when I tried to compensate by being there with her - doing other work - and only assigning 1 task at a time.
It is sad, but eventually you get to that point.
In your case, if he still does good work, but takes longer, I think I would:
Be honest with him (after 8 years, you should be able to talk) and say you realize he has health issues/ is slower (he already knows this) - but you value his work. See if you can figure out a good approach together.
It might be to allow more time/get him on the schedule sooner, so he can be done in time (not knowing what type of work, but that could work in a renovation).
Perhaps you give him smaller, easier jobs - that he can still do at his age. Like avoiding roofs & crawl spaces, or whatever. Give the big/hard stuff to someone else.
It might be that he always tries to make his doctor (etc) appointments on Mon & Tue so you only schedule him the other days.
Or it might be keeping another on call who can respond quickly - even if the work is not as good - if #1 suddenly gets ill (make sure he (or his family)calls you asap. Be ready to fill in yourself if needed.
Ultimately, it's a hard decision when you need to part, and I wish you the best --72.218.xx.xxx |
handyman (by Richard [MI]) Posted on: Oct 28, 2024 7:57 AM Message:
I've experienced this too. It's been more difficult in the last 10+ years to find anyone to do work. The younger people mostly want easy office type work. What it;s led to is an explosion in the price of labor and that's if you can find anyone who wants to do it. Used to be that when times got tough anyone who needed extra money often did handyman work so there were a lot around. Nowadays, it's easier to get on the govt dole so why work.
I've had to double and triple the estimates to fix things because of this. As an example, when I was younger a roofer could nail on a square of shingles by hand for $10 labor. Now they want $100 dollars or more and do it with an air nailer which is faster but not as good. Inflation has driven up prices to ridiculous levels.
Here's a tip I've tried to get long term reliable handymen. I bought places (older houses and trailers) at Big discounts , like many of us do. I offered the handyman a deal - fix up 10 houses for me and work for a reasonable price and I will GIVE you the 11th place free and clear as a bonus when they are all done. Now this would normally take about 3 years to do BUT where else are you going to get a free and clear house in 3 years if you are a 20 year old? Well, it turned out that the handyman wanted top dollar for the skills he had, wanted the money now and spent every cent on party, dope, cigs, booze, etc. So he went bye bye. Now he works in a factory, rents and is broke. --97.85.x.xx |
handyman (by NE [PA]) Posted on: Oct 28, 2024 8:09 AM Message:
People can buy gold & food with crypto. Who’s interested in learning how to actually do things? --24.152.xxx.xx |
handyman (by Ken [NY]) Posted on: Oct 28, 2024 8:43 AM Message:
I would probably keep him going on jobs at his pace and find someone to start replacing him, gives you a chance to find someone at your pace rather than desperate.I had a great handyman tell me was done a couple years ago, he did good work,very homest,likeable guy but you could just tell he had enough,he was 70.When we complete a job i buy KFC with the sides etc and he stops by for a free lunch and everyone is happy to see him. --208.115.xxx.xx |
handyman (by zero [IN]) Posted on: Oct 28, 2024 8:45 AM Message:
It is tough to find decent people to work for you around here. The good ones are booked solid, the others just want too much and are not dependable.
I would keep the slower guy for specific projects. It is good that you have people in line as back-ups.
Maybe grab one of the other guys and give him a little more responsibility. Explain that you are wanting to be able to use him for much more. That might help light a fire and get him motivated.
--107.147.xx.xx |
handyman (by RB [TN]) Posted on: Oct 28, 2024 8:47 AM Message:
Try doing it all yourself,
and you will find your answer. --69.130.xxx.xxx |
handyman (by NE [PA]) Posted on: Oct 28, 2024 8:56 AM Message:
Ken, I like that you invite the old guy over for dinners even though he’s done working. Those guys like stuff like that. The electrician I use is teaching a kids sporting clays class and invited my boys last weekend, then I went shot skeet with him afterwards. He was in his glory. I do these things, one because I enjoy it and number two if I need him in a pinch, I can call him, and he will leave regular customers jobs to come and help me. --24.152.xxx.xx |
handyman (by MikeA [TX]) Posted on: Oct 28, 2024 10:28 AM Message:
I had a handyman that was working until he was 78. When he was about 73 I had him on a job and one of the tasks was to fix a wall attached utility cabinet that had come loose and was sagging on one end. I happened to swing by the job just as he was attempting to lift it and put a screw in. It was clear that he couldn't lift it anymore so I stepped in and lifted it while he put the screws in. That opened the door to be able to have a good conversation about how to keep him but meeting my job needs as well. We worked out a deal where he hired his grandson to help him (with a price for a 2 man team) and eventually he just supervised a couple of kids as they did the work. He lasted another 5 years and then his health got so bad he had to quit. I used his grandson for a while after but he lacked the motivation without his grandfather kicking him in the tail.
I've found in my dealings that a good craftsmen is worth their weight in gold. Have a discussion with him and see if you can come up with a good solution. He will be a little embarrassed that he can't keep up like he used to so lots of praise will help him know he is appreciated as you discuss it. --209.205.xxx.xx |
handyman (by Deanna [TX]) Posted on: Oct 28, 2024 1:56 PM Message:
I'm presuming that you're a bulk customer-- someone who can keep a handyman running for weeks or months at a time--- rather than someone who only needs a handyman at turnover or once or twice a month when random stuff happens at an occupied house. But a lot depends on whether your handyguy is the kind who gets jealous.
If he's easygoing, put him into rotation when things aren't time-sensitive.
If he's the jealous type, isolate him with certain projects that are less time-sensitive, but will occupy his attention for long periods of time.
A lot depends on whether your scale of work is "drywall a house", "insulate an attic", "replace a window", "paint a room", "hang a light fixture", or "change out a wax ring." A lot also depends on whether the majority of your work is at an occupied place vs a place that's under renovation, and whether you have multiple renovation projects in your pocket. --137.118.xx.xxx |
handyman (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Posted on: Oct 29, 2024 1:54 AM Message:
In my humble opinion...Are you crazy?
In business our decisions must be based on "How will this benefit me?"
What would you benefit by getting RID of a guy who is loyal, trustworthy, knowledgeable, knows your props, reasonably priced, and puts up with (me)?
So he's a little slower and cannot work 6 days a week. Use the other guys for roofs and crawlspaces. Old guys do well with wiring, spackling, or painting.
Firing him does you no good. Use him as long as he can show up and do some of the things on your list.
Maybe have him do the work lists, material runs, palce signs, change locks, work with the housekeeper, or check the work of the others. Not all work requires brawn or speed. His brain is worth a lot to your business.
BRA
Have you tried hiring anyone in 2024? I can't get the $50/hour guys to work on rentals, esp old houses.
You will not find another worker as good as him.
--68.50.xxx.xxx |
handyman (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Posted on: Oct 29, 2024 1:55 AM Message:
Please ignore the accidental copy/paste.
BRAD --68.50.xxx.xxx |
handyman (by Ray-N-Pa [PA]) Posted on: Oct 29, 2024 4:19 PM Message:
We are all slowing down.
Can you capitalize on it? Would the current handyman be willing to partner up with a kid in VoTec building trades program? --24.101.xxx.xxx |
handyman (by Oreo [WI]) Posted on: Oct 29, 2024 7:38 PM Message:
I also agree with BRAD and others that think you should keep him by giving him jobs that he can accomplish as well as supervise work of others not as knowledgeable.
I posted a year ago about letting my handyman go. My husband is overwhelmed now but won't admit it. Out of the blue one day he walked into our backyard and let us know he'd be available for work. We were skeptical, but gave him the task of keeping our flowers alive while we were gone on vacation. He did a better job than other times we hired him to do that. He's older and can't do what he used to, but I've hired him to clear leaves this fall. I can think of lots of tasks he can continue to do. He's honest and does a good job; he talks a bit too much, but that's him. --75.11.xx.xx |
handyman (by zero [IN]) Posted on: Oct 30, 2024 9:42 AM Message:
My new laborer talks too much at times as well.
That's one reason I can't hire him by the hour.
Now that I know I can guide him back on topic without causing drama. Keeping him away from the HVAC guys was a chore, but I worked thru it. --107.147.xx.xx |
handyman (by don [PA]) Posted on: Oct 30, 2024 9:25 PM Message:
If the old guy is open to it, team him up with a young guy who has decent ambition but lacks skills. Tell the young guy that he will be getting a tech education on your dime. --73.165.xxx.x |
handyman (by don [PA]) Posted on: Oct 30, 2024 9:25 PM Message:
If the old guy is open to it, team him up with a young guy who has decent ambition but lacks skills. Tell the young guy that he will be getting a tech education on your dime. --73.165.xxx.x |
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