Handyman 101

It’s been our effort along the way to guide your handyman excursions;
trying to make it easier and faster where we can without sacrificing your or
anyone else’s personal safety, so as you embark about your next home
remodel project, take a few of these recommendations into consideration.
We’ve talked a lot on this show about specific improvements you can do
during the warming summer months, and we’ve also hit on a lot of
specialty projects that may require the hiring of a professional, but what
about general home repair and remodel? Well, Pete Lisoskie (Host, Home
Matters) wasn’t always soothing the masses with his dulcet tones. Pete is
also a handyman extraordinaire, and his company, Handyman Matters, has
been helping people with their home repair and remodels for nearly a
decade. Here are a few tips that can guide your next handyman project:

Can you do it, should you do it?
It’s easy to become overly ambitious when you jump into a project. Take
the time to slow down and consider everything ranging from materials to
cost and time, budgeting for the unexpected, and most importantly “know-
how.” If you’re not sure about something it’s a lot easier to find out in
advance. Consult someone who knows and save yourself from potential
costs and possibly a dangerous situation.

Should you hire a professional handyman?
Pete’s mantra has been from the beginning, “You get what you pay for,” and
although some may scoff at the idea of hiring a professional to do basic
home repair, the fact remains that more often than not the quality of work
is a cut above the rest. This doesn’t mean you need a contractor if you
have the experience, or if the task is simple enough; however, a company
like Handyman Matters offers help with a wide range of tasks including
bathroom remodel, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, masonry, drywall,
fencing, flooring, and just about anything else you can think of.

If you do
decide to go with a professional, understand the pricing
scheme. Click here to see Pete’s detailed information on all facets of
remodeling

Bids
The benefit to this pricing method is that you know exactly how much
you’ll pay in advance and don’t run the risk of having unexpected fees
popping into your bill at the completion of a project. The downside is that
since it’s a firm bid, the contractor has to add in costs for all potential
unforeseen issues, raising the overall cost of the project.

Estimates
Exactly that, a guess that includes the entire spectrum. You pay the actual
project cost instead of paying a premium for covering potential unforeseen
problems. The biggest disadvantage of this type of pricing is that the total
cost isn’t known, but if the price range is within your budget, it can be a
good option to choose.

Time Plus Material (T+M)
You pay for actual hours worked and the cost for materials, which may or
may not be less than a total project fee. While most companies don’t offer
this, Handyman Matters will actually advise customers on the materials to
buy and help them make a shopping list so that they don’t have to pay us
for shopping time or a warranty markup on products.

Hidden Damage
An ethical company will advise you of any problems that arise and give you
a written change order with any additional costs before proceeding with
their work. At Handyman Matters, our policy is to stop work and inform
customers of any problems discovered and get a written change order
approved detailing any extra costs before continuing with work.

The important thing is to make sure your handyman is licensed and
reliable. Understand the kind of commitment you’re making with both your
remodel project and any contract you enter into with a handyman. Make
sure to follow up in a few weeks as Pete continues with his Handyman
series. To find out more about Handyman Matters, you can contact them at
http://www.handymanmatters.com/seattle