All handyman I talk to are overbooked

[Michael A.]

I need a handyman to do some remaining repairs in order to get my empty unit rented out. I have 3 handyman contacts who are all overbooked and can’t get out for months. My property manager knows a handyman who will try to get me on the schedule but I still haven’t heard anything. 

What should I do? Every month that goes by without a tenant is costing me money. I plan to keep looking for alternative handyman in the area. Anyone have any ideas of who I should contact for referrals. It’s in the Dayton area of Ohio. 

Work consists of painting some floors, installing a window, new safety stair rail, cleaning the unit, installing a vent system in bathroom, etc. 

[Patricia Steiner]

You're going to hate this so brace yourself:  how about you?  Before I let my property sit vacant, I would be painting that floor and putting in that stair rail.  Email your friends and find how who knows how to install a window - or if they know 'a guy' who does - and get it done.  Depending on the scope of the vent, you could hire a specific trade to do it versus trying to find a handyman who would be willing to take on such a wide set of tasks.  Everyone is booked solid in my market too...and I find that creating my own team works best.  Trade school students, retirees, the guy across the street from the property who works on  his house all the time - are all potential candidates; I work beside them to assess skill level and make sure we're on the same page.  The loyalty that comes from that ensures that when I need them, they show.  Putting people in business for themselves is pretty powerful.

Best...and congrats on your investment.