How to pre qualify a handyman?

How to pre qualify a handyman?

Sharad M.Pro Member
Carlsbad, CA · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes

I need some small work done at one of my rental properties, so I have been calling some handyman to get an estimate. To stay organized I made a list of questions to ask each person I call. I thought it would be helpful to other BP members to post the list. Not sure if there's already one out there. May be some experienced members can add more to the list. Below is the list:

1) Are you licensed and insured to work in the local city? Do you have sufficient workers compensation and general liability insurance?
2) Do you work in local city?
3) Where are you based out of?
4) Will you provide a written quote of the work?
5) Are you available 24/7 for emergency calls?
6) Do you have your own truck?
7) Do you do this full-time or something you do on the side?
8) How many years have you been doing this for?
9) How do you charge for your work? By the job or by the hour?
10) How do you accept payment and do you require a deposit?
11) Can you provide references?
12) Will you provide a written contract?
13) Do you work on the weekends?
14) Do you provide an invoice for your work after completion?
15) What kind of work you don’t do?
16) Do you guarantee your work?

Hope other members find it helpful.

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Real Estate Investor · Alpharetta, GA · Member since 2010 · 415 posts · 484 votes
15y

"You understand that you're not getting paid one thin dime until the job is done to my satisfaction, right?"

That usually obviates the need for the exhaustive interview list.

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  • Real Estate Investor · Alpharetta, GA · Member since 2010 · 415 posts · 484 votes
    15y

    "You understand that you're not getting paid one thin dime until the job is done to my satisfaction, right?"

    That usually obviates the need for the exhaustive interview list.

  • Investor · Southlake, TX · Member since 2009 · 950 posts · 338 votes
    15y

    I must admit that I found my repair guy in the local small town paper. I asked for references, they all came back good so I hired him. He's been very good for me. Always very responsive and offers good suggestions on how to repair things either cheaper or more efficiently.

  • Sharad M.Pro Member
    OP
    Carlsbad, CA · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y

    As I buying more rental properties, I want to have a maintenance person that I can rely on and my tenants can call in case of emergency, so I am trying to contact some handyman from CL to find a good one. I have found one and his rate is $25/hr. Does that rate seem reasonable?

  • Investor, Entrepreneur, Educator · Springfield, MO · Member since 2009 · 21k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    15y

    Do you have all the tools necessary to do this job?

    A guy showed up to dotile work forme and only had a rotor saw, no straight edge. My tools were at the cabin. Went to Lowes and bought a tile saw!

  • Sharad M.Pro Member
    OP
    Carlsbad, CA · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y
    Originally posted by Financexaminer:
    Do you have all the tools necessary to do this job?

    A guy showed up to dotile work forme and only had a rotor saw, no straight edge. My tools were at the cabin. Went to Lowes and bought a tile saw!

    Bill,

    That's a great point. I am going to check with the handyman I have coming this weekend. I hope he's not expecting me to have the tools because if he is I am not sure if he will be able to install a door, couple of cabinets and a water heater with a screw driver and a hammer.

  • Real Estate Investor · Alpharetta, GA · Member since 2010 · 415 posts · 484 votes
    15y

    I never pay anyone by the hour. It puts us at odds with what is best for each other.

    Quote a price to do a job. If you end up making $100/hour, I don't care. If you end up making $2/hour, lesson learned.

  • Investor, Entrepreneur, Educator · Springfield, MO · Member since 2009 · 21k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    15y

    I get both, I get them to give a bid by the job and then I ask what they want an hour. Then we talk about how skilled they are and what others are getting. Then I might point out I'm not withholding and what tah's worth to them.

    Then I might say, tell ya what, I'll pay you XX an hour and I'll help you (supervise) and pay no more than XXX for the job, which ever is less. They usually take it.

    That's with handyguys, not CGs with a crew.

  • Flipper/Rehabber · Bakersfield, CA · Member since 2008 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    15y

    Do you speak Spanish? I know not politically correct but heck...

  • Sharad M.Pro Member
    OP
    Carlsbad, CA · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y

    Its 6.15 am and i just got a very strange call from the handyman that i thought was going to work on my property.

    The call went like this:

    Handyman: Is this Max"
    Me: "Yes"
    Handyman: "I am the handyman you had hired to work on your property tomorrow. I am just calling to let you know that i wont be able to do that. You askd me to send you insurance information and you ae asking for too much information. Go #### yourself, you mother######"

    I just hung up. Leasons learned/question to add:

    1) do you have too much to drink and start calling and swearing at the people you are supposed to work with?

    Would you guys do anything other than moving onto the next guy?

  • J ScottPro Member
    Moderator
    Investor · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2008 · 17k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    15y

    [quote=Max I
    Handyman: "I am the handyman you had hired to work on your property tomorrow. I am just calling to let you know that i wont be able to do that. You askd me to send you insurance information and you ae asking for too much information. Go #### yourself, you mother######"

    And this is exactly why you want someone with insurance. Would you want someone like that working on one of your properties without knowing that he was covered in the case of liability?

    Just move on to the next...unfortunately, this won't be the strangest encounter you ever have...

  • Investor, Entrepreneur, Educator · Springfield, MO · Member since 2009 · 21k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    15y

    Good point Jason! Really, at least in my area, if you are not willing to take the risk of having a job done by an uninsured good ole' boy, you'll need to call a CG, you know, the kind that have offices, employess and overhead. Most guys with pickups and magnetic signs don't have insurance, heck, they may not have a license!
    Ome work for less if there is a case of beer there too!

  • Investor · Lenexa, KS · Member since 2010 · 215 posts · 121 votes
    15y
    Originally posted by Max I:
    You askd me to send you insurance information and you ae asking for too much information. Go #### yourself, you mother######"

    Good Ole Boy Translation:
    Damn, I'm not gonna get one over on this one. On to the next sucker. Oh look there is a retirement community, cha ching!

  • Sharad M.Pro Member
    OP
    Carlsbad, CA · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y

    I also gotta say that I saw my phone ringing, the first thought that went through my mind was a tenant calling to have a toilet fixed or something like that, but when he said he was the handyman, I felt very relieved.

  • Sharad M.Pro Member
    OP
    Carlsbad, CA · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y

    Would you hire this handyman?

    So I found this handyman, sounds very professional on the phone. He has everything going for him, except for the fact that he isn't insured. He's licensed, but not insured. He said he is willing to sign a liability waiver and he will get notarized in front of a witness. He said he has done this with couple of other investor with no issues.

    He said he understands my concern for liability issue, but he will sign the waiver and it shouldn't be any problem. I also mentioned to him that I might be having a big job coming in for him in the future and he said he will get insured. But he said for now a liability waiver should suffice any issues.

    He seems like a great person, professional, very well spoken. I would hire him in a hearbeat if it weren't for the insurance. He said that he's trying to develop relationships with new investors so that he is able to afford insurance.

    I am fairly new investor and I really like the idea of helping someone grow their business as I grow mine. What do you guys think? Would you give someone like this a chance?

  • Specialist · Portland, OR · Member since 2010 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    15y

    Are you saying he is not bonded? In Oregon you lose your license if you let your bond slip. Is there a contractor's board where you can verify his license?

    People can be charming but verify honesty to the letter. At least know who you are dealing with.

    Handymen come and handymen go. As a group I have found them to be very independent, here today, the Phillipines tomorrow.

    A good handyman is the best thing. I tend to be generous, just so they will be responsive because I offer very little work. On the other hand I won't be over charged, and expect bids. Sometimes you have to take what is available. I have found being there and working along side makes all the difference.
    Right now I am using a guy that lost everything in a condo project. Sometimes he does little things no charge and sometimes he is expensive. I know that when I call him it will be done right and I don't have to be there.

  • J ScottPro Member
    Moderator
    Investor · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2008 · 17k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    15y
    Originally posted by Max I:
    Would you hire this handyman?

    ....

    He has everything going for him, except for the fact that he isn't insured. He's licensed, but not insured.

    Nope, I wouldn't hire him.

    But, let me tell you a story. About two years ago, I was working on House #5, and I needed a painter. I saw a sign in the neighborhood in front of a house that had a great looking paint job. I called the number on the sign.

    The guy came over (he lived in the neighborhood) and gave me an interior and exterior paint quote. It was $1500 less than any bid I had gotten so far, so I asked him how he was able to do it so cheaply.

    He said that he just quit his job at a big painting company, was going out on his own, and was looking for work and wanted to build some relationships. Unfortunately, he didn't have insurance, so I told him that once he got insurance, I would certainly give him a shot. I gave him my card and told him to give me a call.

    After thinking about it for a couple hours, I called the guy back. I asked him how much it would be to get 6 months of insurance for him and his crew. He called his insurance company and found out it would be about $1000.

    So, I told him I'd give him $1000 more than his bid (upfront), which was still $500 less than my other bids. He got his insurance, and we gave him the painting job.

    Not only did he do a great job, but it turns out that he had a crew that could also do flooring, basic plumbing, basic electrical, basic carpentry, and a host of other stuff.

    Here we are two years later and he and his crew have done about 18 houses for us -- probably about 80% of the work we've done over the past two years. He still gives us great prices, and we refer him to every investor we know to keep him busy.

    Turns out that paying for his insurance was a win/win all around...

    Not saying you should do that, but it's always good to be creative...

  • near Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2011 · 78 posts · 33 votes
    15y
    Originally posted by J Scott:
    [quote=Max I
    Handyman: "I am the handyman you had hired to work on your property tomorrow. I am just calling to let you know that i wont be able to do that. You askd me to send you insurance information and you ae asking for too much information. Go #### yourself, you mother######"

    This is so utterly foolish, you almost have to sit back and just crack up. What is happening to America? Sounds a bad movie track.

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