Do you guys use Home Depot for install?

[Connie Chan]

A tenant in a property I don’t live near (but I don’t have a property manager for) said their garbage disposal isn’t working. A friend recommended that I just have the tenant buy a new one at Home Depot and use their installation services and reimburse them. Has anyone used Home Depot install for something like that? Not flooring or kitchen/wash room appliances? I don’t have a sense for how good of a job they do not the price. If it’s really that easy wouldn’t more landlords just outsource the fixes to them?

[Allan C.]

@Connie Chan I use TaskRabbit for my one off handyman repairs for my remote properties. I used to keep dedicated handyman but everyone eventually becomes unreliable. TR has a rating system similar to Yelp that allows you to choose your service provider. Taskers also list different hourly rates, so you’ll eventually figure out which one is better value for money.

I was reluctant to go with a platform like TR at first, but they have not disappointed.