What’s more tough - finding handyman or tenants?

Question

I am a new investor in Binghamton NY area and having major issues finding someone to do minor repairs ( flooring painting clean outs etc). Finding tenants have been so much more easier with just a quick post on FB and CL.

Just wondering if other landlords are experiencing similar situation in their markets and if can share a way around this obstacle.

Thanks!

Joe Splitrock · Answer

I have gone through several handymen. They get busy and usually take on bigger projects. I only refer my handyman to people I know, not random people. As @JD Martin mentioned, your contractors are part of your competitive advantage. I can get things fixed quickly, due to my network of contacts. My processes, marketing and people are my differentiator.

Information sharing with friends or people who share back is no problem for me, but I struggle with random people for two reasons:

1. I don't know who I am referring. You could be a pain and it could reflect poorly on me. By referring someone, I am vouching for them.

2. Some people are takers. They only ask for help and never give back. I only share with people that I know will do similar.

@Aqil Dharamsey I will offer some suggestions for finding handymen:

1. Go to Home Depot at 7AM and write down phone numbers from the side of trucks. The reason you do it at 7AM is you want a go-getter who starts the day early.

2. Find a local Facebook group for people selling things. Look for one with large numbers of people signed up. Post a "Looking for Recommendations" post asking for a handyman and detailing the type of work you do.

3. Ask your realtor for a handyman referral. Realtors always know good handymen.

Here is how to retain to good people:

1. Pay them well for the work they do.

2. Don't be picky or hard to work with.

3. Remain loyal.

If you do find a fellow landlord (or anyone) who shares information and contacts, make sure you give them a proper thank you. That could be helping them in return or giving them a small gift as a thank you. One idea is to drop off a $50 gift card to a local restaurant. I believe in the abundance mentality, but remember a big part of that is showing gratitude.

JD Martin · Answer

I'm always happy to help and give free advice and insights here on BP. I'm happy for you that someone is willing to share their contacts with you.

For me, I'm not helping my competitors. If you were in my market, unless we were good friends, I wouldn't give you contact information for the people I use. It's not personal, it's just business. My goal in my market is to destroy you, creating a one-world monopoly where I own all the best properties and have a line of individuals humbling begging for tenancy 🤣 ; barring that outcome, the next best one is one where I still stand above the competition because I have better properties, better rates relative to those properties and better service than other landlords. So yeah, if you're in my market, you're on your own.

JD Martin · Answer

Way harder finding qualified handypersons/contractors than good tenants. Finding and keeping good help these days is a non-stop struggle. Fewer people are going into the trades and it is not uncommon for the tradespeople we work with to be in their 50's or beyond.

Joe S. · Answer

That is correct. A lot of people talk about abundance mentality, but that’s just using common sense to keep your cards close to you. Once a contractor gets a lot of work they change their attitudes and prices. They weed out the weak and the weak in their mind  is the lowest paying customers.

Stephanie Jacobson · Answer

I gotchu, @Aqil Dharamsey! I'll send you two of my favorite handymen. I would post them here, but they're both semi-retired and might not want their info out in a public forum.

Finding good handymen is tough, but once you've got your guy you'll sleep a whole lot better at night. You're doing exactly the right thing: reach out to other investors in the area, ask around, read online reviews. The tough thing is that some of the best handymen around don't have any online presence, so asking your network is often the best route to take.

Patrick M. · Answer

I have a local hardware store which I have an account with. They are family run and I spend whatever I can there. They will recommend only good people to me when I ask and they will have their finger on the pulse of availability/progress and also get the word out that I am a good person to work for.

If I were you I would look around your house/units and see all the household/tool/etc. things you may need or want and then I would go down to Kovarik True Value Hardware (just did a search), introduce yourself, ask to open an account, buy some items and explain your needs... Rinse and repeat at Nielsen Hardware.

Your ability to negotiate is nil right now... build the relationships

Stephanie Jacobson · Answer

@JD Martin I've worked with @Aqil Dharamsey as a client before. But I'm also in the business of being helpful. Building loyalty and trust within a small investment community like we have here is crucial to success. There's plenty of pie to go around, and my contractors are big boys who can say no if they get too busy. When they're overloaded, I make connections with others until they're ready to jump back in.

@Joe Splitrock nails it here when he says to stay at the top of a contractor's priority list, be easy to work with. Be polite, pay on time, be clear about your goals and needs, and allow flexibility when it's needed.

Linda S. · Answer

@Aqil Dharamsey,

A good handyman is worth their weight in gold, and as others have stated-- are part of your competitive advantage.

I only give our the information to those I trust, and even then-- somehow, someone gets burned and I don't like it coming back to me.   Sometimes friends have higher expectations and get upset if it's not 100%, and sometimes friends might not pay immediately... it's just not worth the stress anymore.  I don't recommend people for reasons like that.    If you have a good contact,  make it easy on them-- they are your eyes and ears.

JD Martin · Answer

I was being facetious to some extent; of course I help people around me that I know. But I was only partially joking. As mentioned above, I have had both experiences. I have made referrals where the person ended up being a real ass for my contractor to work with, which reflects poorly on me. I have also had takers who suck up anything they can get from you in order to crush you. I've been in the business world long enough to know that those who believe in too many unicorns and rainbows soon become extinct; with a few exceptions, competing businesses are not your friends.

Caleb Brown · Answer

Definitely handyman(or any contracting job). Over the years it seems the list is always changing but when you find the good one treat them right.

What’s more tough - finding handyman or tenants?

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