All Forum Posts by: Carl W.

Not sure what state you reside in but in mine a whole bunch of people who claim to be handymen can't get employment in more stable jobs because they cannot pass a drug test.  So they are hitting the streets working for individuals.

Are they reliable?  Depends on the individual and the job you want them to do.  Electrical?  Get a licensed electrician. I've found the same with plumbers because often these guys will take hours and having you running back and forth to the big box stores for parts when the job could be done much quicker by a plumber.  And sometimes you'd think anyone can paint but some of these folks will prove this untrue.

The real test is what happens to them after you pay them at the end of the week.  Do they show up on Monday or call with some interesting excuse (I've started keeping a record of these) or are they in jail having been picked up on some kind of drug charge? 

I have a few old houses in an "interesting" area of town where a lot of people tend to walk rather than drive; the Spirit gas station they go to for goodies is only about two blocks away.  When I'm working outside I've had more of these guys tell me they are "experts" in one thing or another regarding handyman wise and are looking for work.  I typically decline especially those whose dental work is non-existent.  I've found these are folks who might show up the first day and you'll never see them again.  You will be supplying the tools needed for them to work including the most basic things such as a hammer, screw driver, etc..  If you have more expensive tools at the place you are working at make sure you comment you take these home every night when you leave.

Gail

When someone takes the time, money, and effort to get licensed and carry insurance, you know they're pretty serious about their business. An unlicensed, uninsured worker could just as easily stiff you and disappear in the night with your money.

However, it depends. I have an older couple doing most of my handyman, cleaning, and painting work and they are unlicensed and uninsured. But they've been working for us for over 20 years and they are old-school people that would never hurt themselves and then think to blame me or sue me. All the new contractors I've hired are licensed and insured and I make them fill out applications and provide documentation.

Hey Carl, wait till you find out about good contractors availability.  That will blow your mind too : )   In today's market, wow, it is a tight labor market that is for sure.  

And yes, as someone who was required to get his builders license, not because I work on homes, heck the only thing I work on with a hammer are my fingers, but because we was contracting so much work on homes I was legally required too.  When I took the builders class it was 50% more classroom hours then the realtors license.  Test was 2x as long.  I got lucky as the con ed was 20% less, today the con ed is 50% more but I got grandfathered in.  In some skilled trades you have to do an apprenticeship as well, it could be years and years for some guys.  Then add in the cost of insurance.  Oh my, and today insurance is up for everyone, not just on houses but for contractors as well.  it takes a lot of time to get and be year after year a licensed and insured contractor.  

That said, not every job requires one.  You should build relationships both ways.  Relationships are key here so when the labor market is tight, you have contractors that want to work for you and will make time for you.  

Its good to acknowledge to time and effort the licensed contractors put into it, tell them, it will make their day and make them more willing to work with you again.  

@Carl W. Licensed or unlicensed, I’d always look at referrals. Make sure that you are hiring someone who it trusted by others. For bigger jobs, I’d go with someone who is licensed, but for smaller handyman type jobs, I don’t believe a license is necessary, it is more about the persons previous work and references. I’ve used both and have saved a ton of money using my unlicensed handyman. He did mud jacking, electrical fixtures, and built a closet…but this handyman is also a family friend and we trust him. For my water heater replacement, I decided to use a licensed worker…now would I have used an unlicensed worker for the same job? Yes, if I trusted his references and experience. More risk=less cost, choose carefully

I’d be curious to know how many of you simply don’t charge any money for shared laundry services. Is it really worth the hassle? Seems like an example of counting nickels while missing dollars.

Is this typically larger unit buildings charging or are you also charging in 2-6 plex buildings?

It depends on the rents and the tenants' expectations.  In my area, $700/month rent does not get a $6,000 upgrade to central HVAC.  The window units would stay.  For $1,200+ rents, the tenants would most likely expect central HVAC.