Putting up a barn door looked deceptively straightforward.
They always look effortless on home-improvement shows: the hosts hang them on the track, slide them smoothly back and forth, and it’s done. How hard could it be?
Then the door arrived at my house. It came unassembled and unpainted, with none of the hardware attached. Installing it required tools and know-how I didn’t have.
I realized I needed professional help, so I started asking neighbors and searching online for a skilled handyperson. I collected bids — and they varied widely in both the estimated time and the price.
Only one handyman asked a lot of questions, so I hired him. He wasn’t the cheapest, but his thoroughness convinced me he knew what he was doing. He showed up with extra supplies he expected I’d need based on our conversation, and he even hauled away the old door. It went far better than if I’d attempted it myself.
Gathering bids can take time, and it’s tempting to pick the first or lowest offer, but that’s not always wise. Asking the right questions when evaluating professionals can save you time, money and headaches later on.
Call a Pro or Do It Yourself? How to Decide
If you’re unsure of your abilities or the job involves roofing, electrical work or plumbing, get a professional, says Ed Padilla, founder and director of The Association of Certified Handyman Professionals.
For basic tasks, a handyperson may be sufficient. They handle many jobs such as caulking, gutter cleaning, small painting projects, tile work, drywall repairs, hanging artwork or window treatments, and installing light fixtures or ceiling fans. Avoid DIY projects you might later regret.
Hiring a handyperson for a few hours to tackle several small tasks can be efficient, since many handypeople bill hourly.
Not everyone charges by the hour, though. Padilla says he prefers to quote per project.
“I want to take my time doing it,” he said. “I don’t want to be rushed because someone doesn’t want to pay two hours for a job they think will take an hour. It should be underpromise and overdeliver. I might run into issues.”
Tradespeople usually specialize — plumbing, electrical, painting, HVAC or flooring. If you need a faucet replaced, an outlet added, an AC fixed, a whole-house paint job, or new floors installed, hire someone trained in that area. Often, they charge per job rather than by the hour.
Contractors are typically used for larger undertakings like additions and remodels. They oversee entire projects and often subcontract parts of the work, generally charging a per-project fee.
How to Locate the Right Pro for Your Job
Whatever type of professional you need, aim to find someone skilled and reasonably priced. Investing time in finding the right person can spare you from fixing errors or enduring shoddy work later.
Understand the Scope of the Job
Padilla recommends watching how-to videos before you begin searching for a pro.
“Learn how the task is done — not necessarily that you’re going to don overalls and do it yourself — but understand the basics so you can tell they’re doing the right thing,” he said.
Knowing a little about the work helps you ask smarter questions when interviewing candidates.
Ask for Referrals
Many handypeople and tradespeople depend on word of mouth, so friends and relatives can be excellent sources of recommendations.
“Word of mouth goes a long way and is the cheapest, best marketing,” Padilla said. “The chatty person at church can be your best resource because she’s not afraid to tell you if someone is good or not.”
Real estate agents also frequently engage vendors to handle odd jobs when preparing homes for sale.
Community message boards and local hardware stores are other places to find referrals.
Use Websites and Apps
Various apps and websites let clients and professionals assess one another to determine if a job is a match. Some sites let you post project details and receive responses from interested pros:
- Angi: The members-only platform formerly called Angie’s List, where users can read detailed, verified reviews.
- HomeAdvisor: Promotes screening that includes criminal background checks and license verification.
- Thumbtack: Connects customers and professionals for “just about anything,” per the site.
- Yelp: Useful for finding local businesses and reading reviews.
Sites like these can make soliciting bids efficient, says Nate Chai, Thumbtack’s Senior Director of Pro Engagement.
“You can see reviews and backgrounds within a couple of clicks,” Chai said. “It’s much easier than calling multiple people and repeating your project over and over.”
Apps such as Thumbtack let customers submit project details, which the platform then sends to pros who may be a fit. Customers can review profiles, experience and other criteria before contacting anyone, and decide when to share personal info like phone numbers and addresses.
Read Reviews
Before contacting anyone, review their feedback. Consider these questions:
- Does the review appear to be from a real client, or could it be a friend or family member?
- Are reviews uniformly perfect or uniformly awful? Most real feedback sits somewhere in between.
- Check for complaints on the Better Business Bureau.
Chai notes that people often miss a crucial part of reviews: how the business responds.
“If a pro is very defensive in replies, that tells you something about working with them versus someone who offers solid customer service and fixes problems,” he said.
Additional tips when reviewing candidates:
- Watch for paid sponsorships that may push a company to the top of search results.
- Be cautious of individuals who show up at your door unsolicited.
- Search both the person’s name and company name online to see what turns up — “you never know what you’re going to find,” Padilla says.
Questions to Ask a Prospective Handyperson
After narrowing your list to a few candidates, dig into the details.
This person will be in your home doing a job, so ensure you feel comfortable. Chai says it’s fine to ask what safety measures they’re taking amid the pandemic.
Padilla warns that some handypeople overestimate their abilities. They might focus on potential earnings rather than whether they can actually perform the task.
“Some folks don’t know when to say no when it’s beyond their skill set, and consumers need to watch for that,” he says.
Be specific about what you want done and ask pointed questions.
Some questions to consider:
- Do you have the skills to handle this?
- Do you own the tools required?
- How many times have you completed this sort of project? (If someone primarily installs flooring, be cautious about hiring them to install a ceiling fan.)
- How would you approach the job? Ask for a plan and timeline.
- How long do you expect it to take and why?
- What is the toughest part of this task?
- What potential problems might arise?
- Does this work require a permit?
- What materials will be necessary? Will you provide them or should I? Are there alternative materials?
- When are you available? (If their calendar is wide open, be slightly suspicious — good handypeople are often booked ahead.)
- Do you guarantee your workmanship?
- Can you share references?
Don’t hesitate to ask about licenses and insurance. Some states require handypeople to be licensed and bonded to offer services. Trades like roofing, plumbing and electrical work often require specific licenses.
Padilla says the most critical question is about liability insurance. He advises never letting someone into your home without proof of coverage.
“A handyman should always have proof of insurance,” he said. “It’s a one-page document that states the person and company are insured and shows coverage limits.”
He adds it’s important to verify that the policy covers incidents that may occur after the worker has left for the day; some policies only cover liability while the worker is on site.
You can also ask personal questions. Ask why they became a handyperson and what qualities they bring to the job.
Padilla suggests asking whether the person owns the business. Owners have more at stake if something goes wrong and more to gain when things go well.
“We’re trying to separate ourselves from the guys making beer money on the weekend,” he said. “We want people invested in the trade, not temporary operators who might disappear.”
Finally, ask if the candidate has any questions for you.
Get an Estimate — and Talk About Payment
Before hiring someone, request a written estimate and discuss payment methods.
Knowing if a contractor prefers cash, electronic invoices, credit cards, or money-transfer apps like Venmo or PayPal prepares you ahead of time.
If someone asks for full payment up front, you may want to keep looking.
How to Weigh Your Options
After receiving written estimates, evaluate them and choose. Price shouldn’t be the only consideration.
- Clarify what the price covers and whether the professional guarantees the quoted price. If not, ask what might cause the cost to change.
- Ask about price differences. If one quote is much higher than another, ask why. Often, different professionals are estimating the job differently.
- Be wary of offers that seem too good to be true. If one estimate says a week and another says a day, something’s off.
- Negotiate if needed. If a project is beyond your budget, ask how to reduce cost — by narrowing the scope or doing some prep work yourself.
- Don’t be rushed. “Trust your instincts,” Padilla said. “If something feels wrong, walk away; there are plenty of reputable handypeople.”
- Judge their professionalism. You’re interviewing this person: do they respect your time, respond promptly, and answer questions fully?
Once you decide, notify everyone promptly, including those you didn’t hire — they may be right for a future job.
While the work is underway, show interest and ask questions if you’re unsure about something.
After the job is finished and before the handyperson leaves, inspect the work carefully. It can be harder to get issues corrected once someone has been paid and moved on.
Chai reminds customers to be considerate during this process, especially with many small businesses still recovering financially.
“This might not be the time to squeeze someone for every last dollar, knowing they may be struggling,” he said. “A bit of kindness and understanding can go a long way.”
Jordan Fields is a freelance reporter based in Florida with more than 25 years’ experience covering finance, health, travel and related topics.
