When the time comes for you to start looking for a new handyman or perhaps a second one to take the load off your current “go to” guy, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. One way to find the right handyman for your needsis to make use of your networking skills. Talk to other property managers and landlords, they may be able to point you in the right direction. Here are 4 tips intended to help make finding the perfect handyman a little easier.
Whether you are hiring a temporary handyman or looking for a full-time contractor, you should always start with a review. Ask questions such as how long they have been in the business and what type of experience they have. Ask for references and be sure to follow up on them, talk to those they have worked for in the past, this is always a good way to find more out about them and get an idea of what they are like as a handyman.
You can have the best handyman in the city, but if he treats your tenants like crap, it won’t matter how good he is. No tenant really wants to have a stranger come into their home, even to make necessary repairs. Chances are good they are already not in the best of moods. If your handyman comes in with a bad attitude, it will only make things worse instead of better. Having a handyman with a positive attitude who can turn your tenant’s mood around, can make a huge difference in how your tenants deal with repairs.
Of all the important details you need to keep in mind in your search for a handyman, making sure they are going to be available when you need him is key to a successful relationship. Most handyman work during normal business hours, but what are you going to do when a tenant calls after hours with a problem?
In fact, most of the time, you will find tenants call after hours, which is when they get home from work. If the handyman you have on call only works business hours, your tenants are going to be stuck with that clogged toilet all night long. This is not going to make them very happy. You need a handyman who is available when you call him or if he is already on a job, can be at your rental unit within a reasonable time.
When you find the right handyman, be sure you get everything on paper. A written contract is your only guarantee. It gives you and for that matter, your tenants a safety net in case something goes wrong. It also gives you certain legal rights in the event something serious does go wrong. Be sure your contract covers rates of pay, the services you expect your handyman to provide, and what you expect their availability to be.
Following these tips is a great way to find the perfect handyman to meet your needs and those of your tenants. Be sure to take your time in your search, a little extra time doing your homework can save you a lot of aggravation in the future.
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