Selecting a Quality Handyman – From your Vancouver Mortgage Broker

Selecting a Quality Handyman – From your Vancouver Mortgage Broker

Finding a skilled and competent handyman to complete your home improvement project is key to getting the job done right. You can take it from your Vancouver mortgage broker that selecting the wrong person to do the job can be nothing but an endless source of frustration and added expense.

There is a big difference between a handyman and a contractor. A quality handyman doesn’t even have to be licensed, but is just one of those people who has a natural talent and inherent skill to do the job.

However, here are a few tips to hire that perfect person to get the job done right.

Type of Job

If you’re planning a big job then you’d be better off going with a licensed general contractor. If you have a smaller job such as putting in a new deck or fence, then a handyman might be just the person you need.

You want to make sure they have the skills to do the job so make sure you ask them lots of questions about how they plan to do the work. This is so you can get an idea about their skill level because a good handyman is fairly competent in a number of different trades. Also, if something has to be up to code or inspected such as electrical work, then you want to hire the appropriate tradesperson who is suitably licensed.

How to Find a Quality Handyman

Some companies list themselves as specialists in this type of work. You can also locate them through family members, friends or co-workers. The really professional ones will likely also be listed in the CHBA (Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA). This means they follow the association’s code of ethics and will provide warranties for the work they perform.

Basic Questions to Ask

You should always ask your prospective handyman for references, and for any applicable licensing. It’s also a good idea to ask about what insurance they carry and especially if they have WSIS (Workplace Safety and Insurance System) and business liability.

Contact the Referrals

As you’ve asked for references, you should also contact a few of these people to get a better idea about the quality of the person you are considering. Ask them about the job that was performed, and whether it was performed to the person’s satisfaction. This includes questions about the quality, budgeting, whether it was completed on schedule, and whether there were any problems.

Get Estimates

It’s always a good idea to get more than one estimate because they can range considerably. The cheaper estimate is not necessarily the best estimate either. Most experts say the estimates should be within 10 – 15% of each other. They also suggest you should not get more than 5 estimates because you could risk alienating the good handymen.

The Contract

You want to be very clear that the contract includes everything that goes into the proposed cost for the project. This includes not just labour, but also materials, using subcontractors, applicable building permits, and the terms of the payment.

You also want to know if the job will include a full or partial clean-up and disposal of old materials. There are plenty of boilerplate contracts that you can download from various sites if you want the terms spelled out clearly.

Final Tip

You want a handyman that is up front with you. They should have good communication skills and not be vague. Respect should be shown from both side, and they should be very open about answering questions.

A quality handyman can make all the difference. Take it from your Vancouver mortgage broker that home renovations and repairs are important when you want to sell a home or save money down the road.