Handyman services are invaluable to all types of homeowners, but one category stands out above all others. That is when it comes to the elderly or infirm. Many people are unable to carry out routine maintenance jobs around their homes because they are debilitated either by age or sickness. And yet these individuals are among the most vulnerable in our society. Although they need a handyman, they are also statistically more likely to fall foul of unscrupulous individuals who take advantage of their social isolation. Every year, the media reports shocking tales of financial loss and emotional distress because of the unwelcome attention of cowboys and criminals.
Why It’s Hard To Find A Reputable Handyman
A skilled handyman with a good reputation for his or her work is much in demand. While most tradesmen of this type are honest and genuinely care about the work they do for their customers, there is always an unscrupulous 1% that takes advantage of their customers, providing poor workmanship and unreliable services. In fact, there is no official licensing system or regulation in place for handymen. For the vast majority of jobs that a handyman is asked to carry out around the home, the experience is the only criterion.
This means that whether you or an elderly relative is inviting decorators or kitchen fitters into the home to carry out work, the burden of checking out their reputation lies with the customer. Most handymen rely primarily on word of mouth for sourcing work. If you don’t know someone who has had a man in who has done a good job, you can be forgiven for not knowing where to start when it comes to finding good decorators or roofers like The Roof Doctors to carry out work around the home.
Avoid Being Taken Advantage Of
If you have need of a handyman, there are a few things to bear in mind before appointing anyone to be sure that you’ll be getting a fair service from them. These apply whether you’re hiring someone to mend fencing in your garden or decorators to carry out work in your home. Firstly, be wary of unsolicited callers who ring your doorbell volunteering to work for cash. You have no way of knowing who this person is; whether he or she has the right expertise for the job; or even whether you will be charged a fair price. If you invite a handyman round to give you an estimate, make sure that you are issued with a written quotation that lists what work will be done and how much you will pay for it.
Ask them specifically about their experience. You should check out any references the tradesman can offer. Independent sources are best. Try searching the Internet for the individual’s name or the name they are trading under to see if any previous client has had anything negative to say about them. Alternatively, ask them if they are voluntarily registered with any industry body: although there’s no formal regulation of the handyman industry, there are one or two trades associations that seek to raise standards.
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