Need help with a home improvement project, a qualified handyman can save you time, money and a lot of trouble.

Original article by Dawn Weinberger Family Handyman Editorial Process

To see the full article go to https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/find-handyman/

Not sure where to find such a person?  Hiring the right handyman is key. Do what you can to make sure they are reliable and honest. check to make sure they have all the required licenses and certifications for their specialty in your state or municipality. This provides peace of mind and consumer protection in the event that something goes horribly wrong.

Good news — word of mouth, the internet and social media make it super easy to gather recommendations.  When it comes to the internet, apps and social media, always be extra careful about your own safety and home security. Anyone can advertise, and sadly some are unscrupulous — so vet potential handymen carefully before allowing them into your home.

WORD OF MOUTH

Nothing beats a recommendation from a trusted friend, neighbor or colleague, so before casting your net too wide, ask people you know for referrals. You can do by asking your neighbor when you see them at the mailbox!

People are bound to tell you all the good (and the not-so-good) things about the person they hired last month for a repair.

NEXTDOOR

Nextdoor is a social media app that connects people based on the neighborhoods they live in.  You’ll find discussions from local government happenings to where to find the best tacos.  Many of the posts are centered around sharing and receiving referrals for service providers — a post asking for the name of a qualified handyman is bound to get a flurry of responses.

FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE

Facebook Marketplace is rich with listings for handyman services. You can contact people directly through the app without giving them your personal contact info.

ANGIE’S LIST

Specific to the home and garden industry, Angie’s List is a membership-based site that provides ratings and reviews on various businesses. As a member, you get to leave honest assessments about your experiences with the folks you hire, rating them on a scale from A to F. Businesses who join Angie’s List are therefore incentivized to do a really great job.

HOME ADVISOR

Home Advisor is a great option for people who don’t have a lot of time because the extensive screening is done on your behalf.

The process involves identification verification, a criminal background check and confirmation that the business has all the necessary licenses and certifications. If the business is listed as a corporation or limited liability company, Home Advisor will also make sure it is in good standing with the state it operates in.

GOOGLE, REDDIT, YELP, TASK RABBIT

Google allows people to rate the companies that advertise with them. Reddit is good old honest Q&As.  Yelp is a local site that people LOVE to check.  TaskRabbit is generally everyday joes skillful but hold regular jobs.

BBB

Better Business Bureau is old school and still going strong.  The BBB accredited business seal instantly identifies businesses committed to honesty and integrity.  The BBB will assist you if there is a complaint, has a scam tracker and has multiple consumer resources. 

State Dept of Commerce

Every state has a department of Commerce.  Their job is to oversee more than 40 industries to protect consumer interests and ensure a fair and competitive marketplace.  They also manage depts that regulate licensing contractors.  You can visit the state’s website to check on licenses, bonds, certifications and registrations.