What A Handyman Can Do For You

Do you have some odd jobs around the house that would be perfect for a handyman? Perhaps you’re not entirely sure if a handyman is a right person to complete a job you need? At BorisDoes, we understand that it can be tricky to decide who you should hire for each job. To give you an understanding of what a handyman is and what they can do for you, as well as some tips on how to hire the right one for you, we’ve put together this helpful guide.

Who is a handyman?

A handyman is also known as a “jack of all trades”. They come from all sorts of backgrounds – some with trade backgrounds and some simply with a penchant for fixing things. Something that sets handymen apart is that they take on the challenge of doing a variety of jobs. For a good handyman, no job is too big or too small. Whether it’s a simple or complex job, they will be ready to tackle the task and come equipped with all the tools required to do so.

Builders vs. Handymen

Often it can be tricky to work out who to hire when you need a job done. Builders and handymen have very different skill sets, and it’s important to know the difference so you can decide which one you need and get on with the job! A builder requires a high level of education, experience, and training. Their main responsibility is managing an overall project and liaising with other professionals to get the job done. Unlike a builder, a handyman doesn’t require a specific qualification – however, they are still skilled and capable of completing many different household tasks. 

When do I need a handyman?

Recently, there’s been an increasing trend of homeowners hiring handyman services for jobs they could do but would rather pay someone to complete. After all, life is busy, and there isn’t always time to get everything done. Luckily, this is where a handyman comes in! Whether you’re just lacking in time or feel as though your skills don’t match the task at hand, a handyman can help. Since the range of jobs that they can complete is so varied, there is no definitive answer as to when exactly you need a handyman, if you need help with a project around the house or garden, the likelihood is that a handyman can help! 

What can a handyman do for me? 

General home maintenance

A handyman can do almost any general home maintenance job you can think of. Pruning, cleaning, tidying are all within their skillset. If your house requires a spring clean, but you’re too busy with work, a handyman can easily help you get the job done. Don’t want to spend your time doing hard work in the garden during the heat of the day? A handyman is used to these kinds of challenges, and it’s no problem for them. 

Installing fixtures

Installing fixtures can be tricky when it comes to trying to figure out which wire is what and what connects to where. It can also be risky to handle electrics if you don’t have experience.  A handyman can help install any kind of fixtures such as a TV, home entertainment system, mount brackets, and more. 

Small carpentry jobs 

Although not a qualified carpenter, there are plenty of small carpentry jobs that a handyman can do. Fitting shelves, installing new doors, erecting sheds, and changing door handles or locks are all within a handyman’s skillset.

Gutter cleaning and repair

The concept of cleaning a gutter is simple, yet there are potential complications that may arise, such as falling from ladders. An experienced handyman can easily complete any gutter cleaning or repairing tasks you may need to protect your safety. Not only can a handyman inspect and clean a gutter, but they can also repair the damage that you might not even have been aware of!

Painting 

Painting is not just reserved for professional painters. In fact, many handymen are skilled painters. If you are on a budget and are looking for a convenient option to get your painting work done, you might want to consider the services of a handyman – and save yourself plenty of money!

Odd jobs that you can’t do yourself

We all have those odd jobs around the house on the to-do list but never seem to get done. Minor repairs that we’re not sure how to approach can weigh on the mind. Sometimes, we may not have the required equipment to complete the task, and handymen can help. No matter if you don’t have a ladder tall enough to change your light bulbs or whatever else the issue may be, a handyman can be a cost-effective alternative to calling an electrician. 

If you are unsure whether a handyman can do a particular task, it doesn’t hurt to discuss the task with them, outlining what you need and asking if they can complete the task.

What kind of jobs can’t a handyman do?

Although skilled in many areas, there are cases in which you might need to hire a licensed professional instead. For example, plumbing jobs will generally require the work of a licensed plumber. Similarly, if you have an electrical job, you should leave it to a licensed electrician as it can be unsafe for anyone but licensed professionals to work with electric wires. Gas fitting is another job that should be left to licensed professionals rather than handymen. 

Although they can’t complete jobs that require specific qualifications, handymen can still work with appliances! Installing home theatres, TV mountings, or threading cables through your wall are all tasks that a handyman can help you with. 

How much does a handyman cost?

Understandably, your budget may be near the top of your list of concerns when you’re looking for a handyman. Every handyman is different and will charge a different rate based on their level of experience and the level of difficulty of the task at hand. However, in general, you should expect to pay anywhere between $40-90 an hour. On BorisDoes, you can easily compare quotes from different handymen to find the best tasker for your budget. 

What kind of licenses does a handyman need to have?

Although a handyman doesn’t need any formal training or specific trades certificates to become a handyman, they need to have experience in a wide range of related skills. However, since they will be working in and around your home, they will require various insurances to ensure that you are both protected in case anything goes wrong. If they are going to work as a self-employed handyman, they will need an ABN. They should also have personal injury, third party, and property damage insurance for extra protection. 

How to find the best handyman 

Make sure they can do the jobs you need them to

Handymen have a wide range of skills, but there is no guarantee that all of them will be able to complete the jobs you need. You should clearly outline the tasks you need to be completed, and the handyman should be able to tell you whether they can meet your requirements.

Get more than one quote

It may be tempting to go with the cheapest quote, but this is not always the best idea. If a quote seems too good to be true, the likelihood is that it is. By getting several quotes and comparing, you can make sure that you are getting a good deal from a handyman who will do your job well. 

Check that they have insurance

Handyman insurance protects your home from any damages that may arise due to complications and if the handyman is injured during their work. On BorisDoes, it is easy to check if a handyman has verified insurance by looking for the insurance badge on their profile. If you have any additional queries about a specific handyman’s insurance, you can always discuss it with them in the chat before accepting them as a tasker.

Read past customer reviews

You can read past customer reviews and see the tasker’s overall star rating on their profile. Reading customer reviews can help you understand what they do well and how satisfied customers were with their previous work.