Even if you consider yourself a quick problem solver and someone adept with tools, you will eventually come face to face with a house repair job that you will not be able to figure out. This is when you will need the expertise of a trusty handyman service. Some people on the other hand are constantly depending on the help of local handymen to fix, install, clean, assemble, and maintain everything in their homes.
The good news is that handymen are highly skilled in many areas and their services are more affordable compared to hiring individual contractors to do one task or project. They are usually knowledgeable in carpentry, painting, plastering, and basic plumbing and electrical work.
What can a handyman do for you?
There are a lot of things that an experienced handyman can do for you. The jobs that they handle ranges from common house repairs such as fixing a jammed door to some unusual tasks like rescuing a pet cat.
Painting
Hiring a painter can be expensive that’s why a lot of people choose to do it themselves. However, painting walls and furniture is not as easy as it looks. You need the right tools, a steady hand, keen eye for detail, and experience if you want the result to look professional. When it comes to small painting jobs, you are better off hiring a professional handyman service to do the job. They can easily paint your fence, porch, shelves, or even furniture such as tables and chairs.
Carpentry
This is another one of their specialties. Home handyman services know their way around carpentry tools such as hammers and saws. They can follow simple blueprints. They can also measure and cut wood and other materials. The most common carpentry-related jobs handled by handymen include fixing balustrades, decks, and porches, building cabinets and shelves, door hanging, and window repairs.
Cleaning
General handyman services also include cleaning. They are normally hired to clean the outdoors such as the driveway, deck, and patio. They also do special cleaning tasks such as cleaning the fireplace and gutters, removing moulds, and cleaning the house exterior walls using a high-pressure hose.
Gardening
Handymen are also proficient at gardening work. If you know a good handyman, you don’t have to look for a lawn mowing service to cut the grass on your property. Handymen can handle lawn mowing jobs and other basic gardening tasks such as weeding, watering the plants, and doing garden cleanups.
Flatpack Assembly
Flatpack or ready-to-assemble furniture promises functional products that are quick and easy to install. However, when you’re talking about a hundred pieces of parts and screws and what-have-you, who has the time to figure it all out? That’s where a handyman comes in. A handyman specialist can follow manuals and diagrams and have sufficient experience setting up these types of furniture. From swing sets to kitchen cabinets, they can put together these furniture at a fraction of the time that it will take you to assemble it on your own.
Odd Jobs
Anything that doesn’t fall in the above categories are odd jobs that handymen can do. From fixing a broken door, replacing a light bulb, shoveling snow, replacing a window pane, and even picking up groceries. You can also hire them to hang mirrors and pictures and mount a flat screen TV securely on the wall.
Price list for handyman services
When it comes to major repairs and home improvement jobs, it’s best to hire a contractor that specialises in that area. However, for simple tasks such as replacing a busted light bulb or a shower head which shouldn’t take more than a few minutes, it will be more economical to hire a handyman since they usually charge an hourly rate for their services. They can handle different small jobs in one afternoon compared to hiring different contractors to handle each task.
The scope of the job is also a factor that affects handyman service rates. They typically charge more for tasks that will take them a whole day or two to complete. If they are bringing in their supplies and materials, they will also add that in the quote.
Based on the data gathered by ServiceSeeking.com.au, the average handyman rate is at $45 to $50 per hour. Of course some handyman services may cost more or less depending on their level of expertise, the type of job, and your location.
Want to hear what others have to say about the handymen that they have hired? Here are some reviews left by customers:
"This is the second time we have hired Allan. The work these guys do is just amazing. They have certainly step it up a notch since we last hired them. All is a real gentlemen to deal with. He always goes above and beyond what is required and never leaves without knowing we are happy with the progress of work carried out every day. Give these guys a go, you won't be disappointed!" - Steven from Putney, NSW
_ "Sam is the best! We started out asking for a quote to remove 2 air conditioners from the walls, finding bricks to patch up the outside walls, gyprock the inside walls and then paint both interior walls. Sam did a fantastic job completing all work on time and staying within his quote. Totally satisfied, and then he took away the old air cons. Beautiful!! Thoroughly pleased, I asked him for a quote to paint and undercoat the gable above the roof. Another on time, within the quote and a perfect job. Wow, decided I was on to a great handyman and asked if he could install an outside tap, taking water feed from under our kitchen sink. Another on time, on quote, perfect quote. OK, my wife and I said, let's get our fence gates fixed/replaced. We elected to replace and again, 100% satisfaction, on time and on budget. Sam is an amazing and thoroughly professional handyman. We have no hesitancy in recommending his services."_ - Larry from San Remo, NSW