Finding the Right Handyman for the Job

3 Keys, or, "Highest Common Denominator"

What's the key to getting good value for your "handyman dollar?"

Actually, there are three:

One. Having the names of a couple reputable handymen, with a range of skills and hourly rates;

Two. Knowing how expensive/demanding your individual repairs are; and

Three. Matching your repair list to the handyman.

That means identifying the most challenging repair on the list, then picking the most affordable handyman qualified to do that.

"Highest Common Denominator"

Personally, I know handymen who charge $25- $35 an hour, and are more than capable of tackling light carpentry, plumbing, or electrical issues.

I also know handymen who charge $60 (or more!) per hour, but can justify that by being able to do (practically) anything that a licensed plumber, carpenter, or electrician can do.

Factor in convenience and minimum trip charges, and there are plenty of occasions when the $60/hour handyman is a bargain.

But not for touch-up painting, unclogging a sink, or repairing kiddie gates.

Then, I go with the lower end of the range.

P.S.: One of the best qualities in a handyman is when they will honestly tell you if they don't have the skills to do something. A great handyman will also tell you when something can be repaired rather than replaced, and if so, the cheap vs. expensive option.

"Picking a Handyman -- Advanced": organizing your repair list by difficulty factor.

Spend it Now -- Or Spend it Later*

Prepping For Sale

You can pay me now, or pay me later.

--Oil filter commercial, circa 1970's

One of the more difficult conversations listing agents can have with their Sellers concerns spending (some) money to prep their home for sale.

That's an especially sensitive topic if some (or all) of the homeowner's motivation for selling is financial.

The good news is, a lot of the necessary prep is free.

So, things like de-cluttering and cleaning are simply a matter of finding the time.

As burdensome as emptying an attic full of decades of memento's is, the stark reality is that what's at issue is ultimately just timing: the stuff is going to have to be donated/thrown after the Purchase Agreement is signed -- so do it beforehand, and get more money for the house!

Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Of course, not everything on the prep list can be done for free or at a steep discount (unless the homeowner is an expert painter, landscaper, or in the carpet business).

A good Realtor will suggest cost-effective repairs and improvements, knowing that $1 spent by the owner can easily return $3 or $4 AND help the home sell faster.

Ultimately, like the car owner deciding whether to buy a good oil filter or a cheap one, the decision isn't whether to spend the money.

Rather, it's whether to spend the money before the home hits the market -- or a couple months later, after it's been sitting with little or no Buyer interest, and the owner is facing both a price reduction AND cosmetic updates.

Trust me, it's a much better investment beforehand.

*Corollary: you can de-clutter your house now, and sell for more. Or, wait until it sells, then have to empty out your home in order to move.

Fixing Things on the Way Out (The Door)

"No Time Like the Present"
for Home Repairs

One of the things I've repeatedly seen over the years is Sellers, in preparation for going on the market, finally tackle all the projects they put off while they lived in the home.

Like replacing an especially stained Living Room carpet; refinishing that horribly scratched hardwood floor in the Dining Room; and getting a handyman to fix all the broken sashes in the double-hung windows.

No sooner than all those projects are complete, than the owners will invariably: a) remark how much more pleasant their home is to live in; and b) kick themselves for not having done it earlier, for themselves, rather than for the benefit of the next owners.

So, if you happen to be in this category, here's my advice: fix it -- and enjoy it -- now!