Hiring a handyman doesn’t have to be expensive.
There are a few things you can do to minimize the costs associated with hiring tradespeople, whilst still ensuring you will get a quality job done. Hiring a handyman can actually be more cost effective when done right.
Sourcing Options
One of the best methods for finding local tradespeople is via word of mouth. Ask around and see if your friends or family members have used anyone recently that they would recommend. There are several advantages of using recommended options.
You know they have previously done quality work (often you also have the luxury of being able to view this work for yourself), and the tradesperson is likely to appreciate the referral, sometimes offering a small discount as thanks.
Research
Finding out basic information about the tradespeople you are looking to hire, their regular fees and charges, and checking out reviews of their previous work can go along way to helping you decipher who might be a good fit for your job (and budget!). Make sure you also check out their insurance cover – even a good job can go wrong, and you want to make sure any costs associated with accidental damage are covered.
Once you’ve got a list of potential laborers, make sure you get multiple quotes. To save some money, make sure the service you are contacting offers free quotes, rather than paid ones. Asking your traders to itemize your quote will ensure you can accurately compare the offers. One may initially seem more expensive but includes a lot more, making it better value for money.
Supplied and Installed?
A considerable portion of the cost when using tradespeople is the supplies. By incorporating them into the quote, you are paying for your trades to source and purchase your supplies on your behalf. Your quote will likely include a fee or marked up price for this privilege.
By simply sourcing materials yourself, and just asking for a quote on the labor, you will be saving yourself the retail mark-up. Additionally, you may find you have a lot more options in terms of materials you can use for the project.
Consider DIY
With a little education and practice, there are a lot of handyman projects around the home that you are able to do yourself for a fraction of the cost. Doing some research on what is actually involved in any given task is worth it, as you may discover it is something that is well within your capabilities.
There are many ways you can reduce costs when embarking on your next home improvement project, none of which mean you have to sacrifice quality. Opting for the cheapest option is often not the best investment.
Sourcing your own materials, doing your research, and doing what you can yourself, are all ways to reduce costs without having to resort to poor workmanship.
