The "Handyman/Electrician/Plumber Etc." thread (Eagan, Apple Valley: sales, apartment)

[SlyFrog]

I've been in the Lakeville/Apple Valley/Eagan area for 8 years now. In all this time, I still really do not feel like I have found a go to person for the following things (which are just examples of "around the house" type things I need done):

Painting
Electrical Work
Plumbing
Carpentry
Carpeting
Windows

Whenever I find a source, one of two things happen:

(1) I find someone that is just inept (example, someone who "fixed" my roof leak between my chimney and porch, which it later turned out was simply a botched job and started leaking again six months later);

(2) People who are looking for what seem to be just stupid outrageous prices (I understand the idea that if you do not want inept, then you have to pay, but come on, I've had three different people tell me they'll install a new window that is about 4' by 5' for over $2500. I know a freaking normal, non-Anderson/Pella window shouldn''t cost that damn much).

I need to paint the trim on my house now. Mainly because the last time I looked, I decided not to pay the kind people who were asking $3,000 to do it (it's not that big a house, believe me), and went with the guy who only wanted about $1,200. Well, surprise, surprise, two years later and it's naked wood and peeling paint on all my outside window frames.

I'm just tired of this. I'm willing to pay people a reasonable amount of money. I don't expect someone to work for cost of materials plus $10 an hour or something. But I also don't expect to get gouged, and I sure as hell would prefer not to get gouged and then screwed over with a low quality job.

How do you find people to do things like this that are professional and reasonably, or at least not extravagantly priced?

[JenLee]

Use Angie's list.

[SlyFrog]

Originally Posted by JenLee

Use Angie's list.

I'm not familiar with Angie's list. Is that someone here, or a Craig's List type of thing?

EDIT: Nevermind, I just found it. I'm leery of paying for a site like this having no idea how valuable the information really is. Has anyone used it, and found it worth the charge?

[zapchaser]

Originally Posted by SlyFrog

I've been in the Lakeville/Apple Valley/Eagan area for 8 years now. In all this time, I still really do not feel like I have found a go to person for the following things (which are just examples of "around the house" type things I need done):

Painting
Electrical Work
Plumbing
Carpentry
Carpeting
Windows

Whenever I find a source, one of two things happen:

(1) I find someone that is just inept (example, someone who "fixed" my roof leak between my chimney and porch, which it later turned out was simply a botched job and started leaking again six months later);

(2) People who are looking for what seem to be just stupid outrageous prices (I understand the idea that if you do not want inept, then you have to pay, but come on, I've had three different people tell me they'll install a new window that is about 4' by 5' for over $2500. I know a freaking normal, non-Anderson/Pella window shouldn''t cost that damn much).

I need to paint the trim on my house now. Mainly because the last time I looked, I decided not to pay the kind people who were asking $3,000 to do it (it's not that big a house, believe me), and went with the guy who only wanted about $1,200. Well, surprise, surprise, two years later and it's naked wood and peeling paint on all my outside window frames.

I'm just tired of this. I'm willing to pay people a reasonable amount of money. I don't expect someone to work for cost of materials plus $10 an hour or something. But I also don't expect to get gouged, and I sure as hell would prefer not to get gouged and then screwed over with a low quality job.

How do you find people to do things like this that are professional and reasonably, or at least not extravagantly priced?

We have a customer base of over 400 people after which has been built from years of following up behind the same type of people you are talking about. With the field of available "handy men" to choose from, I have tried and fired more people that have claimed to be skilled than I care to admit. Re-do's suck. You can't go back to the customer and claim that the roof leaked again for some other reason to cover having to eat the re-do. If the guy had done the job correctly in the first place he wouldn't be coming back to do it again. We have a 5yr. craftsmanship warranty. Just a guess as I have not seen his work but he probably caulked the step flashing instead of replacing it. The problem with "handy men" is that they are for the most part either drunks, druggies, ex-con's, or a combination of all so you have to ask yourself if you know ANYTHING about the person beyond the bid.. When applicants are told that we require a drug screen and background check, the majority of them don't show up for the first interview. Hmmmmmm It is a very tough field to be in because as soon as the term "handy man" is brought up people look at you funny. We are not handy men, we are property maintenance experts. We will not do major electrical or major plumbing as we have a master electrician and a plumber that we use. Those are areas you want to use a specialist for. There are good handy persons out there but it has taken so many flops to acquire the five that we have that it can be a little depressing. We are booked up to two weeks out quite often and our technicians are great with our customers. They are paid hourly and no commission. You want to watch for that! Most franchised services pay people as subs to avoid work comp, bennies, and so on plus they pay sales commissions which means your $15 tub knob replacement could end up as a $240 valve replacement. Don't be afraid to ask around for a good repair service! Someone in your family or friend network has one. Buyer beware and good luck!

[zapchaser]

Originally Posted by SlyFrog

I'm not familiar with Angie's list. Is that someone here, or a Craig's List type of thing?

EDIT: Nevermind, I just found it. I'm leery of paying for a site like this having no idea how valuable the information really is. Has anyone used it, and found it worth the charge?

JenLee is right. Angie's list gives you an idea of a contractor's worth by the critiques written but here is the problem. An unhappy customer will tell five people while a happy customer sits alone in their happiness. I don't remember the author. lol The site relies on member feedback. Am I a member? Yup. I use the negative feedback of our competition to train my own people. Is it worth the dollars for you? It depends on how much you rely on hired services. Angie's list is only one of the tools in your tool box.
Good luck!
Steve

[Maxwell_Taylor]

Part of the problem is that there is no license requirements for an "handyman" and therefore ANYONE can be one..You don't even have to have a drivers licenses . just a screw driver ,
A good friend of mine hired a “handyman” to do the repairs on his roof and when the guy slipped off the roof, and hurt his back .my friend had to pay all of his medical bills, I guess in Minnesota if you hire someone to work on your house he's your employee.
While on the other hand if he had hired a licensed contractor they are required by the state to carry insurance for employees, liability , vehicles, workman's comp .unemployment etc.
according to the law , when a handyman does a poor job , you can't refuse to pay “your employees”. When a contractor screws up . you can complain enough to have action taken in courts. to the point of having his livelihood taken away by the state. I have a contractor I trust with my house, they are expensive but worth every dime. My advice after seeing what hiring a handyman did to my friend. ..
“ Spend the extra money for a company thats been in business for a few years . It's cheaper in the long run.”

[Haver]

Ask your building facilities manager/engineer at work (or have a friend ask theirs if your work situation doesn't require such a guy) for a recommendation, or perhaps your apartment manager. They're often in the same situation you're in and will have built up a "go to" list over time.

[jim1davis]

Handyman can only make $499.00 per job without a license. You get what you pay for. A license contractor needs to be bonded and insured. You can check the status of his license through the California Contractors Web Site. The state is set up to protect the home owner buy forcing the contractor to follow the laws of the state. That doesn't mean all contractors are straight up good guys or gals. The word contract means just that. There should be a contract in place before any work is done. Not a handshake or verbal but a written contract. This way you know what is being done, the cost and the schedule of the project. Times are hard. You can shop around and get good prices. Make sure to read the contract and do a back ground on your contractor. That can be done a no cost to you. Are they in the Better Business as a good standing business with an "A" or better rating. Again free to check. Ask some of their other customers about their attendance did they clean up every day when finished. Did they trust them in their house unsuppervised. A good business survives on repeat customers.

[silvertree]

You are looking for cheap, and your getting it. Where are you getting your prices? Your thrifty, OK, then learn how to do it yourself. Why would someone do good work and warranty it when you are only willing to pay amateur rates.
People that advertise and have insurance, which protects you also, can't get by on pizza delivery guy wages. Good luck pal, I'm guessing you have a lot of experience in picking winners based on what you think is a fair price.

[Slig]

For those of you who suggested Angie's List, you do realize that it costs $60/year to access the site. That seems excessive to me. If I need one contract job a year I'd almost rather just go by word-of-mouth.