Handyman in Plano/Sachse areas (fit in, insurance, appliances)

[Iron_man2008]

Hello all,

We are looking for a handyman to do some of the house work, like mounting TVs, installing curtains rod, bidet, ceiling fans, etc.

I heard some of them do offer insurance in case they mess up their work, or in case they mount a TV and it falls off down the road or something along these lines.

Any good recommendations? Have you used a specific company? Would you recommend them? Good/reasonable prices?

[Rakin]

Lot of that kind of items are very simple. If you're going to own a home, you ever thought about learning to do things yourself ?

[Iron_man2008]

Originally Posted by Rakin

Lot of that kind of items are very simple. If you're going to own a home, you ever thought about learning to do things yourself ?

Well it requires some specific equipment and understanding of how to use them. I am not going to mount a TV based off a youtube video.

[biafra4life]

Nextdoor.com is probably the better place to ask these types of questions. People in your neighborhood can give you better recommendations for handymen.

[escanlan]

Originally Posted by Iron_man2008

Hello all,

We are looking for a handyman to do some of the house work, like mounting TVs, installing curtains rod, bidet, ceiling fans, etc.

I heard some of them do offer insurance in case they mess up their work, or in case they mount a TV and it falls off down the road or something along these lines.


A "good" Handyman is not going to do something this ignorant. But if you want insurance you should certainly ask them to provide a current policy certificate. Make sure you check if the policy is a "Claims Made" or an "Occurrence" based policy. The first will cover the Handyman even after the policy period ends where as the latter only covers the Handyman if the claim is made during the policy coverage period.


Any good recommendations? Have you used a specific company? Would you recommend them? Good/reasonable prices?

Comments in blue above.

Originally Posted by Iron_man2008

Well it requires some specific equipment and understanding of how to use them. I am not going to mount a TV based off a youtube video.

Actually the equipment required is not really specific for most if not all of the items you list above. They are tools that every homeowner should consider having on hand.



As for the YouTube video aspect I have used videos many times to understand subjects I am not completely familiar on and just last year alone saved literally thousands of dollars doing work myself not just on the home but vehicles, appliances, etc.



The importance of using the videos is to have sufficient awareness to determine how a particular video may fit into your own situation and how it is useful to you. For example last year I replaced the blower motor in the HVAC system and used the video to see what I could not see about the process without starting it. There were a couple of unique hidden factors that I might have caused damage if I did not know they were there. That one video/series of videos took maybe an hour to review. I saved almost $1,500.00 for what really was a very simple task. What tools did it take?

• A socket set that if you don't use a lot you can get at Harbor Freight for about $20.00
• Two screwdrivers and again you can get a set for <$10.00
• A hex wrench set that can be had for <$10.00
• A drop light for better lighting which is useful for many other things and <$12.00
• To be safe a non contact voltage sniffer so I don't torch my hinie thinking I did actually shut power down to the unit. Cost about $8.00
• A pair of decent work gloves so I don't slice my hands up on sharp metal while pulling the motor cage out.

All of these items are useful for many other simple projects and work around the home.



Let's see what could $1,500.00 buy?

• 3+ months worth of home utility bills.
• 9+ months of chow and treats for my two Chow Hound Labs
• A simple plumbing repair last year that cost 1/10 of what I saved but I was not going to screw with because it did take a specialty tool I have no future use for and was very expensive.
• Now to a fun thing for less than 1/2 that amount I can buy a brand new 65" flat screen TV to replace the one that did not fall off the wall because it was installed right (by me) but took a lightning hit and wiped it out. LOL

There are so many things that homeowners do not realize they are capable of doing themselves. I do highly recommend homeowners get involved in doing their own work to the limits of their actual abilities. Many will find their abilities are so much more far reaching than they thought and in the process they learn so much to help prevent being taken advantage of by unscrupulous others.


There will always be plenty of work for the Handymen/women, Plumbers, Electricians, etc., to do so that is not a real concern.

[jpushiys]

Originally Posted by biafra4life

nextdoor.com is probably the better place to ask these types of questions. People in your neighborhood can give you better recommendations for handymen.

+1

[fleaflicker]

I understand OP's position, even if I'm the complete opposite.

If you want the work insured, you'll have to have it installed by the store you bought the item from. For example, buy TV from Best Buy, pay insurance, and have them install it.

Insured contractors are expensive and won't do minor house work. A good handyman won't be insured. If a small time handyman tells you they are insured, I wouldn't trust them.

[Leonard123]

My suggestion is not to mount a TV. Just put it on a shelf. If not, try out the IKEA Uppleva!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89taazMC6FE

You will need a good plumber to do the bidet.

Get a window/drapery company for curtains.

Get an electrician for the ceiling fans.

The curtain rod is the only thing I would even remotely consider "basic" for a homeowner, and I certainly would not expect everyone to be able to do that. Perhaps people have physical limitations. I could not do a single one of these things, and yes, there are good people who will do them. There is no need for others to be so rude.