Do you have - literally - a handyman? (Phoenix: real estate, apartment)

[Voebe]

I'm not asking for recommendations (although if you know someone who covers the east valley, that would be great).

I'm really just curious if you have someone you can turn to for handyman work - that is, inexpensive easy fixes. Not an unlicensed contractor who's mainly interested in big re-modeling jobs and changes $50+ an hour. I'm curious because when I've asked neighbors if they know someone for something small, like fixing a dripping faucet, then all sigh, and say, no, not anymore. I've known great guys who charged around $15 or less, maybe moonlighting while working at a hardware store, or maybe older retired guys who liked to keep busy and enjoyed the socializing. But not these days.

[wannabeaTexan]

Not in AZ because I live in an apartment. But when I had a house in Texas, yes I had one. Honestly, I only had to use him once, but he is one of those retired guys looking to stay busy. His wife advertised for him on Nextdoor. I had a pipe burst January 2018, and because a lot of others also did, it was very hard to get someone to come out and help. I had a home warranty, but it was a freeze break and wasn’t covered.

This guy wasn’t even sure he could help, but he came by anyway to check it out. I was surprised to see him at my door actually and at first thought he was from a local company I’d called. Didn’t realize until after he left that it was a handyman I’d contacted. Then he came back with his tools.

At one point, he said he needed to go to the store to get a different piece he needed. He left, with his tools still in my garage, and came back an hour and a half later, explaining he got a call while he was out that his mom had a stroke. He needed to go to the hospital, but knew my kids and I had already lived with the water turned off for a couple days. So he made a temporary repair because he wanted us to have water that night.

He came over the next afternoon and finished the job. Charged $200 when a company that came out earlier quoted me $630. I got a second job at a hardware store last year as a cashier and he came through my line a couple times. Once with his wife. Very nice people.

A few months ago, he texted me a reminder about covering faucets, etc and I let him know I moved to Arizona. He said he grew up here, said that’s great I moved, and wished me luck. So yes, they do exist. He was a nice man and I would’ve called him again I’m sure, if I stayed and needed his help.

[jnojr]

So far, everyone I've called about handyman stuff has turned out to be a flake. One thing I dearly miss about living in CA was Carl, who could do damn near anything. I could leave the door unlocked and a list of things to do and a blank check on the counter. Come back to everything done and a charge that reflected time on-task and not necessarily on-premises.

[fluffythewondercat]

Originally Posted by Voebe

I'm not asking for recommendations (although if you know someone who covers the east valley, that would be great).

I'm really just curious if you have someone you can turn to for handyman work - that is, inexpensive easy fixes. Not an unlicensed contractor who's mainly interested in big re-modeling jobs and changes $50+ an hour. I'm curious because when I've asked neighbors if they know someone for something small, like fixing a dripping faucet, then all sigh, and say, no, not anymore. I've known great guys who charged around $15 or less, maybe moonlighting while working at a hardware store, or maybe older retired guys who liked to keep busy and enjoyed the socializing. But not these days.

I think $15 is unreasonable, considering drive time and the size of the East Valley. I wouldn't get out of bed for $15.

Real estate agents, particularly those who have been in the business for a long time, often have a handyman or painter on tap. So ask around.

[KurtAZ]

Got a buddy that turned "Handyman" into his career. He doesn't do individual jobs anymore though, he has contracts with a number of landlords and some well-heeled clients.

[Voebe]

Originally Posted by fluffythewondercat

I think $15 is unreasonable, considering drive time and the size of the East Valley. I wouldn't get out of bed for $15.
Real estate agents, particularly those who have been in the business for a long time, often have a handyman or painter on tap. So ask around.

Well, perhaps you wouldn't get out of bed, but for many people, they're not figuring on getting rich, they enjoy the work, and they mostly work right in their own neighborhood. You're right that real estate people often know guys, but they're more in the $40-$50 range.

* * * * * *

Well, given the meager response here, it seems that the classic handyman may have died out in the Phoenix metro area.

[fluffythewondercat]

It's an inconvenience to be sure, but it turns out everybody likes to be paid for their work.

[wit-nit]

My wife say's I'm the handyman, I do it all.

[PhureeKeeper]

I know someone (husband of a co-worker). The co-worker is the money maker in the household and DH doesn't really need to work. He likes to do handyman services and charges $35.00 per hour, plus materials.
Problem is, the guy is a train wreck. I've used him on a few jobs but have had to fix many of the things he tried to work on... or hire someone else. I'd rather pay more and get better service.

[ElleTea]

Growing up with a "jack of all trades" dad who could do plumbing, build you furniture, rewire your house, hang drywall, install crown moulding, lay flooring, fix your car, etc. I learned to be my own handyman. I can take care of a lot of minor things myself like painting or installing a new kitchen faucet or the cat door I put in the back door of my house. Some things, though, are out of my range.

When I bought my house here, there was a guy who was working on the place. Thankfully I had a good home inspection that caught all of the shortcuts that guy took such as installing the lights in my living room celing with no boxes...just wire running across insulation in the attic.

Even the first electrician I hired to update a breaker so I could install a new pool pump had no clue what he was doing even though he claimed to have over 20 years experience. Sadly I think the days of guys who can fix it all are long gone and really skilled tradesmen may be an endangered species.