Hiring a Handyman: The Remodeling Contract

Now that you’ve gone through the process to find a good, reputable handyman, it’s time to consider a written remodeling contract.  Sometimes it seems that a remodeling contract may be overkill for your situation.  It’s not.  A remodeling contract will prevent misunderstandings during the job and will help you enforce your verbal agreements.  The complexity and amount of detail in the remodeling contract will depend on your comfort level with the handyman, and the complexity and dollar value of the job.

A remodeling contract should, at the minimum, contain:

• What is expected of each party
• Who is responsible for acquiring any necessary permits
• A statement affirming that appropriate insurances and licenses are held by the handyman
• Price and payment schedule
• Detailed list of materials (if the handyman is supplying them)
• Timetable for completion

Some experts say that you should never give a handyman a down-payment, however it may be acceptable if the handyman is purchasing the materials.  A handyman is different from a contractor and may not have all the credit accounts needed for your job.  Another alternative would be to set up an account at a lumberyard against which the handyman can charge.  If you do this, be sure to carefully monitor receipts.

Many nightmare remodeling stories can be averted by having a good understanding with your handyman and then entering into a written remodeling contract.  It makes sense for you and is also good business for any handyman.

(Photo Credit:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/30157413@N08/3567036023/

A Contract Will Help Make Sure this gets Finished

Hiring a Handyman: The Search

You’ve decided your remodeling project is more than you can handle alone and you want to hire a handyman.  This decision will lead you to many questions about who to hire and why.  In a later post, I will talk about the need for the remodeling contract itself.  Before you get to the remodeling contract phase, you need to decide who to hire.

You can find handyman through web searches, recommendations from friends, newspaper ads, or fliers at home improvement stores.  There are some specific things that you need to know about your handyman:

1. If there are employees involved, does the handyman carry worker’s compensation insurance?
2. Does the handyman carry sufficient liability insurance?
3. Is the handyman licensed according to the requirements of your area?

If the handyman has employees and does not carry worker’s compensation insurance (calls the employees independent contractors), any on-the-job injury claims could be filed against you and your homeowner’s insurance.  Liability insurance protects you from negligence on the part of the handyman, and allows you to collect damages.  Knowing that the handyman is running a legitimate business will help keep you out of court if things go wrong.

Proof of all of these should be provided to you with no hassle.  If there are excuses and delays, that might be a red-flag that this particular handyman may not be operating a legitimate business.  Recommendations from friends are a great place to start, as they obviously had a good experience, but be sure to check out the legitimacy of the business before making a deal.  It could save you many head-aches in the future.

Now that you’ve found someone with good recommendations and a solid business, it’s time to put things in writing and enter into a remodeling contract.  Check out tips on this in my next blog entry.

(Photo Credit:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/yes2art/2515713408/)