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What Happened to the Handyman?

As many homeowners know, small repairs and fixes can quickly add up around the house. Most people don’t want to call a plumber out to their house simply to fix a leaky faucet, or have a carpenter make a special trip to tighten a loose kitchen cabinet. So how can a homeowner make the most of a visit by a handyman-or woman?

Walk through your house and write down the small things that need to be repaired in your home. A door that isn’t hung correctly, leaky faucets, loose banisters and squeaky floorboards are some of the things a traditional handyperson can fix. Having a group of repairs done at once will cost less than paying to have them repaired individually.

After you make this list, contact a few handymen who would be interested in doing small repairs around your home. Here are some things to keep in mind:
* Does this person have experience fixing a variety of things, for example, electrical, carpentry and plumbing?
* Does he or she charge by the hour or by the job?
* Does he or she have references you can call?

* Is he or she licensed and insured? A small repair that is not done correctly can cost a lot of money in the long run.
* What is his or her availability? If you discover more repairs, will he or she be available quickly, or will you have to wait for a few months?

Finding a good handyperson is invaluable. Chances are that your handyperson will be spending a lot of time at your house over the years. Make sure that he or she is someone you like having around, and that you treat him or her nicely!