What is the best way to find a good maintenance or repair person that can help with small jobs around the house?

Finding a good repairer can be a bit of a challenge. How do you find someone who will return your calls or texts, show up on time, do the job right and finish it, all at a fair price? Here are a few tips and resources that can help you with your search.

What Kind of Help

While it may seem obvious, whom you call on for help will depend on what you need done. For example, if you have an odd job or small home repair project that does not require a lot of technical expertise, a repair person may be all you need. But if you have a job that involves electricity, plumbing, heating or cooling systems, you are better off hiring a licensed tradesperson. Bigger jobs like home renovations or remodeling may require a general contractor.

Where to Find Help

One of the most reliable ways to find help is through referrals from people you trust. If your friends or family do not have any recommendations, turn to professionals in the field like a local hardware or home improvement store, or real estate agents. If you do not have any luck in this search, there are a number of online resources you can turn to that can quickly connect you to a wide variety of skilled workers in your area.

If you are looking for someone to do a home chore or a small job, an option is to use online platforms that connect you with freelance workers who have undergone background checks. On these sites, you can find help with tasks like furniture assembly, lifting or moving heavy items, mounting TVs or shelves, making minor home repairs and indoor and outdoor cleaning services. Freelance workers set their hourly rates, which are typically displayed on these websites for your review before you book an appointment.

Other good options for locating repair people are fix-it franchises or repair service companies. These companies vet and insure their staff, but they may be more expensive than hiring an individual directly. You may also consider using social networking sites to ask for recommendations.

If you are in the market for a specialist, like a plumber, electrician, painter, roofer or carpenter, there are also websites that connect you with licensed contractors. These websites also vet their independent contractors and will let you request quotes from several candidates. Depending on the website you choose, some may offer more details like average response time, specifics about the work they do and photos of past projects. To find these websites, use your preferred online search engine and search using terms like “how to find a home repair person” or “licensed contractors near me.”

Things to Know 

Once you have located a few candidates, here are some steps you can take to protect yourself and ensure you are satisfied with the results. Get a handwritten estimate or digital contract that lists the tasks and the hourly rate or project fee. Next, ask to see their proof of insurance, which will cover any damages they may cause while working on your home. Also, consider asking for several references from past jobs.

It is best to pay only after the work is complete, though it is not unusual to be asked for a small deposit for material costs upfront. Whenever possible, you should pay with a credit card, since it offers the ability to dispute the payment if something goes wrong with the job. Checks and electronic payments do not offer the same level of protection.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.