How do go about hiring people for small projects?

fuzzybuddy

fuzzybuddy

SF VIP
Location
The Sticks, Northeast PA.
I have a bunch of small jobs that I can't physically do. One is changing the porch light-that kind of thing There's a Vet rehab home a couple of miles from me. I thought of paying one of those guys. But you have to admit a 78 year old guy in a wheelchair is a tempting target. How do go about hiring people for small projects? I know there's Angie's List. I did something similar. The guy showed up and did a good job, but he seemed kind of sketchy, he wouldn't tell me his name. Anybody actually found a source of help?
 

Find a local FB group, put the question out to them about someone they have used for handyman work, and if they were happy with the result. Quite often you will find out about someone you won't discover through other searches.
 
First of all, I wouldn't hire anyone who doesn't want to tell me their name.



This doesn't apply to you, Fuzz, I just want to mention...

Work done in and around your home by someone who can't produce a contractor's license number for you to check out isn't covered by your insurance if the work goes south or causes other problems. If the worker can't produce a verifiable contractor's license number, either their own or someone else's that they work for, the work might not pass muster by a codes officer, and you get the violation. Also, you might be turned down for a permit or fined for not getting one, and you can be ordered to tear the thing down and pay a licensed person's labor and materials to rebuild/replace it.

All that depends on the type of work, of course....mainly structural, electrical, and plumbing, but also certain types of fences, walkways, and landscaping jobs.
 
bobcat said:
Find a local FB group, put the question out to them about someone they have used for handyman work, and if they were happy with the result. Quite often you will find out about someone you won't discover through other searches.
Click to expand...
There are "fix-it" groups on FB. A lot of them are retired construction workers. They also have members who are self-employed landscapers, handymen, movers, and people who haul off junk and debris.

You want to look for a local one.
 
I use craigslist sometimes. You can also call a realtor who handles rentals and ask if they know anyone. I am currently using a guy that was referred by my realtor for electrical and drywall on the project house. He is happy and i am happy.
 
I just use word of mouth with family and friends, if this did not work, there is help on my FB, local apps and local hardware clerks or bulletin boards.
I've been lucky in finding a very good and dependable helper that I've recommended to others.
 
We have a couple of home construction companies that do everything from replacing a doorknob, very minor electrical work, or hanging a new screen door to reroofing. But they tend to be quite expensive for the small jobs.
 
There has been a building boom in this area since 2020 and it seems that all of the trades people are straight out. Finding am electrician, plumber or builder to do a small (one day or less) job is virtually impossible. There are too many BIG jobs here for them to consider anything "small".

ETA. It took us almost two years to get a painter to come in and paint our ceilings. For much of that time he was tied up painting the interior of a 20,000 sq ft "guest house" for the Marriott family. :rolleyes:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top