I Need a Handyman???????

fuzzybuddy

fuzzybuddy

SF VIP
Location
The Sticks, Northeast PA.
I'm almost 80 and in a wheelchair. My problem is getting "handymen". I have a bunch of things I no longer can do, but aren't in the "needs a contractor" category. I tried one of those online handyman sites. It cost many $100s, and you get the on call alcoholic. If I put up a notice for a neighborhood teenage boy, the cops would be talking to me. Plus, it's not the 1930s, kids don't do that anymore.
Need a handyman.
 

fuzzybuddy said:
I'm almost 80 and in a wheelchair. My problem is getting "handymen". I have a bunch of things I no longer can do, but aren't in the "needs a contractor" category. I tried one of those online handyman sites. It cost many $100s, and you get the on call alcoholic. If I put up a notice for a neighborhood teenage boy, the cops would be talking to me. Plus, it's not the 1930s, kids don't do that anymore.
Need a handyman.
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Here in Oregon there are Social Services county folks I can ask them about things us seniors need, Also some cities have places where seniors meet chat play games etc Another source may be church or friends.
Its all about networking. good luck
 
I'm really sorry. When I owned that lousy house, my good neighbor (who sold and moved) recommended a local handy person, who was a woman. She put up a new light fixture in the dining room and changed the lights outside. Hung some curtain rods. This service is really needed and I understand she did well by word of mouth.

I don't even know where to recommend for you to find someone. A good honest all around handyman could make a great living. But where to find them?
 

Have you tried NextDoor? I've gotten a metal-scrap-picker-upper-hauler-away'er :giggle: through there, and also someone to do roof work that wasn't very detailed.

EDIT: I should add that I wouldn't do an ad on NextDoor and give details... but rather watch for people talking about workers they recommend. Often others come on with their own good experiences with the same person.
 
Come to think of it, I don't even know any good handyman types anymore. Not that long ago they were everywhere. I don't even see kids mowing lawns anymore. And, yes online services can be pricey for small stuff. Maybe try a neighbors adult family member.
 
Have you tried Angi (used to be Angie's list) for help finding someone local? They give you the workers who will call and give you a cost estimate. I have tried that service and had good luck and not too expensive. The service is listed on a Google search.

I hope you find someone to help.
 
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I did it for about 15 years for others, but now just for myself. When working, I was asked several times by real estate agents to do work for them, because there is often work that needs to be done prior to listing a house. So, you may want to call one or two of them to see who they're using. If the person isn't any good, they will know.

Also you can go onto a local FB group, and put the question out to them as to who they would recommend. They will be happy to answer, and if you get a couple that match, that person might be a good source.
 
Good luck, fuzzy!

It would probably be easier to find Sasquatch,
Jimmy Hoffa, or D.B. Cooper.

If you have a neighborhood senior center, old fashioned hardware store or lumberyard, rural cemetery, realtors office, etc… you could start making inquiries but I’m afraid that the good
ones will be too busy and the bad ones will drive you round the bend.

Maybe it’s time to consider selling out and getting an apartment where the maintenance is included in the rent. 🤔
 
Check out your areas Agency on Aging. They have volunteers who do small repairs. Also check with the Senior Center. Theres other oldies there. See who they used. I do my own small stuff but have gotten referrals from Nextdoor for bigger stuff. Ive heard that Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will do stuff for the elderly like leaf clean up. Im 75 but I forget that Im old so I havent asked yet.
 
bobcat said:
I did it for about 15 years for others, but now just for myself. When working, I was asked several times by real estate agents to do work for them, because there is often work that needs to be done prior to listing a house. So, you may want to call one or two of them to see who they're using. If the person isn't any good, they will know.

Also you can go onto a local FB group, and put the question out to them as to who they would recommend. They will be happy to answer, and if you get a couple that match, that person might be a good source.
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I used to do small repairs for Mom and her neighbor ladies and then just for me. The husband was not very handy. :D As I get older Im starting to hire more stuff out. Especially stuff that requires tall ladders since I live alone.
 
I'm fortunate to have 2 neighbors who are handy. One is in construction currently, the other is basically a jack-of-all-trades. But also, my oldest son is good at home-improvement stuff, and his BF is a journeyman electrician.

I have no idea who I'd contact if not for these guys. I sure hope you find a resource, Fuzz.
 
Veronica said:
Check out your areas Agency on Aging. They have volunteers who do small repairs. Also check with the Senior Center. Theres other oldies there. See who they used. I do my own small stuff but have gotten referrals from Nextdoor for bigger stuff. Ive heard that Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will do stuff for the elderly like leaf clean up. Im 75 but I forget that Im old so I havent asked yet.
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Great ideas! Boy Scouts: Eagle Scouts are the best, older boys who need Eagle Projects. Area Agencies on Aging: good resource.
 
Murrmurr said:
I'm fortunate to have 2 neighbors who are handy. One is in construction currently, the other is basically a jack-of-all-trades. But also, my oldest son is good at home-improvement stuff, and his BF is a journeyman electrician.

I have no idea who I'd contact if not for these guys. I sure hope you find a resource, Fuzz.
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You are very fortunate. I do odd jobs for my lady neighbor: put back together her industrial food grinder; figure out why her filtered faucet is leaking at the kitchen sink (stopped up garbage disposal line); help her get gutters installed.

Am wondering what I will do when I too, can't do!
 
@fuzzybuddy: You're in PA, right? Are there any Amish or Mormon communities anywhere near you? Those young boys work hard and are generally very skilled. I have a Mormon family next door and those boys are a godsend; they also charge very reasonable prices. Had one install a propane heater and it was $20. They also will plow my driveway, they offer to do it for free as a neighborly thing; I always pay them, though.
 
@fuzzybuddy: Go to a hardware store, lumberyard or building supply big box store and ask a salesman or a yardman if they know of someone with the skills you're looking for. Some of them might be clueless but do ask around, if they don't know, they might know someone who does know of an available handyman for hire. It's worth a shot.
 
FYI, in this area, the Scouts will not do work or odd jobs, even
for money....I learned this by trying to hire some for work in
my big yard...no no no.....
 
GoodEnuff said:
@fuzzybuddy: You're in PA, right? Are there any Amish or Mormon communities anywhere near you? Those young boys work hard and are generally very skilled. I have a Mormon family next door and those boys are a godsend; they also charge very reasonable prices. Had one install a propane heater and it was $20. They also will plow my driveway, they offer to do it for free as a neighborly thing; I always pay them, though.
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Thanks. They're all Methodists around me 🙂
 
The Religion started in England and became a religion after the founder died.

Some are Masonic Fraternity members also?
 
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Remy said:
Is that like Mennonites? If they are, I worked with someone who lived out in a country area where a lot of them lived and they said they are good neighbors and will help when neeeded.
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Yes, I believe so.
 

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