Why is it so f'ing hard to get a handyman?

[sbj405]

Arrghhh. I've contacted like 10 and no one will frickin' call me back or they flake on showing up.

[idgiehkt]

1. I just thought of the best copycat for this thread

but I won't go there...

p.s. they're all on meth nowadays I think.

[Deja Q]

2. I know what you're thinking

:rofl:

it's more fun to try than to think...

:spray:

[idgiehkt]

3. LOL

I'm trying so hard to be good...

[sbj405]

5. Yeah, as soon as I hit post, I realized it was prime for the picking

[Dangerously Amused]

8. I think I went there.

Oops.


:7

[lost-in-nj]

4. I hear you!

A few years ago in the spring we tried to get a mason to redo our front stairs. Finally in mid summer my husband read up on how to do it and redid them himself! We have had people stop and ask us who did them because they needed a mason.

Also I have been trying to get a landscape designer in to do our front yard, its like pulling teeth.
Just wait till the winter when they have no work, they will be calling you!




lost

[sbj405]

6. Well the bizarre thing is that they repost their ads on craigslist daily

so they must want work. Either that or they're like "I can do it tomorrow." But I need a little more time to take off work, etc.

Trust me I've thought that it would be easier to just do it myself.

[Schema Thing]

7. I'd help ya,

James Taylor got nuthin' on me ('cept that whole musical genuis thing).

Seriously, the problem is the market, I'm sure. A fairly unskilled handyman is less money and less busy (but may well be flakey), a skilled handyman is well compensated and also busy as hell (and may still be flakey, at least about scheduling).

[sbj405]

9. I'm willing to pay, but no one wants small (2-3 day) jobs I guess.

:shrug:

[NMDemDist2]

10. like another poster said, read up on it and do it yourself

I have had a couple "handymen" here for a month and the quality of work is appalling

we're glad they're almost done so we can get them out and fix what we can. we'll have to live with a couple of expensive mistakes however

if you do find one, they are golden and never lose the number

however, to be helpful, see if you can find a one man contractor who has all the licenses. the work will be better and you'll save $$$ in the long run

good luck!

[LostinVA]

11. I have a foolproof method, seriously

After we moved into the house, the SO and I needed some handyman stuff man (the SO and I aren't "that type" of lesbian, although I can fix toilets). We did what you did -- they either flaked out, had a two-month waiting list, or sounded drunk over the phone. So, I called our realtor and asked if she knew any independent home inspectors who wanted to make some cash on easy jobs. She did. She knew them professionally, they were all licensed and insured, and they were WAY cheaper than "official" handymen. Th guy we chose was GREAT. We were very nice to him -- made him lunch, etc. Our friends "borrowed" him. He made some quick, easy cash... I knew enough to ask for a cash discount!

Try it and see...

[bleedingheart]

12. I have one...and I rarely share his name because the good ones are rare.

I call he will stop in the early morning to size up a job and give me a quote.....when he is available (he works for other contractors) he comes over and does the work.

Sometimes it takes a little while but he does excellent work.

He had no business cards...so I made him some and I shared em with my closest political friends.

[Porcupine]

13. Because we are treated like shit by most people that's why.

Disclosure: I am a maintenance supervisor for a property management company and occasional field technician. That said.

I (or my team) am expected to have a fair command of the following skills: Plumber, electrician, painter, locksmith, drywall hanger, appliance tech, landscaper, roofer, pest controller, carpenter and dump truck driver. Plus some. It's like being the "Dirty Jobs" guy on tv without any glamor or enough money to get your teeth fixed.

For which we can get paid about $12 an hour if we work for a company or bill $30 to $40 hourly as an independent;supply your own truck, tools, gas, insurance and good luck come Feb 1st paying the rent. No benefits, no health insurance, no retirement.

We work on brand new houses and 100 year old houses. We work in any weather and with whoever answers the door. We get constant verbal abuse from property owners and tenants. We deal daily with slumlords and meth addicts. I've had guys on my crew have guns pushed into their faces. The job truly sucks sometimes. Sometimes it's great to help people out.

Personally, I am a single dad and a wage/debt slave. Anyone with any other options gets out of the field. If you find a good handyman treat him better than your hairdresser or your doctor. Never, ever, ever, miss an appointment with him. That may be your last chance to get anything fixed. Always offer cold water in summer or coffee in winter. Remember he's driving a cheaper truck than you local high school kids because he has to.

That's why.