Good Contractor for multiple small jobs
How do I find a licensed and insured “handy-man”, with carpentry and/or electrical skills for several small projects? I know I’d need to “bundle the projects” to get anyone willing to come out I and don’t want to waste their time, but I do want licensed and insured only. I am not willing to expose our largest personal investment, the home, to mechanic liens, etc. I also am not looking for the lowest bid. I want quality work at a fair market price.
How do you find the person who is insured, knowledgeable and proficient in the subject, for small jobs – in a bundle, not onesies? I want a pro for several small jobs, in the same trade area, to be done together as one larger project. I want an experienced craftsman who is licensed and insured. Any ideas folks? Thank you in advance. I’d prefer to give my business to a “retired/independent” craftsman, as opposed to calling the folks with the big ads in the phonebook. That may preclude the license and insurance, on which I cannot compromise my home investment. Thank you for any advice. (Note: I am not a control freak that would make someone miserable. I’d tell them what result I want upfront, and rely upon their experience/expertise to do the job. – Indy
Replies
This could be a good place to find the contractor you are looking for.
Where are you?
Biggest problem you will have is that very few "handymen" will actually be licensed plumbers or electricians....even though they may be perfectly capable in those areas, and wise enough to know when they need a specialist. It's a trust thing....you can get simple plumbing & electrical done, but you have to trust the guy....and he has to trust you, since he takes some risk in doing work that might be, in your area, not "legal" for him (or Her....)
You find him by asking around...your neighbors, local lumberyards, if they still exist in your town...and then you ask for references. If he has none, run.
you might try talking to your local building inspector... he may give you the names of two or three.. he may tell you who to steer away from
or he/she might not
also.. it never hurts to ask... are you licensed ?.. ask for what
and most states that license now list the status of the contractors on a web site
and when you ask .. are you insured.. be sure to add .. insured for what ?
many people who advertise " fully insured" are not. they may have some insurance.. but usually " fully insured" means NOT fully insured..
maybe they got auto insurance
many people who advertise " fully insured" are not. they may have some insurance.. but usually " fully insured" means NOT fully insured..
I've always wondered what "fully insured" meant. I'm insured, but not for everything, in fact, not even for most things. I was thinking of putting "insured" on my business cards, etc., but I'm afraid people will actually be turned off since everyone else seems to be "fully insured".
-Don
Many times, the best way to find someone like this is by asking friends and neighbors about work they've had done and if they've been pleased.
But if you've already tried that, to no avail, try something like ServiceMagic. They pre-screen and pre-qualify contractors for you. You give them a detailed description of the work you want done and they "match" you up with 3 possible contractors who you can then solicit bids from. I have no first hand experience with ServiceMagic (on your end of the deal) but there are other similar operations in existence as well.
And you may very well find just what you're looking for right here if you should choose to share a little more about the work you would like done as well as your approximate location.
Best of luck to you.
says "Indy" at the end of your post.
if U are near Greenwood, email me ... I have a name for you.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
"How do I find a licensed and insured "handy-man", with carpentry and/or electrical skills for several small projects? "
You have to be careful of what you are asking for ;
A lisensed electrician is just that not a handy man.
Now the code says that an unlisensed person can do repair but not alter the system. He can fix a short but cannot run a new circuit . He can replace any fixture or outlet. There would be no need for him to do carpentry as his trade normally pays more . We call what you may be looking for a multitalented carpenter , but he or she isnt a electrician with a card.
Tim
If you're near San Jose, CA, give me a call - lol.
You may find that "normal" contractors would be interested in your projects, especially if your schedule is flexible. Small jobs are good filler projects for slow times, or they are given to energetic carpenters as a chance to get a little overtime.
Best of luck
Most people that say they are not a control freak ..are. I see you listed "insured" 4 times in your post but being insured sometimes doesn't mean much after the damage is done. Try your insurance agent ask you they use for claims to homes. My State Farm agent has used the same few contractors for some 15 to 20 years so I would think the work must be good and the contractor trust worthy. Remember though not all of us contractors are "bad" guys, look for someone that has some references.
jeff
A lot of missed assumptions there.
licensed and insured "handy-man",
Does your state or local gov require handymen to be licensed?
carpentry and/or electrical skills for several small projects
A handyman is a Jack Of All Trades and Master of None. Now he/she may be a retired Master of one trade and jack the rest.
need to "bundle the projects" to get anyone willing to come out
Don't need to, but it costs less the fewer people you hire for the entire list.
but I do want licensed and insured only. I am not willing to expose our largest personal investment, the home, to mechanic liens, etc
In most localities, if a license is required to work, one is needed to file an ML. Many places don't license 'Handymen.'
an experienced craftsman who is licensed and insured
Those two qualifiers each do not imply the other. The term 'General Contractor' usually implies licensed and insured.
We still don't know what your project entails. A handyman is an apprentice in many trades, possibly a journeyman or better in one. They may be an moron who thinks he can do anything better than anyone else and decided yesterday to be a handyman. A good Handyman may have a lot of experience as a residential carpenter. A handyman could be a GC who has built home for 20 years and got tired of the Big Company hassles.
If your project is electrical, call an electrician from the yellow pages, for plumbing or HVAC call a plumber or Heating and Air company. If your state requires licenses, mine doesn't, they'll be licensed, check their insurance yourself. Most will have it.
If your project is mostly general construction and just a litlle piddlin' around in the above trades, you need a handyman.
Google "'Your state' Mechanics Lien" For pertinent info.
Make friends with the crew at you local big boxes Pro Desk. Ask at the hardware stores. A builder will spend more time at the lumberyard, a handyman at the hardware stores.
Post the Details of your project here.
I think you all might not be looking at this the right way.
A handyman is not a poor choice if he understands what he can or can't do and has experts in each of the trades that he trusts and come to his aid quickly and charge fairly.
So what you really get with a person that will do a multitude of repair and replace is also a consortium of skilled trades that will come on short notice and do him right.
This is basically what I have developed into and it gives me variety and flexibility and my trade choices make me look good while making me a little extra off their labor.
ANDYSZ2I MAY DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOUR SAYING BUT I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT.
Remodeler/Punchout
Exactly, a small contractor that just happens to be a good carpenter with good subs. A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Thank you all for sharing information and clarifying things. I think now a handyman would be appropriate for the carpetry work. Focusing on the carpentry alone - to replace the rotting wooden "pedestal" bases of some square columns/posts a few of which seem to be decorative and not functional. There are 6 of them. I also need to replace garage doors, but I'm not sure if independents do this, or to go with a garage door company. I'm going to try to post a "not too great photo". I sometimes have trouble uploading photos here. Scratch that, it failed...again.
I think the post project would involve building new support bases, mitered corner round was used to hide the area between the posts and the base. I could paint the bases if the workman preferred not to paint.
I did not intend to offend anyone by my ignorance in this area by licensed/insured/contractor, etc. I know there are great folks in all areas and some bad apples too. Because I work in a legal field, I tend to just want to C.M.A. so to speak against mechanic leans and any liability for injury, plus any potential damage resulting from the work - say a broken window? I guess that is more paranoid than the average homeowner.
Location is far Northside Indy, near Ditch Rd. and inside I-465. Thanks again for the help!
Edited 6/17/2006 9:21 am ET by dtgardengirl
For the garage door a garage door company by far is the best bet."I did not intend to offend anyone by my ignorance in this area by licensed/insured/contractor, etc. "According to this site in IN the only state licensing is for plumbers. However, those type of sites are always uptodate and http://www.contractors-license.org/In that case the only licensing is whatever the local city/county has and that is often not much.If you are in INDY proper;http://www.indygov.org/eGov/City/DMD/Compliance/Licenses/boards.htmAnd on the left is a link for details. The Licensed Contractors is a link to all of those that are "licenced".The ones below it give the details of what it takes to get a "licensse".It appears that electrical requires testing.However, the ONLY THING the general contractor needs to be licensed is the insurance and payment of the city fees. No experience, technical or business testing, nor even a background check.Also I did not see any place of why a general contractors license is required (other than to get listed on the city web pages) or the duties or limiations of such."I think the post project would involve building new support bases, mitered corner round was used to hide the area between the posts and the base."That sounds like simple carpentry and I don't see any need for a general contractor.
Thank you for the update and links. I was on indygov earlier for a couple of other things and, duh, didn't even look for this. I appreciate the info. Once again, please let me apologize for my ignornace in this area.
This did look more like simple carpentry to me, but beyond my skill/tool level. I couldn't miter anything to save my life. I'll have to look at garage door companies. Now I have a better plan on how to begin the small, yet mounting projects that have been neglected far too long. Having a good starting point is what gets the momentum going...that is until the funding runs out! Thanks again!