You’ve reached an impasse. You have exceeded your own ability to DIY a repair in your home, so what’s the next step? In today’s world of Craigslist and online referrals, your first instinct might be to call a local handyman because they can do anything, right? Is this really the best solution? There are plenty of reasons why you should hire a licensed contractor to do work on your home, so before you pick up that phone, here’s some food for thought.

  • Avoid a horrible law suit. It’s a hard truth that being right doesn’t necessarily mean you can win. Even if you have a claim against your handyman, you may not be protected. On top of that, there are the things that you, as the homeowner, would be liable for. What happens if your handyman, without insurance or a license, injures themselves in your home? Trust us, the outcome isn’t pretty and it’s not an experience you want to deal with. By working with a licensed contractor, you are protected by their insurance and guarantees, both for worker safety and the project itself.
  • Don’t blow up your house. If the project involves gas, electric, or plumbing, you will want to hire a licensed contractor. Hiring a handyman for these very specialized jobs is a lot like hiring a pizza delivery guy to cook you dinner. They might know what they’re doing, but you have no way to verify that they can be safe and effective while they’re handling the job in your home. The best case scenario is that they simply screw it up. But worst case, you don’t even want to think about it.
  • Dodge a dodgy background. How do you vet your handyman when you hire them through Craigslist or as a recommendation from a friend or neighbor? Sure, your neighbor wouldn’t want to send you someone they didn’t trust, but how can you verify their gut feelings? The only way to know for sure is to work with a licensed contractor who works with professionals who have been hired properly and background checked before starting work in your home. The licensed contractor will also have liability insurance to protect you, and their company, if something goes wrong.
  • You’ll pay for what you get. Everyone wants to save money on their home improvement or repair projects, but there are some battles that just aren’t worth fighting. The old adage says you’ll get what you pay for, and when you work with a handyman, that’s absolutely what you’re going to get. Or you may find that you get even less than you paid for when the work isn’t done to code or worse. Money isn’t the only factor to consider when you’re making a decision on a service provider, and it shouldn’t be.

Do you want to talk with a licensed contractor about your home repair or remodel needs? Contact Smart Choice Plumbing to talk to an expert today.