Angie's List Offers Tips for Homeowners in Need of a Handyman

August is the busiest month for a handyman; Angie's List (www.angieslist.com) data shows five years of steady growth in demand.

(PRWEB) July 27, 2007 -- Homeowners who wait until next week to look for a handyman (www.angieslist.com) to fix what ails their homes may be hearing busy signals rather than the sound of a hammer: August is the busiest time for handyman requests on Angie's List.

Angie's List, the consumer organization that helps homeowners find reliable help in more than 280 categories of service, saw a 34 percent increase in the number of requests for handymen in the past five years. Nearly half of Angie's List members confessed in a recent poll that they are not as handy as their parents are.

"Anyone with a house has a list of things that need to get done -- from fixing a drip to painting walls and repairing that rip in the screen door," says Angie Hicks, founder of Angie's List. "A lot of our members have a handyman on standby to take care of routine maintenance and odd-and-end projects around the house. Some of these tradesmen and women can even tackle complicated jobs that include electrical and plumbing work. It's important to find the right person for your particular set of chores around the house."

According to a recent nationwide Angie's List poll, 67 percent of respondents say they plan to hire a handyman in the next 30 days. A third of the respondents say they typically hire the same one job after job.

Angie's List (www.angieslist.com) 8 Tips for Hiring the Right Handyman:

•    Make a list of what you need done. Include as much detail as you can. Have this list on hand when you call to make an appointment. Talk through your list with the handyman or contractor. Most professionals are going to tell you up front if it's a job outside their area of expertise. And, in the case of some of the larger shops, knowing what jobs you need done, often determines which employee they send to your house.

•    Choose the same way you would for a larger project. Check Angie's List. Talk to at least three different handymen. Get estimates on price and how long it will take to complete your list of projects. Ask for and check references.

•    Does the work require a licensed professional? This is most often the case with electrical and plumbing work. If it is required, check to see that your handyman has a valid license to do the work.

•    Walk through the house with the handyman, point out all the tasks on your list. It will give him/her the opportunity to ask questions, as well as better understand your expectations for the job.

•    Know what's included in the price, for instance: Are they charging you a trip fee? Can you purchase the supplies yourself, rather than paying for the handyman's drive time to-and-from the home improvement store?

•    Hiring one may not be cheaper than hiring a specialized professional. For example, a professional plumber may be able to diagnose and fix your problem much quicker than a handyman.

•    Expect good service. Just because a handyman may be considered a "jack of all trades," it doesn't mean you shouldn't expect good service. Many in the industry are taking steps to meet homeowner demands in relation to professionalism, knowledge, experience and even etiquette. In fact, some companies have helped draft rules guiding the conduct of their employees to improve customer satisfaction.

•    When you find a good handyman, keep him! They can be a good resource for you, especially if you use him regularly. He will come to know your house and can help identify issues before they become costly problems.

Angie's List (www.angieslist.com) Poll Results:

•    67%    Plan to hire a handyman over the next 30 days

•    31%    Typically hire the same handyman

•    69%    Say their handyman charges by the job

•    48%    Hire a handyman when the job becomes too big

*1,754, Angie's List members took our poll. Responses are representative of Angie's List members, but not the general public.

Angie's List is where consumers turn to get the real scoop on local contractors and companies in more than 280 different categories. Currently, more than 500,000 consumers across the U.S. rely on Angie's List to help them find the right contractor or company for the job they need done. Members have unlimited access to the list via Internet or phone; receive the Angie's List magazine, which includes articles on home improvement and maintenance, consumer trends and scam alerts; and they can utilize the Angie's List complaint resolution service. Get more information and consumer tips at www.angieslist.com.

###