Has your spouse ever mentioned the fact that you’re just not “handy” around the house? Even worse have you been compared to someone else’s spouse who can “fix” anything? I am not about to tell you that anyone can become a well-rounded handyman with a few quick tips, but if you have a basic mechanical aptitude and want to expand your knowledge about fixing broken things, I think I can help. I will begin with some ideas about how you can learn to be “handy”, and then I will outline some of the basic information about handymen you might want to hire. For the ladies, I am using “handyman” to mean both men and women, so don’t feel left out by all of this.

How Can I Learn to be a Handyman?

• Teach yourself by doing projects around the house. There are tons of online sites that can show you how to do basic things like changing an electrical receptacle or fixing a leaky faucet. The library (the old-fashioned place with real books) can be a great resource, as is the “How To” book section at the local building supply store.
• Back to School. Take a course at a local junior college or vocational school. Most of the time these courses are taught by retired practitioners who have spent many years “doing the stuff” in the real world. Their knowledge combined with experience is a great basis for learning from them. Many of these kinds of courses have a practical application time, somewhat like the old Industrial Arts shop classes in high school where we ended up making a bowl or screwdriver.
• Home Improvement Center. Many of these major centers offer regular public classes, usually at no cost, taught by various department specialists who will walk you through the basics of plumbing, framing, electrical, insulation, drywall, etc.
• Donate Time to Learn. I have always admired former President Jimmy Carter for the years he has devoted to Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization that builds housing for very low income people or folks who have lost their home in natural disasters like Katrina. You can contact them to find out if there is an upcoming project in your area, and volunteer some time to work alongside the expert carpenters, plumbers, electricians, roofers, and so on. If you are able to spend a bit of time with each tradesman, you will get a well-rounded introduction to all of the various skills involved in house building. These skills will be very helpful in doing repairs and upgrades later.

What Do I Need to Know About Hiring a Handyman?

• Definition. A handyman is a person who can perform a wide variety of small tasks and jobs. They are found in every community and offer low-cost services that can be as diverse as gardening to home repair.
• What Can They Do? Many are multi-taskers in that they can do almost any kind of repair, upgrade or new installation. Small to medium-sized jobs are their preference, like being able to repair damaged drywall or remodel a whole room. They could troubleshoot electrical or plumbing problems or fix a broken piece of furniture. The best handymen are able to tackle virtually any problem set before them, and have connections to other experts for the few times they cannot do the job themselves.
• Are They Licensed? Some are, many are not. Some pursue a license to be more appealing to customers, but this does not necessarily mean they are better at doing the work. Some customers prefer a handyman who is bonded and insured, to protect themselves, their home and possessions.
• How Much Do They Charge? Most have an hourly rate and work on a time and material basis. Some charge more for emergency response time. Many are true innovators, and can save you lots of money by using their ingenuity to make repairs, where others might recommend purchasing a new appliance or whatever is broken.
• Are They Equally Skilled? No! The inherent ability of the handyman and the level of commitment to quality work will vary greatly.
• How Do I Find a Good One? Ask your friends and neighbors who they have used. Ask prospective handymen about their qualifications, and ask for references (and check them out). When you find a good one…keep them!

So, now you need to decide if you are the handyman or if you need to find one. Don’t be afraid to test your wings on a small project at your house first. You may never know… you might love it and become someone else’s handyman!

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