Photo: istockphoto.com
Those who own a home know that they require various repairs, upgrades, and maintenance. While there’s occasionally a spare weekend to tackle some of these jobs on your own, that honey-do list can quickly grow out of control. Sometimes the best option is to turn those jobs over to a professional. A good handyman can handle various jobs, from painting a room to assembling furniture to installing a new light fixture.
While you can hire a handyman from a local business, a top national handyman service offers reliability, ample availability, and excellent customer service. The best handyman services will stand by their work with guarantees that last as long as a year after completion. Before searching for “the best handyman near me,” check out this guide that will examine what you should look for and review some of the best handyman services out there.
- BEST OVERALL: Mr. Handyman
- RUNNER-UP: Ace Handyman Services
- BEST ONLINE BOOKING: Handy
- ALSO CONSIDER: Handyman Connection
Photo: istockphoto.com
What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best Handyman Services
While perusing websites for handyman services, there are various factors one should consider, including service area, scheduling, services offered, and customer support. Ahead, learn more about these and other important factors.
Service Area and Scheduling
The first step in choosing a handyman service is finding one that serves the area a customer lives in. While most national handyman companies have their locations spread fairly evenly across the U.S., there won’t necessarily be one in every city and town. Most services have an online location tool that allows homeowners or renters to see if their home is in the company’s service area. A homeowner can also call the handyman service directly.
Handyman services typically offer two ways to schedule service. Some allow the customer to schedule service online or even via a handyman app on their smartphone. Others require their clients to call a toll-free number to schedule service. Those who value person-to-person contact when scheduling work in their home should choose a handyman service that offers clients a toll-free phone number for scheduling.
Services Offered
While most handyman services include assembly, carpentry, installation, maintenance, painting, remodeling, and general repairs in their list of services, many also offer services that set them apart from their competitors. These specialties include more advanced electrical and plumbing work, landscaping, fence installation, and deck repair. When vetting a handyman service, homeowners should look at their service offerings and choose one that matches the job that needs to be done. To avoid going through the vetting process again when choosing a service, homeowners should also consider what other household jobs will soon require a handyman.
Quotes and Pricing
Not all handyman services price their work the same way. Some charge by the hour, while others charge by the job. While there’s nothing wrong with either billing method, it’s important to consider how a handyman charges as it pertains to the size of the job. It makes sense to charge hourly for small jobs that may only take a few hours to complete, such as a minor plumbing repair or a shelf installation. For larger multi-day projects, it’s better to go with a handyman that will charge by the project, eliminating the need for the homeowner to monitor the crew to make sure they aren’t taking too long to complete the work. A good handyman service should also be able to give its clients a quote before performing the work.
Insurance and Licensing
When looking for “home repair services near me,” a homeowner should always check to see if the service is insured and if its technicians have the proper licensing to perform work in the state. Many states require the handyman to have some type of license. For example, in Massachusetts any handyman performing structural work or more extensive renovations must have a contractor’s license. Any handyman working in Maryland must have a home improvement license. Some states base their licenses on the value of the renovation. In Arizona, for example, any work over $1,000 requires a contractor’s license. Certain types of electrical and plumbing work also require licenses in most states. With this in mind, a customer should ask the handyman service if it has the licenses necessary to do the job before hiring it.
In addition to having the proper licensing, a good handyman service will also be insured. This is crucial given that homeowners insurance likely won’t cover work done by contractors, nor will it provide medical coverage should a technician be injured on the job. A good handyman service will have an insurance policy covering any accidental damage to the home and any injuries its technicians might suffer while on the job.
Guarantee
Many handyman services stand by their work with guarantees, but not all guarantees are the same. Some services guarantee their work for up to a year, while others may only do so for a few days. Since handyman services guarantees can vary, the customer will want to ask during the vetting process how long the company stands by its work.
Customer Support
Being able to get in touch with the handyman service when there are questions about the job or if something goes wrong is crucial. Since handyman services vary in how they offer customer service, it’s a good idea for the homeowner to choose one that works with their preferences. Those who like to interact with a live person should choose a service with a toll-free customer service phone number, while those who’d rather trade messages with a representative online should choose a service that offers a chat option.
A handyman service with limited customer service hours can be more frustrating to work with, so it’s also important to consider customer service hours. Some handyman services also offer other features designed to improve customer service, such as text alerts that let the customer know when the technician is on the way.
Our Top Picks
The list below takes into account the above considerations to narrow the field to some of the top handyman services.
Photo: mrhandyman.com
Why It Made the Cut: Mr. Handyman has an experienced team of technicians throughout a broad network of locations, making it one of the best picks for handyman services.
A broad service area, experienced technicians, and robust customer service set Mr. Handyman apart from its competitors. With some 200 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, Mr. Handyman has the most extensive coverage area of any handyman service in the U.S., making it more widely available than competing services.
Mr. Handyman’s technicians are among the most experienced in the business, and each has an average of 10 years of experience. This experience inspires customers’ confidence that Mr. Handyman will do the job right the first time. And, if for some reason the job isn’t done correctly, Mr. Handyman stands behind its work for 6 months.
The company is also one of few handyman services with multiple customer support channels, including phone and live chat. An appointment for service with Mr. Handyman can be made entirely through its Neighborly app, which is convenient for those short on time, or via a call center for those who have questions and would like an immediate estimate for the job.
Specs
- Service area: U.S. and Canada
- Scheduling: Online, phone
- Services offered: Assembly, carpentry, installation, maintenance, painting, remodeling, repair
- Guarantee: 6-month guarantee on work
- Customer support: Phone, live chat
Pros
- Each professional is knowledgeable with an average of 10 years’ experience
- Over 200 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada
- Booking available via Neighborly app
- Customer support available via phone and live chat
Cons
- Some services may not be available at all locations
Photo: acehandymanservices.com
Why It Made the Cut: The ability to schedule chunks of time ranging from 2 hours to a full day makes Ace Handyman Services ideal for handling multiple odd jobs.
Excellent customer communication and a fee structure that caters to those looking for a service to manage multiple small jobs make Ace an ideal choice for those looking to get their to-do list checked off. Customers can hire Ace for a 2-hour, half-day, or full-day block.
Although Ace is associated with Ace Hardware, the handyman service is independent of the home improvement store, so customers shouldn’t assume Ace Handyman Services is available through their local Ace Hardware store. The handyman service’s online location search function isn’t exceptionally accurate, but customers can call the company’s toll-free number to verify availability.
Ace conducts background checks annually on its technicians, which gives customers peace of mind. Customers can typically schedule service within a couple of days, and Ace will send text alerts to the customer to let them know when the technician is on the way.
Specs
- Service area: U.S.
- Scheduling: Online, phone
- Services offered: Assembly, carpentry, installation, maintenance, painting, remodeling, repair, gutters, power washing, home security
- Guarantee: 1-year guarantee on work
- Customer support: Phone
Pros
- 2-hour, half-day, and full-day packages available
- Background checks performed for all technicians
- Technicians send “on my way” text updates
Cons
- Location search function is somewhat unreliable
Photo: handy.com
Why It Made the Cut: Handy offers services not found with competitors, including landscaping, moving, home cleaning, and even furniture sales.
Handy differentiates itself from the competition by offering services most other handyman services don’t. In addition to carpentry, installation, maintenance, painting, and the like, Handy also can assist with landscaping, moving, and home cleaning. Handy is also the only handyman service that sells furniture, a service it offers through The Home Shop. Customers can make a furniture purchase online and have it assembled by a Handy technician when it arrives.
The company stands behind its work with the Handy Happiness Guarantee. If a client isn’t happy with the service, the company will send a technician to fix it at no charge. However, complaints must be made within 72 hours of the service’s completion, which is a relatively narrow window. But customers looking for convenience will appreciate that they can book appointments directly through the Handy app.
Specs
- Service area: U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom
- Scheduling: Online, app
- Services offered: Assembly, carpentry, installation, maintenance, painting, remodeling, repair, cleaning, plumbing, electrical, moving, landscaping
- Guarantee: Satisfaction guarantee
- Customer support: Email
Pros
- Landscaping, moving help, and home cleaning services offered
- The Home Shop allows customers to purchase furniture online with assembly included
- Convenient booking available via the Handy app
Cons
- Customers can only file complaints within 72 hours after the service was provided
Photo: handymanconnection.com
Why It Made the Cut: Handyman Connection is a standout handyman service that offers deck and fencing repair, electrical, and plumbing.
Handyman Connection differentiates itself by providing services not commonly found on other sites, including deck and fence repair and installation, along with other specialty services like plumbing and electrical. Customers will be pleased with its 1-year work guarantee and practice of conducting annual background checks on all its technicians.
While Handyman Connection has more than 60 locations across the U.S. and Canada, nailing down where these locations are can be a challenge as the company’s location search function is not particularly reliable. But it’s a simple process for customers to call the company’s toll-free number to find a location and schedule a service.
Specs
- Service area: U.S. and Canada
- Scheduling: Phone
- Services offered: Carpentry, electrical, maintenance, painting, plumbing, remodeling, installation
- Guarantee: 1-year guarantee on work
- Customer support: Phone
Pros
- Deck repair and installation, fencing, electrical, and plumbing services offered
- Background checks performed for all technicians
Cons
- Location search function is somewhat unreliable
Our Verdict
For its experienced technicians, a large number of locations, and top-notch customer service, Mr. Handyman is the best all-around handyman service. Those looking for a service that will help them with a list of smaller jobs should consider Ace Handyman Services with its ability to schedule services in various time slots.
Before You Hire One of the Best Handyman Services
Before hiring a handyman service, it’s important to understand the scope of work a handyman service can provide. Most handyman services are for smaller tasks that can be completed in a day or two, such as fixing a closet door, repainting kitchen cabinets, repairing a deck, or assembling a bookshelf. A handyman is probably not the right choice for a major kitchen or bathroom remodeling job. And depending on what state you’re in, a handyman may not even be licensed to take on bigger jobs. For larger projects that could take weeks to complete, it’s usually best to hire a licensed contractor who can handle more significant renovations and assemble the team of specialists you need to complete the job. They’ll also be familiar with the various permits you’ll need to acquire.
Cost of Hiring One of the Best Handyman Services
The cost of hiring a handyman can vary dramatically. Small independent handyman services typically have an hourly rate between $60 and $70. National handyman services are significantly higher at around $125 per hour. For specialized services such as plumbing or electrical, expect to pay more.
Hourly rates aren’t the only thing to consider. An experienced handyman who does not charge by the hour is familiar with how long the job will take and typically charges a flat fee for completing the work. As these rates are for labor only, the customer should also factor in the cost of the materials, which can vary depending on the service.
The Advantages of Using One of the Best Handyman Services
Sometimes, attempting to DIY a project isn’t feasible. And while hiring the cheapest guy on the block to get the job done may seem like a good way to save money, it can often cost the customer more. By hiring one of the best handyman services, homeowners can feel confident they’re getting a qualified technician to do the job, increasing the odds that it will be done right the first time. A good handyman service is also fully insured and has all the proper licenses, ensuring somebody with the know-how to get the task done safely will be on the job. A professional will also be aware of any permits or inspections a job requires, eliminating the need for the homeowner to navigate this themselves.
- A professional ensures the job gets done right the first time.
- The best services are fully insured and employ licensed technicians.
- Someone else does the job, so the homeowner doesn’t have to sacrifice their weekends DIY-ing it.
- Professional services are familiar with the required licenses and permits for many projects.
FAQs
While this guide has answered a bevy of questions relating to handyman services, you may still have a few questions lingering. Here are the answers to the most pressing questions homeowners have when searching for “the best handyman services near me.”
Q. What are basic handyman skills?
While a handyman can have a long list of skills, they should be able to handle carpentry, basic plumbing, minor electrical wiring, most maintenance tasks, and minor renovations.
Q. Can a handyman paint a house?
Yes. In fact, this is one of the best jobs for a handyman. A handyman will know how to protect the home’s furniture and paint difficult areas such as around the trim and ceiling. Since painting is a common handyman service, one can expect a professional-looking finish.
Q. What is a handyman service?
A handyman service can typically complete work that covers a broad scope of services, including carpentry, home maintenance, basic electrical and plumbing work, and painting, among other things.
Q. What makes a good handyman?
A good handyman will complete quality work, show up when they say they will be there, and meet deadlines. A good handyman will also admit when a job isn’t in their skill set.
Q. What is the difference between a handyman and a contractor?
A handyman is qualified to take on smaller jobs that take about 1 to 2 days to complete. A general contractor can take on larger renovation projects that span days or weeks, coordinate workers with special skill sets, and obtain various building permits.
Q. How much do handyman services cost?
Handyman rates vary, but expect to pay between $60 and $70 per hour for an independent handyman and $125 per hour for a handyman that works for a national franchised service.
