“Is it time to call for handyman services?”
It’s a common question for homeowners, who face a variety of maintenance and repair jobs that they likely have no experience whatsoever fixing or even deciding how to fix. There’s a huge difference between trying to do it yourself, hiring a licensed profession or hiring a handyman.
It is crucial to consider why it is worthwhile to use handymen services in the first place. They may not be able to provide solutions to extremely intricate problems, but at Hopkins and Porter, they are worth their weight in gold.
HANDYMAN SERVICES DO QUICK WORK
Not only are handymen great to use, they are quick at what they do. When you give a handyman a standard repair or routine maintenance to handle, you know that they have likely performed the same task many times before, which means they will know how to do it efficiently. Moreover, they often have specialized tools for the job that the average DIYer doesn’t have, cutting the time of the job drastically.
HANDYMAN SERVICES ARE A COST-EFFECTIVE OPTION
You can’t get more cost-effective than using handymen services, even when you do your own work. Most homeowners do not have experience with handling the same tasks repeatedly. Handyman services are an excellent way to get the most value for your time and money, and this is especially true when you have very little free time on your hands, which increases the value even more.
Before deciding to do the project yourself, make sure you factor in the time it is going to take you to complete the project. If you will save a hundred dollars doing it yourself, but the project will take you 15 hours, then you aren’t even valuing your time at minimum wage. If you don’t have a ton of free time on your hand, is it really worth less than $7.25 an hour to do it yourself?
Additionally, handymen generally have flexible schedules, so you can get the help you need during the days and hours that work best for you.
HANDYMAN SERVICES ARE A GREAT ALL-IN-ONE CHOICE
As long as you do not give a handyman an intricate job regarding a specific profession, they can generally handle anything. Whether it is a simple remodel, repair, or some maintenance on central air conditioning, these professionals can be a great all-in-one option to use for when you need help around the house.
In general, people call different people for electrical, plumbing and carpentry repairs. This can turn out to be really costly because each of these people will charge for the trip as well as the repair. Instead, if you can have one person or company take care of everything, you’ll save money. Additionally, you’ll also be saving time because, if you have 2-3 small repairs that need to be done, you can even schedule them the same day. No need to keep taking time off from work.
With handymen services from Hopkins and Porter, you can get many, if not all, your repairs done in one place. Your flush stopped flushing? Call Hopkins and Porter. Your walls need painting? Call Hopkins and Porter. Your locks need to be changed? You can call Hopkins and Porter for that too.
3 THINGS TO ASK BEFORE DECIDING
When considering spending big on a licensed professional or saving money by doing it yourself, there are three critical questions you should ask yourself.
COULD I HURT MYSELF DOING THIS?
Be realistic about this. You are not Superman. Climbing ladders is dangerous. Working around power sources can result in serious harm to yourself or others around you. Using power tools can result in an injury which may send you to the emergency room. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, stationary saws (including table saws and band saws) alone accounted for 101,900 injuries in the two year period of 2007-2008. Roughly 65 percent of those injuries were lacerations, just over 12 percent were fractures, and about 10 percent of the injuries were actually amputations. Most of these people had used the offending saw multiple times before. Even if you think you know how to use the tools, it is a good idea to hire a professional for your own safety if the project is going to require potentially dangerous tools.
DO I ACTUALLY KNOW HOW TO DO THIS?
Just because you have watched a few YouTube videos by other DIYers, does not mean you know how to install carpeting in your whole house or how to rewire the electricity in your basement. Unless you are absolutely sure you can complete a project properly, you may end up spending extra money when you have to hire a professional to fix your “repairs” or when you have to redo the project later.
Getting work done on your home can vary greatly, including flooring, roofing, plumbing, and more. It is crucial to acquire proper maintenance and repairs for your home to avoid expensive issues in the future. In order to get the best value for your money, you should learn when it is appropriate to utilize handymen services and when it is ideal to hire a professional contractor.
DOES THE SCOPE OF THE JOB MATCH THE SOLUTION?
Since professional contractors generally specialize in one field, they will be able to handle intricate jobs in that field. However, many home-related jobs are not that demanding or intricate, which means you can use handymen services for quite a few projects and problems.
While a handyman can handle a long-term project, these jobs are usually best for contractors. Anything within the time frame of hours, days or weeks should be considered for handyman services. It is also quite beneficial to utilize handymen services for decently long projects as they will help you save a considerable amount of money compared with hiring contractors.
AN EASY ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTIONS
As the premier residential architecture design and build firm in the Mid-Atlantic Region, Hopkins and Porter has been transforming lives and building dreams since 1977. Remodeling homes to suit new owners and designing and constructing unique custom homes based on client needs are our specialties. What you may not know is that in line with the pride we take in building extraordinary homes, we take equal pride in maintaining them.
While not everyone is in the market to build or remodel their home, most everyone can use reliable handyman services from time to time. We are devoted to providing professional handyman services to anyone in need of trusted, quality maintenance for their home. Whether it’s the exterior or the interior of your home that needs work, our experts will determine the best solution and complete all repairs within your time frame and within your budget. Listed below are some of the services we offer.
Decks and Patios
- Rotted/cracked/loose wood replacement
- Railing replacement/repair
- Caulking
- Sliding repairs and replacement
- Decks and patios built/repaired/replaced
- Patio and deck door repair
- Fix loose handrails
- Repair or replace bent boards
- Deck staining/re-sealing/painting/power washing
Gutters and Roofing
- Complete tear-off and replacement
- Tile, shingle, and composite roofs
- Gutter repairs and cleaning
- Leak repairs
Painting and Drywall
- Door Painting
- Trim painting/crown molding
- Furniture staining/painting
- Wallpaper repair/removal
- Stucco/siding painting
- Faux finishes
- Drywall repair/hanging/finishing
- Caulking
Electrical
- Repairs
- Installation of ceiling fans/new fixtures
- Outdoor wiring
- Hard-wired smoke detectors
- Installation of carbon monoxide detectors
- Installation of recessed lighting/under cabinet lighting
- Upgrading electrical panels and sub-panels
- Installing GFCI’s
- Installing electrical surge protectors
- Garage/outdoor lighting motion sensors
Doors and Windows
- Exterior caulking
- Energy-efficient installations
- Routine maintenance
- New and replacement locks
- Storm door installations
Plumbing
- Water heaters
- Faucet repair/replacement
- Sump pump replacement
- Sink installation
- Minor plumbing leaks
- Toilet repair/installation
- Shower head installation
- Garbage disposal repair
Our experienced crew is happy to come to your home and solve your problem, no matter how trivial it may seem. From something as minor as a doorbell that doesn’t work, to larger tasks involving drywall, carpentry, or electrical expertise, our team of professionals will tend to your needs in a timely manner.
Because we recognize the importance of a properly maintained home, we make it a point to specialize in every area. For instance, a roof in need of repair is not something that should be put off. To avoid having to replace your entire roof, call our handyman services at the first sign of distress. We specialize in a variety of roofing types, such as asphalt, composite, fiberglass, wood and shake, slate, 3 tab shingles, tile, metal, dimensional and premium shingles, and impact resistant.
Over time, a roof will succumb to weather-related damage, and simply become a bit less stable as the years go by. At the first sign of deterioration, having shingles replaced can save time and money, and keep you from experiencing unnecessary stress.
If you have a leaky roof, it is imperative to have it taken care of immediately. Our professional roofers will respond to your leak and any other issues very quickly, before it becomes an outright catastrophe. They will assess the severity of damage and work with you to come up with a reliable solution within your budget.
Replacement or repair of wood flooring on patios or decks, as well as handrails and posts, can prevent serious accidents. Likewise, faulty electrical issues should be handled only by licensed electricians, who can prevent something as minor as a shock or as major as an electrical fire. States have strict standards on electrician licensing for a reason. Our handymen are at your disposal to ensure you and your family are protected and able to enjoy your home, worry-free.
If you need reliable, professional handyman services, contact us with your concerns, so together we can form a solution. Home building and maintenance is our business, and we look forward to helping you maintain yours.
