Once a home improvement project is on the desired list, one of the first choices that you will have to make is who you will hire. Do you reach out to a local handyman who does several types of work or do you find a specialized contractor who does just one? The solution for each project is different and a wrong choice might cost you time and money.
This guide can help you understand and distinguish between handymen and specialized contractors so you can make an informed decision for your needs.
Understanding the Difference: What Each Professional Offers
A handyman is a generalist that is able to execute a broad spectrum of home repair and maintenance jobs. Typical handyman duties involve repairing drywall, painting, performing some plumbing and electrical work, carpentry, installing new tiles and maintaining the home. Handymen are likely to be a general contractor and know how to do a lot of things.
A specialized contractor specializes in a particular field, such as plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roof installation and repair, masonry, and custom carpentry. Specialized contractors are highly distinctive in their specific specialty and usually have trade-specific licenses, trade certifications and training, and qualifications which certify their expertise in the nature of the job.
They’re both useful for home improvement. That will depend on the size and scope of your project, and the requirements you have.
Cost Comparison: Where Does Your Budget Go?
One of the biggest reasons for the choice of a handyman versus a specialized contractor is cost. The typical handyman will charge in the region of the specialized contractor – somewhere between 30 and 50 dollars an hour. Specificized contractors often have an hourly rate ranging from fifty to a hundred and fifty dollars.
If you have simple and easy tasks to do at home, it is wise to call a Handyman since it is very cost efficient. Simple tasks like a bathroom faucet repair, drywall patching or a quick paint job don’t call for hiring a special plumber or contractor. Handyman’s cheaper price does the job within a reasonable budget.
But appearing hourly rates is not the whole picture. A handyman might not know how to do a complex job properly because he is no expert at it, so it can take him longer. Compared to the handyman, a specialized electrician may be able to complete a rewiring job in just one day. This whole cost spectrum may be the same or even more advantageous for the specialist even if the hourly charge is a bit more.
Expertise and Quality: What You Get for Your Money
Handymen are highly skilled in simple, basic jobs where there is a common solution. They know a few principles in construction to be able to solve some problems at the house. Just for homeowners that have lots of minor projects, a handyman offers reliable and decent work at affordable costs.
Specialized contractors have been dedicated to a single business for years and have mastered the trade. They know about complex systems, building codes relevant to their trade, and complex troubleshooting methods that are only gained from experience. If the project has any of those hidden issues, custom solutions or any technical challenges, it is when the experts are needed the most.
For instance, you can do your basic plumbing repair work, which is basic enough for any handyman to do. However, if your project requires a plumbing change that impacts a home’s drainage then the knowledge of a licensed plumber can be priceless to get right at the time.
Scope and Complexity: Knowing Your Project’s Demands
Small projects with clear, straightforward solutions are ideal handyman territory. Everything that is simple while having a definite solution is a handyman job. A handyman’s versatility and common sense really do come into their own when performing such tasks as hanging shelves, fitting a ceiling fan, painting a room or caulking gaps and replacing cabinet hardware.
Any project that has technical needs will require the assistance of specialized contractors for such projects. Special skills and training requirements exist for most aspects of electrical panel upgrades, structural changes, gas line installation, HVAC system maintenance, and roof repairs, and they all have building codes and safety concerns to consider. Unqualified personnel working on these jobs can cause severe safety hazards to be present and the violation of the building codes.
There are some projects in between. A bathroom upgrade may contain some basic carpentry and drywall work that a kid with a hand tool can do, however the plumbing and electrical elements must be done by professionals. In these situations, you might want to enlist the help of the general contractor who manages a bundle of specialists, or you might want to locate a few specialists you want to deal with independently for the technological sections.
Licensing and Insurance: Protecting Your Home and Investment
General contractor licenses are held by the handymen in most jurisdictions although the requirements for obtaining the license vary from state to state. A lot of handymen have liability coverage as a way to safeguard against damages and injuries on the job.
Specialized contractors have training-specific licenses and certifications that attest to and indicate their expertise and compliance with training codes. A qualified electrician with testing results of knowledge of electrical codes and safety. A licensed plumber has received training in proper installation and in compliance with code. These licenses assure that the work is in compliance with the law.
Do always request licenses and insurance before hiring out anybody. Licensed professionals have higher standards and can be held to their standards if they don’t provide quality or safe work. This protection is not only worth the price difference, but it is priceless.
Availability and Timeline: Getting Your Project Done
Handymen, on the other hand, frequently have more accommodating times and schedules. They are often single-men or run with small crews, when they have the flexibility to change their timetables depending on other people in need and several small jobs.
Specialised contractors can suffer from a long lead time, since there will be times when quality contractors are in greater demand than available. However, once they begin your project, they will likely do it quickly as they are proficient in working in their field. The trade off for scheduling usually even comes out level with respect to overall project duration.
Liability and Warranty: Who Guarantees the Work?
Handymen that are reputable will offer warranties, usually back their labor for a specific time period. But, when the handyman is not available or gone, disagreements on terms of warranty may get complicated.
A specialized contractor will not have such an extensive warranty, and may not be around for extended periods. Problems can occur after the job is done; an established experienced specialist contractor can be of service for corrections. Furthermore, there are several professions that have to offer warranties for a certain amount of time.
When to Choose a Handyman
Use a handyman if your project is small, simple, and not usually those of a specialist trade. Ideal handyman jobs are simple repairs, basic maintenance, and solving simple carpentry and painting dilemmas, as well as household chores. Another major reason why you should hire handymen is because they’re great for handling several small projects for your home in an efficient manner.
When to Choose a Specialized Contractor
Use specialized contractors for projects with a trade specific requirement, projects where you need to follow building codes, projects of a technical nature or if there are safety concerns. Specialists are needed for phenomena like electrical upgrades, plumbing overhauls, roofing, HVAC work and structural modifications.
Conclusion
The decision between using a handyman or specialized contractor depends on grasping your project’s size, complexity, and needs. Tasks that are simple and don’t require much nearly always fall under the category of handymen. Tasks and work that are complex, technical, or code dependent require the skill and responsibility of specialized contractors. Most homeowners value relationships with both: a handy man for general maintenance and small jobs, and trusted contractors for more complex jobs that call for greater expertise.
At Install Worxs we match homeowners with competent professionals for any project and range of prices. From basic handyman needs to a more in-depth service involving a specialist contractor or the selection of a professional to consider, one of our team members can help you make the right choice. Having a network of vetted handymen and specialized contractors for all trades, giving you exactly the expertise you’re looking for at the right rate.
Call Install Worxs today to discuss your project and we’ll ensure that you’re matched up with the right professional for your home improvement.