Every now and then something or the other happens in and around your home that needs immediate attention, but you are not able to handle it on your own perhaps because of the lack of the right tools, or maybe you do not have the skills to do it. In such situation, you will consider hiring a handyman or a contractor.
But what is the difference between these two, and how do you decide which is one is best suited to what situation? If these are the questions now in your mind, continue reading and discover your answer.
The Differences
Handyman is a person without any trade license but still has a lot of experience of working in different houses. He will have the equipment and tools necessary to solve little problems in your home. However, what you need to remember is that every professional in this field is not the same, their experience, and the kind of work they offer varies from one from one person to another.
As there is no license required for them to work, selecting the right one becomes all the more difficult and you need to depend on word of mouth or go through online reviews if any. An independent contractor, on the other hand, is a licensed professional, who has completed his training, has earned a certificate, and is insured and licensed for the kind of services he provides.
Handyman can do almost any kind of work for you, even small little things like minor plumbing repairs, installing light fixtures, and even paint touchups in your home. You will not have to hire three separate professionals for each of these purposes and thus you will save money. Furthermore, the hourly rate he will quote will be quite low. A professional contractor in London, however, can be expensive and are ideal for renovation projects or full jobs.
Who Should You Hire?
An easy way to find out who should you hire will be to first to understand the nature of the job you need them for. If you need just small modifications or minor repairs to be taken care of, that can be completed in a day or two, then finding a local handyman can prove to be a practical choice and far more cost-effective. So, if you need little things to be done like caulking windows, replacing weather-stripping or patching holes in your walls, then a handyman is your answer.
If you need a professional to manage a large-scale project that will require proper planning and expensive changes like remodelling some rooms or your entire home or adding a new room, then you need a contractor who has the license and training and can comply with the housing code. This can prove to be comparatively expensive, but it will also ensure you the peace of mind knowing that everything will be done the right way, and you will not have to worry about unnecessary extra expenses in the future.
So, sit back, make a list of the problems or work you want to be done, and once your list is ready you will now easily be able to identify whether you need a handyman or a contractor.
