What Should I Know When Hiring Home Maintenance Help?

We all know that good help is hard to find. Whether you’re preparing your home for sale, fixing up a new purchase, or maintaining your existing home, finding qualified professionals that provide good value can be difficult. Below are some tips to help you find the best help for your home projects.

1. Hire only reputable home maintenance and repair professionals. Request a copy of their business license and current insurance, then confirm the insurance is still in effect. Never allow an unlicensed person to perform any work on your property. Should he or she be injured, you could be liable.

2. Think twice before hiring neighborhood children or the local (unlicensed) handyman. You opening yourself to potential liability should an injury take place on your property, and have little to no recourse if the work is performed improperly. Sub-standard work can also cause trouble selling your home or obtaining insurance later.

3. Don’t pay in advance. Depending upon the type of work a deposit may be required, but do not make final payment until the work is completed to your satisfaction.

4. Insist on a contract, and carefully review it before signing (especially the fine print). Ask questions if you don't understand something.

5. Ask for references and follow up with them. Speak to friends or colleagues who have worked with this professional in the past.

6. Call the Better Business Bureau to make sure there are no complaints against the provider, or look them up with a review provider such as Angie’s List.

7. Ask for the name of the subcontractors who will be working on your property. If security is a concern, ask if the business runs background checks on their employees.

I can also provide referrals upon request. Call me at 317.777.1805, or email me at Scott@LacySells.com, for more information.