Home Repair Help:
The Handyman Helpers Guide

Are You a Do It Yourselfer?

Before you get started with home repair, you need to decide whether this is a job that you plan to complete yourself. It is important to be realistic about the amount of time and money you are prepared to spend before you start, as well as your own skill level and commitment to the project.

Hiring a Contractor

Before signing a home repair contract there are measures that you can take to safeguard yourself. There are specific questions to ask a contractor or handyman and references to check. Checking references from homeowners who have previously had work completed by this individual or company is an important step that shouldn’t be missed.

Another step before signing on the dotted line is to inquire about home repair insurance. Be sure you know what your responsibilities and liabilities are before construction begins. You also need to be sure you know your responsibilities regarding workers compensation coverage.

Building Permits

Home building permits is an area that is often missed by do it yourselfers and some contractors. Although the process may be lengthy and there are fees involved, having the proper building permits is for the safety of everyone involved, especially those who reside in the home.

A building inspector makes sure everything is built to code and will only allow you to proceed with your construction when he is comfortable that everything has been done in a safe and legal manner.

Whether or not you need a permit for your particular project will be determined by where you live. Since every municipality varies with their specific requirements, you will need to check with your city hall or town hall to determine if permits are required for your home improvement project.

Home Tool Box

To tackle a home project yourself, be sure you know what tools you need and take inventory as to the state of your own home repair tool kit or whether you can borrow them from a friend or neighbor. You can also find home repair help and tool rental services at your local home building center.

Types of Nails - Be sure you choose the right nail for the job for your home repair projects.

Nail Sizes - Would you know if a 20d nail could be used when a 25 mm size is called for. Learn more about the differences between metric and imperial measurement for nail and screw sizes.

Help at Home

Your children can be a terrific resource for home repair help – holding items, retrieving the screwdriver or even swinging the hammer. If your kids show an interest in home repair, then getting them involved in the Home Depot kids workshop is a great way to teach them basic construction and tool safety.

Home Maintenance

Regular home maintenance is one of the keys to avoiding unsafe situations in the home and costly repairs. We recommend following a home maintenance calendar and using a home maintenance checklist to ensure that you review all areas of your home on an annual basis.

Are You Buying a New or Older Home?

Check out all the gauges, meters, detectors and tools a home inspector may use while inspecting your house. And review this house inspection list to familiarize yourself with the kinds of deficiencies an inspector is looking for.

Is the Home Repair Business For You?

Are you the guy (or girl) all your friends call to help them out? If you like doing home repairs, chances are you have thought about starting a home repair business or purchasing a handyman franchise.

It is not as simple as running an ad, there is a lot of research to be done before you get started. Do you need a business license, will you advertise, where will you get customers from, do you have a trades certificate or skill in one particular area, and most importantly do you have the motivation and commitment to start your own business?

It is not easy and it takes a lot of work, but starting your own business can be hugely rewarding.

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