Cut Down Your Honey-Do List With Trusted Handyman Services

As millions of Americans are spending more time at home than they have in a long while, home improvement projects have skyrocketed. Contractors are in short supply, as are DIY tools and supplies. But let's face it, not everyone is an HGTV superstar. Some of us look around our homes, see a project to be done, but have no idea where to start. Maybe you want to paint a room, but you've never painted a room before. Or perhaps you have an outlet that needs to be replaced, but you don't know the first thing about wiring. You could try to conquer these tasks alone, but you run the risk of some pretty unpleasant failures. So if your honey-do list is growing by the minute, you'll be relieved to know that your local handyman service can over almost anything on your list. Now is no time to experiment with your DIY skills. Hiring a handyman will save time and get the job done right.

What a Handyman Can Do

A handyman is an interesting sort of job description. It means different things to different people. On the low end of the skill and professionalism scale is a lone freelancer who knows a few things about home improvement and will accept cash to help you out. On the other end of the spectrum is a fully licensed and insured general contractor who could oversee building an addition to your home if that's what you wanted. Obviously, a general contractor will be more expensive than a handy neighborhood fix-it guy. There are advantages to having a construction professional, but in many cases, that's just overkill.

So what exactly can a handyman do? In short, a good handyman can do anything you would be able to do yourself if you had just a little more skill and know-how. So you won't find a handyman rewiring your home or building an addition. But for jobs like minor renovations—e.g., replacing a kitchen backsplash, installing a ceiling fan, hanging a door—or small repairs, a handyman is just the right fit.

Every handyman service is different, so it's important to ask about your handyman's skills and experience before you hire them. Here are just some of the services you can expect from a handyman:

Carpentry

Most handymen are great at carpentry work. Finish carpentry encompasses any construction work done after the basic framing, drywall, wiring, plumbing, and insulation have been installed. That can include window installation, building or hanging cabinets, hangings door, trim, molding, wainscotting, and even some types of flooring.

Finishing Trim

Some people think of trim as just the decorative bits of material around a window or door. But it also includes baseboards, crown molding, wainscotting, and even wood paneling. When it's done right, trim work can even hide imperfections in the house, like joints that aren't perfectly straight or doors that aren't perfectly aligned. For baseboards and molding, a handyman can get the mitered joints just right, hiding any small imperfections where your walls meet the ceiling or floor.

Hanging a Door

Hanging a door often means more than just screwing in the hinges. Many homes, especially older homes, have settled, and doors made in a factory may not fit perfectly. A handyman has the tool and expertise to straighten out the door and get it to fit just right. They may use a chisel to create the perfect spot for a hinge in your door frame or even adjust the door slightly.

Cabinet Installation

If you are replacing your cabinets, they will most likely be built in a woodworking shop off-site. But once they arrive at your home, they need to be installed. Your cabinets will hold a lot of weight and many breakable items, so they must be installed correctly. A handyman will find the studs and make sure that your cabinets are attached securely and invisibly. Every line will be level, and the cabinets will be placed exactly where you want them.

Flooring Installation

Flooring installation may sound simple, but it's also easy to get wrong. Your floor needs to withstand a lot of abuse, and if it isn't installed right, that could become a serious problem. A handyman can install hardwood, softwood, laminate, or vinyl. They will make sure that the lines are even and the appropriate cuts are made to fit the flooring snuggly into corners, around obstacles, and along walls that are not square.

Plumbing

Some plumbing work requires a licensed plumber. But for many small jobs, a handyman is perfectly capable of doing the work. A handyman can install sinks, faucets, toilets, and showerheads. They can also fix them if they leak. If you have a refrigerator that dispenses water, that will require plumbing, too, and is well within the purview of a handyman. A handyman can also help you find and repair a leak. If your ceiling is dripping, a handyman can help you determine the source of the leak, open up the drywall to fix it, and patch the hole with new drywall, plaster, and paint. Most handymen are not roofing contractors, so if the problem is with your roof, you will likely need a referral to licensed roofers.

Electrical

Like plumbing, some electrical work requires a licensed professional. But many jobs can easily be handled by a handyman. For instance, if you need to replace or install a wall socket, a handyman can help. They can also install ceiling fans, can lights, and other finish work. If you have an outdoor fixture that isn't working, a handyman can make the repairs. Unless you are opening up your walls and running new wiring, you probably don't need a licensed electrician. One job that many homeowners love is hiding wires for appliances like TVs and audio systems. A handyman can take care of those jobs, too.

Painting

Painting a room is a classic DIY project. Shows on HGTV or ads in magazines make it look like you could just go out and buy some paint and get to work. But painting can be messy and time-consuming. And if you don't do it right, you won't love the results. If you have high ceilings or hard-to-reach areas, you may also be lacking the tools and expertise to get the paint to where you need it. So if you want your rooms to look great, hire a handyman. Most handymen are skilled and experienced painters who can apply your color of choice and leave your room looking just as you imagined.

Drywall

Over the years, the drywall in your home can take a beating. Whether it's small holes, water stains, or other issues, sometimes you just need some new drywall. A handyman can cut out the problem drywall, patch the hole, and finish it with paint or plaster, so it looks like new. Many other handyman jobs also require cutting out drywall, so it's reassuring to know that the drywall will be replaced and finished to match its surroundings when the job is done.

Siding

There are certainly companies out there who specialize in installing and repairing siding. But many siding issues can be solved by a handyman. A handyman can replace broken siding or install new siding. If your siding is dirty, a handyman can power wash it so it is clean without damaging the material. Often, broken or cracked siding can lead to leaks and water damage. A handyman can find the source of the water damage, repair it, and replace or repair the broken siding. If you're ready for all new siding, talk to your handyman. They may be able to do that, too.

Tile

Tile, whether it's on your floor, walls, or a backsplash, can be a beautiful addition to your home. It can also be a DIY disaster. Working with tile means handling grout and other materials that can quickly become a mess if you aren't experienced working with them. Tile also requires precision to get the straight lines and patterns you hope for. So if you need to install tiles anywhere in your home, consider hiring a handyman. You'll be amazed at the speed and precision with which an experienced professional can install tile. And you'll be thrilled with the results.

Finding a Reliable Handyman

Finding a reliable handyman can be challenging because it covers such a wide range of skills and job descriptions. You could check the bulletin board at your local hardware store or community center. But you have no idea whether you are getting an amateur with a business card or a well-rounded and experienced professional. Luckily, you've already found the right place to find a reliable handyman, TrustDALE.com. Every handyman service in the TrustDALE Circle of Trust has been reviewed with Dale's rigorous 7-point investigative review and is a business Dale would even use himself. So if your honey-do list is blowing up and you need a handyman, try one of these TrustDALE certified handyman services. You'll be glad you did.