Tips From ProActiv

With your free time decreasing, your family schedule getting busier, and the list of your house projects to repair growing longer, it is becoming clearer that it’s time to hire a professional. In fact, having help around the house is no longer a luxury; it has become a necessity. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, home and building owners have increasingly relied on professional services for repair and maintenance tasks, and an 8% job increase is predicted for repair and maintenance workers in the next 10 years. Additionally, hiring a skilled repair professional can be a more cost-effective and time-saving solution than making repairs yourself.

Hire the Right Professional

Before you go to Google and search for a professional maintenance company, we want to help you understand the difference between a handyman, a contractor, and a skilled trade professional. When it comes to home or building repairs, hiring the right professional is crucial. To help you determine which professional is needed for your home projects, we put together some comprehensive comparisons below.

Handyman vs Contractor

Two common terms that are often used interchangeably are “handyman” and “contractor.” However, there are some important differences between the two. A handyman is typically a skilled worker who can perform a variety of projects (e.g., minor electrical repairs, minor plumbing, minor HVAC projects, minor carpentry, and drywall repairs) at home or in a commercial building.

However, a contractor is typically licensed and specializes in larger home-improvement projects (e.g., remodeling a kitchen or building an extension).

While both professionals can be useful for different needs, it’s important to understand the distinctions between the two when deciding which to hire for a particular job.

Handyman vs Skilled Trade Professional

A handyman and a skilled trade professional are two different types of service workers that can help you with home repairs and improvements. A handyman is also a type of skilled trade professional—even though they may work in several trades without licensure. They are typically a jack-of-all-trades who can handle a variety of jobs (e.g. Minor electrical repairs, plumbing, HVAC projects, carpentry, and drywall repairs) at home or in a commercial building. They may  or may not have specialized training or certifications, but they are generally knowledgeable and experienced in home repair.

However, skilled trade professionals have completed training and apprenticeships in specific trades (e.g., plumbing, electrical work, or carpentry). They have in-depth knowledge and expertise in their field and can handle more specialized and complex tasks (e.g., rewiring a house or installing a new HVAC system).

While both handymen and skilled trade professionals can be valuable for home repairs and improvements, it’s important to choose the right service provider for the job. For minor repairs and tasks, a handyman may be a good choice, but for more complex or specialized work, it’s best to hire a skilled trade professional.

However, it’s always best to call your handyman first, as they will send you in the right direction.

Why Hiring a Handyman can be the Best Solution for Home & Building Maintenance

Again, a handyman is a type of skilled trade professional, and it’s always best to call your handyman first to assess a repair and direct you to the best solution. This could save you time and money. An honest, trustworthy handyman will tell you whether they can fix the problem, or you need to bring in a particular skilled trade professional or contractor.

For example, we had a client whose air conditioner died. She called a heating and cooling company, and they recommended that she buy a new air-conditioning unit. She called ProActiv Prevention for a second opinion. Our technician found the part of the unit that needed to be replaced. Instead of our client paying thousands of dollars for a new AC unit and installation, she paid $55.00 for a part. (See: “How We Saved Our Client $5000.”)

Additionally, a handyman has the necessary expertise and experience to identify and fix problems quickly and efficiently. By hiring a handyman, you can avoid costly mistakes from attempting the repairs yourself.

Finally, a handyman can complete multiple tasks in one visit, thereby saving you time and hassle. Overall, utilizing the services of a skilled handyman can be a smart investment for your home, business and budget.

Here’s why: 

They have the necessary expertise. A skilled handyman has the knowledge and experience to handle a wide range of home repairs and maintenance tasks. They can quickly identify the problem and suggest the most efficient and cost-effective solution.

They have the right tools. A professional handyman will come equipped with all the necessary tools and equipment needed for the job. You won’t have to spend money on buying or renting tools that you may only use once.

They can prevent further damage. By fixing the problem correctly the first time, a killed handyman can prevent further costly damage from occurring. 

They can save time. Hiring a handyman to take care of your home repairs and maintenance can free your time to focus on other important things in your life.

Let Us Know How We Can Help!

The best way to get start is to just do it. Having a preventative maintenance plan is easy. Add it to your routine cleaning or maintenance schedule and feel the relief of being ProActiv! If you need help feel free to give us a call and ask for a free walk through for your home, business, or condo building.