Being a homeowner comes with a constant list of items to be fixed – a leaky faucet, squeaky door, flickering light bulb or that wall that you have been meaning to paint. When an item is damaged or requires upgrading, however, a homeowner may ask himself or herself, 'Do I call a handyman, or do I need a specialist?'
Such confusion is not surprising. Both professionals are very helpful, and their functions are not similar. A handyman is often a generalist with a wide array of small to medium repair and improvement projects that they can tackle, whereas a specialist will focus on a particular area of trade e.g. electrical work, plumbing or installation of HVAC systems, and may require licences and certifications.
This blog aims to provide you with the information that will help you determine when it is worth contacting a handyman and when you should hire a specialist instead. Use this guide to make corrections and upgrades go smoother in the future and save yourself time, money, and frustration. Such companies as Serv Horizon have earned their reputation due to the provision of high-quality handyman services in such situations.
What Is a Handyman?
When you have an undetermined home repair issue, the choice is frequently handed to a handyman. They are trained in most household activities, which is why they are extremely versatile and economical.
Typical handyman skills are:
Small-scale plumbing: small repairs, leakages in the taps, clogged drains, and pieces of new plumbing.
Basic carpentry work: repairing doors, adjusting cabinets, etc.
Painting and patching: touch-up work, full wall and also drywall hole repairs.
Furniture putting together: bed, wardrobe or push-pack furniture assembly.
Appliance installation: TV mounting, washer and dryer installation, or light fixture installation.
Since a handyman is a jack-of-all-trades, you can request them to complete many household tasks at once. When the service to select is, say, a handyman service, such as Serv Horizon, you can bundle repairs that normally would require more than one visit, such as tightening door hinges, painting a room, and fixing a leaky pipe. This saves your time and money as compared to calling 3 different specialists each to take on 3 different tasks.
The greatest benefits? Constraints? Ability to exert more freedom, ease of access and flexibility. You can avoid the wait of a high number of people in need of an electrician or a plumber when all you require is a minor fixing.
What are the duties of a specialist?
A specialist is in a single exchange and is often trained, certified and licensed. Such professionals will come in handy when complexity, safety considerations, or building regulatory-related jobs are involved.
The examples of specialists:
Electricians – working on wiring or panel upgrades, or in circuits.
Plumbers – representing work on essential pipelines, sewer lines, and gas lines.
HVAC technicians - installation or servicing heating and cooling.
Licensed contractors – managing major building or structural renovation.
Since experts are more knowledgeable, they are needed where the error can prove hazardous or very costly to solve. Certainly, their prices are usually higher, but these expenses are also reasonable due to desired safety, accuracy, and reliability.
For example, on a simple level, connecting just another electrical outlet may be simple, but the rewiring and introducing of new circuits require the service of an electrician rather than just a handyman. A similar example is the installation of a water heater, which most likely needs a licensed plumber to install the heater correctly without violating local codes.
When to call a handyman
Not all jobs require a specialist who is costly. Handyman house problems are simple and at the same time most appropriate.
Scenarios in which a handyman is needed
Minor handicapped work: sealants, replacement of locks, personal lavatory replacements.
Multi-task jobs: When you need a small number of repair jobs, a single-job professional can work on them at the same time and in one trip.
Financially minded fixes: ones where it would be more cost-effective to take up the call-out charge than to actually perform the repair itself.
Fast response: very short-term problems that require immediate solutions without incurring a long waiting time.
Consider that you want to fix a hole in the drywall, put in a ceiling-type fan and build a bookshelf. It would be too much to call three specialists. A talented handyman in Serv Horizon can do everything fast and cheap.
Why Call a Specialist?
There are projects that are too complex – or risky – to be left in the hands of a generalist.
The cases in which you require an expert
Jobs that need permits or inspection: major plumbing alterations or additions to structural beams or electrical rewiring.
High-risk jobs: Tasks which deal with gas lines, big electrical panels, or the foundation.
The projects that imply working with costly materials or systems:For example, solar panel installation or repair of a custom air conditioning system.
Complicated or extensive repairs: renovation to kitchen, roof replacement, or extension of home.
These are assignments in which knowledge counts as much as performance. Areas of Concern Common concerns raised about licensed professionals are that they ensure the work is of a high standard in terms of safety regulations, eliminate future problems and safeguard the value of the property.
How to make a rapid decision
When you are not sure about whether to employ a handyman or to hire a specialised worker, these three questions can be very helpful:
Is it an easy or a complicated job? If it is standard or cosmetic, contact a handyman. When it requires technical work of a specialised kind, engage a specialist.
Is there exposure to --(safety hazards)? Structural hazards, electric shocks or explosive gas would need a professional.
Will this have a bearing on Cliff's trailing value in case it is not done correctly? In the case of work related to compliance or later resale value, one should go with a licensed professional.
Fast guide on judgement:
• Considering space, time and cost, Delta puts it this way: a small, quick, cheap handyman.
• Large, risky, regulated objects of focus at the specialist level
• Work on several minor tasks at a time → Handyman
• Needs an inspection or code compliance
This minimalist framework will aid you in making the right decision at the right time.
Cost and Time Consideration
The handyman rates tend to be time-based or per job and are often cheaper than specialists. Most companies, such as Serv Horizon, will have competitive packages that enable you to take multiple minor repairs at once, getting maximum value.
Experts, however, will justify their services with higher on-the-job costs because of their level of expertise, licensing, and insurance coverage. Although they cost more initially, they can save you the hassle of additional costly repairs in the future due to shoddy work, such as an electrical fire caused by poor wiring or a water damage problem caused by shoddy plumbing.
Example:
• A handyman may charge a flat rate to repair a tap, install some shelves and patch a wall during an afternoon.
• However, any work that concerns your breaker panel will go at a higher price but with the assurance of safety and regulations.
The bottom line is not who is the less expensive. It is all about selecting the right person in order to prevent some expensive errors in the future.
Conclusion
Handymen and specialists are both useful, and they excel at various points. Handymen are best suited to small, multipurpose, and low-cost projects, whereas specialists are necessary in the case of complex, dangerous and regulated projects.
Being aware of the scope of the project helps you to eliminate overspending, cut down delays, and keep your house in top shape. Serv Horizon offers easy access to vetted handyman services, which can take care of everyday needs, as well as connecting you with trusted expert specialists when it comes to the larger jobs.
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