Handyman: Difference between revisions
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A '''handyman''', increasingly known as a '''handyperson''' or '''handywoman''', is a person skilled at a wide range of repairs, typically around the home. These tasks include trade skills, repair work, | A '''handyman''', increasingly known as a '''handyperson''' or '''handywoman''', is a person skilled at a wide range of repairs, typically around the home. These tasks include trade skills, repair work, maintenance work, both interior and exterior, and are sometimes described as "odd jobs", "fix-up tasks", and include light plumbing jobs such as fixing a leaky toilet or light electric jobs such as changing a light fixture. | ||
==Handyman projects== | ==Handyman projects== | ||
The term ''handyman'' increasingly describes a paid worker, but it also includes non-paid homeowners or | The term ''handyman'' increasingly describes a paid worker, but it also includes non-paid homeowners or do-it-yourselfers. Tasks range from minor to major, from unskilled to highly skilled, and include painting, [[drywall]] repair, remodeling, minor plumbing work, minor electrical work, and furniture assembly (see more complete list below.) The term ''handyman'' is occasionally applied as an adjective to describe politicians or business leaders who make substantial organizational changes, such as overhauling a business structure or administrative division.<ref name=tws26oct34>{{cite news | ||
| author = PAUL LEWIS | | author = PAUL LEWIS | ||
| title = MAN IN THE NEWS; Diplomatic Handyman: Diego Cordovez | | title = MAN IN THE NEWS; Diplomatic Handyman: Diego Cordovez | ||
| Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
| accessdate = 2009-10-26 | | accessdate = 2009-10-26 | ||
}}</ref> In the past, handypersons have usually been men, and home repair tasks have been seen as a male-oriented activity, but ''handywomen'' are becoming more prevalent as well as women using the term ''handypersons'' to describe themselves. | }}</ref> In the past, handypersons have usually been men, and home repair tasks have been seen as a male-oriented activity, but ''handywomen'' are becoming more prevalent as well as women using the term ''handypersons'' to describe themselves. | ||
[[File:Mailbox built from particle board with hinges.jpg|thumb|right|alt=A white mailbox, attached to a wall|A handyman built this mailbox from particle board, with hinges, and exterior paint; the rounded edges were made with a sander]] | [[File:Mailbox built from particle board with hinges.jpg|thumb|right|alt=A white mailbox, attached to a wall|A handyman built this mailbox from particle board, with hinges, and exterior paint; the rounded edges were made with a sander]] | ||
Many people can do common household repairs. There are resources on the Internet, as well as | Many people can do common household repairs. There are resources on the Internet, as well as do-it-yourself guide books,<ref name=tws26oct22>{{cite news | ||
| author = LIESL SCHILLINGER | | author = LIESL SCHILLINGER | ||
| title = Fire the Handyman, Then Do It Yourself (book reviews) | | title = Fire the Handyman, Then Do It Yourself (book reviews) | ||
| Line 40: | Line 41: | ||
| url = http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/05/technology/online-shopper-220-for-two-hours-clocking-mr-fix-it.html | | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/05/technology/online-shopper-220-for-two-hours-clocking-mr-fix-it.html | ||
| accessdate = 2009-10-17 | | accessdate = 2009-10-17 | ||
}}</ref> A primary rule for all do-it-yourself repair work is | }}</ref> A primary rule for all do-it-yourself repair work is ''focus entirely on one thing at a time''.<ref name=tws01dec01>{{cite news | ||
| author = Anonymous plumber | | author = Anonymous plumber | ||
| title = Spoken advice | | title = Spoken advice | ||
| Line 49: | Line 50: | ||
}}</ref> For example, focus on getting a nail; then focus on hammering the nail; but don't try to do both tasks simultaneously. In this manner, injuries and mistakes are avoided. | }}</ref> For example, focus on getting a nail; then focus on hammering the nail; but don't try to do both tasks simultaneously. In this manner, injuries and mistakes are avoided. | ||
Generally the job of paid handyman is low status, a semi-skilled labor job. It's a less prestigious occupation than a specialist such as a plumber, electrician, or carpenter. At the same time, unpaid homeowners skilled at repairs are valued for saving money. The only full-time handymen who achieve recognition are ones who do something else better, such as being an artist or writer or charismatic religious figure such as [[Jesus Christ|Jesus]], (who was a | Generally the job of paid handyman is low status, a semi-skilled labor job. It's a less prestigious occupation than a specialist such as a plumber, electrician, or carpenter. At the same time, unpaid homeowners skilled at repairs are valued for saving money. The only full-time handymen who achieve recognition are ones who do something else better, such as being an artist or writer or charismatic religious figure such as [[Jesus Christ|Jesus]], (who was a carpenter).<ref name=tws26oct03/> And handyman tools sometimes become useful in different places: for example, when a proper [[Neurology|neurological drill]] was not available, an [[Australia]]n doctor used a handyman's drill in 2009 to open a hole in the head of a 13-year old boy to relieve pressure after a [[brain injury]]; the boy's life was saved.<ref name=tws26oct01>{{cite news | ||
| author = Steve Marshall (Australia) | | author = Steve Marshall (Australia) | ||
| title = Handyman drill saves blood-clot victim | | title = Handyman drill saves blood-clot victim | ||
| Line 57: | Line 58: | ||
| accessdate = 2009-12-08 | | accessdate = 2009-12-08 | ||
}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
[[File:Kitchen cabinets drawers installed.jpg|thumb|right|Picture of cabinets in a kitchen|Installing kitchen cabinets is a medium-level handyman job, with multiple steps, which competent handymen can do; consider hiring a specialist kitchen remodeler for a fancy kitchen.]] | [[File:Kitchen cabinets drawers installed.jpg|thumb|right|Picture of cabinets in a kitchen|Installing kitchen cabinets is a medium-level handyman job, with multiple steps, which competent handymen can do; consider hiring a specialist kitchen remodeler for a fancy kitchen.]] | ||
| Line 72: | Line 74: | ||
| accessdate = 2009-10-26 | | accessdate = 2009-10-26 | ||
}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
[[File:Porch railings floorboard substructure moldings columns.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Picture of a porch, including a railing, and columns|This entire porch was rebuilt by a handyman, including the substructure, columns, railings (1x1s and moldings), and door surrounds; replacing a porch is a difficult project for amateurs.]] | [[File:Porch railings floorboard substructure moldings columns.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Picture of a porch, including a railing, and columns|This entire porch was rebuilt by a handyman, including the substructure, columns, railings (1x1s and moldings), and door surrounds; replacing a porch is a difficult project for amateurs.]] | ||
===Franchise businesses=== | ===Franchise businesses=== | ||
In 2009, there were national handyman service firms which handle such nationwide tasks as | In 2009, there were national handyman service firms which handle such nationwide tasks as public relations, [[marketing]], [[advertising]], and signage, but sell specific territories to franchise owners. A franchise contract typically gives a franchise owner the exclusive right to take service calls within a given geographical area. The websites of these firms put possible customers in touch with local owners, which have handypersons and trucks. Customers call the local numbers. Typically these firms charge around $100/hour, although fees vary by locality and time of year. In many parts of the world, there are professional handyman firms that do small home or commercial projects which claim possible advantages such as having workers who are insured and licensed. Their branch offices schedule service appointments for full-time and part-time handymen to visit and make repairs, and sometimes coordinate with sub-contractors. | ||
One | One Lehman Brothers executive, after being let go from the Wall Street firm, bought a [[Union, New Jersey]] franchise from a national handyman firm.<ref name=tws17oct03>{{cite news | ||
| author = Deborah L. Cohen | | author = Deborah L. Cohen | ||
| title = Franchising heats up as economy cools down | | title = Franchising heats up as economy cools down | ||
| Line 85: | Line 88: | ||
| accessdate = 2009-10-17 | | accessdate = 2009-10-17 | ||
}}</ref> A franchise was approximately $110,000 with a franchise fee of $14,900, according to a spokesperson for a national handyman franchise.<ref name=tws17oct03/> | }}</ref> A franchise was approximately $110,000 with a franchise fee of $14,900, according to a spokesperson for a national handyman franchise.<ref name=tws17oct03/> | ||
[[File:Bathroom ceiling with vent.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Picture of a bathroom ceiling, with a vent, light, and the top of a shower in the background|A handyman built the roof beams (above the drywall, not shown), based on advice from local city inspectors; later, he installed the drywall; a plumber installed pipes and the shower.]] | [[File:Bathroom ceiling with vent.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Picture of a bathroom ceiling, with a vent, light, and the top of a shower in the background|A handyman built the roof beams (above the drywall, not shown), based on advice from local city inspectors; later, he installed the drywall; a plumber installed pipes and the shower.]] | ||
Some see a benefit of franchising as "entrepreneurship under the safety net of a tried-and-true business umbrella"<ref name=tws17oct03/> but forecast a 1.2 percent decrease in franchise businesses during the 2008-2009 recession.<ref name=tws17oct03/> In 2005, according to a survey released by the Washington-based | Some see a benefit of franchising as "entrepreneurship under the safety net of a tried-and-true business umbrella"<ref name=tws17oct03/> but forecast a 1.2 percent decrease in franchise businesses during the 2008-2009 recession.<ref name=tws17oct03/> In 2005, according to a survey released by the Washington-based International Franchise Association showed 909,000 franchised establishments in the [[United States]] employing some 11 million people.<ref name=tws17oct03/> Franchises offer training, [[advertising]] and information technology support, lower procurement costs and access to a network of established operators.<ref name=tws17oct03/> | ||
Franchise handyman firms sometimes pitch clients by asking prospective customers about their unresolved "to-do lists."<ref name=tws17oct02/> The firm does odd jobs, | Franchise handyman firms sometimes pitch clients by asking prospective customers about their unresolved "to-do lists."<ref name=tws17oct02/> The firm does odd jobs, carpentry, and repairs.<ref name=tws17oct02>{{cite news | ||
| author = PAULA GANZI LICATA | | author = PAULA GANZI LICATA | ||
| title = WHERE WE LIVE; They Make House Calls: The Range of Services Grows | | title = WHERE WE LIVE; They Make House Calls: The Range of Services Grows | ||
| Line 118: | Line 122: | ||
[[File:Bathroom wall with 2x4s and sheetrocked.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Picture of a bathroom wall|A handyman built this bathroom wall using two-by-four boards; after electricians added the wires, metal plates were put on studs to prevent nails and screws (to hold drywall) from going into electric wires; a handyman added the drywall.]] | [[File:Bathroom wall with 2x4s and sheetrocked.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Picture of a bathroom wall|A handyman built this bathroom wall using two-by-four boards; after electricians added the wires, metal plates were put on studs to prevent nails and screws (to hold drywall) from going into electric wires; a handyman added the drywall.]] | ||
Other competitors include online referral services.<ref name=tws17oct04/> In addition, some large home centers offer installation services for products such as cabinets and carpet installation.<ref name=tws17oct02/> Sometimes homeowners contact a professional service after trying, but failing, to do repair work themselves; in one instance, a [[Minneapolis, Minnesota|Minneapolis]] homeowner attempted a project but called a technician to finish the project, and the overall cost was substantial.<ref name=tws17oct05>{{cite news | Other competitors include online referral services.<ref name=tws17oct04/> In addition, some large home centers offer installation services for products such as cabinets and carpet installation.<ref name=tws17oct02/> Sometimes homeowners contact a professional service after trying, but failing, to do repair work themselves; in one instance, a [[Minneapolis, Minnesota|Minneapolis]] homeowner attempted a project but called a technician to finish the project, and the overall cost was substantial.<ref name=tws17oct05>{{cite news | ||
| author = SUSAN SAULNY | | author = SUSAN SAULNY | ||
| Line 128: | Line 133: | ||
===Assessment of Handyman Options=== | ===Assessment of Handyman Options=== | ||
How well do the franchise chains perform? One [[Wall Street Journal]] reporting team did an informal assessment by hiring "handymen all over the country and asked them to fix a wide range of problems, from a relatively routine leaky faucet to a sticky door."<ref name=tws26oct20>{{cite news | How well do the franchise chains perform? One ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' reporting team did an informal assessment by hiring "handymen all over the country and asked them to fix a wide range of problems, from a relatively routine leaky faucet to a sticky door."<ref name=tws26oct20>{{cite news | ||
| author = Danielle Reed | | author = Danielle Reed | ||
| title = Chains Take a Stab | | title = Chains Take a Stab | ||
| Line 136: | Line 141: | ||
| url = http://homes.wsj.com/buildimprove/20030429-reed.html | | url = http://homes.wsj.com/buildimprove/20030429-reed.html | ||
| accessdate = 2009-10-26 | | accessdate = 2009-10-26 | ||
}}</ref> The reporter concluded that "with few licensing requirements and standards for the industry, prices are all over the board."<ref name=tws26oct20/> One quote was ten times as large as another.<ref name=tws26oct20/> Further, the reporter concluded "A big corporate name is no guarantee of quality or speedy service."<ref name=tws26oct20/> One corporate firm took three weeks to fix a stuck door.<ref name=tws26oct20/> Service varied from spotty to good, with complaints about unreturned phone calls, service people standing on dining room chairs, leaving holes between wood planking, but liked getting multiple jobs done instead of just one.<ref name=tws26oct20/> Customers liked handymen wearing hospital booties (to avoid tracking dirt in houses).<ref name=tws26oct20/> The reporter chronicled one experience with repairing a water-damaged ceiling. A franchise firm fixed it for $1,530; a second (non-franchise local handyman) fixed a similar ceiling for $125.<ref name=tws26oct20/> The reporter prefered the second worker, despite the fact that he "doesn't have a fancy van -- or carry proof of insurance."<ref name=tws26oct20/> Tips for selecting a good handyman include: ask questions, get written estimates on company stationery, make sure handymen guarantee their work, pay with | }}</ref> The reporter concluded that "with few licensing requirements and standards for the industry, prices are all over the board."<ref name=tws26oct20/> One quote was ten times as large as another.<ref name=tws26oct20/> Further, the reporter concluded "A big corporate name is no guarantee of quality or speedy service."<ref name=tws26oct20/> One corporate firm took three weeks to fix a stuck door.<ref name=tws26oct20/> Service varied from spotty to good, with complaints about unreturned phone calls, service people standing on dining room chairs, leaving holes between wood planking, but liked getting multiple jobs done instead of just one.<ref name=tws26oct20/> Customers liked handymen wearing hospital booties (to avoid tracking dirt in houses).<ref name=tws26oct20/> The reporter chronicled one experience with repairing a water-damaged ceiling. A franchise firm fixed it for $1,530; a second (non-franchise local handyman) fixed a similar ceiling for $125.<ref name=tws26oct20/> The reporter prefered the second worker, despite the fact that he "doesn't have a fancy van -- or carry proof of insurance."<ref name=tws26oct20/> Tips for selecting a good handyman include: ask questions, get written estimates on company stationery, make sure handymen guarantee their work, pay with credit cards or checks because this provides an additional record of each transaction, check references and licenses, and review feedback about the contractors from Internet sites.<ref name=tws26oct02>{{cite news | ||
| author = Joel Bell | | author = Joel Bell | ||
| title = The Nuts and Bolts of Choosing a Handyman | | title = The Nuts and Bolts of Choosing a Handyman | ||
| Line 144: | Line 149: | ||
| accessdate = 2009-10-26 | | accessdate = 2009-10-26 | ||
}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
[[File:Tiling in kitchen above stove and countertop.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Picture of tiles above a kitchen stove|Tiling is another medium-level handyman job which most homeowners can do successfully, provided they follow directions carefully.]] | [[File:Tiling in kitchen above stove and countertop.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Picture of tiles above a kitchen stove|Tiling is another medium-level handyman job which most homeowners can do successfully, provided they follow directions carefully.]] | ||
==Legal issues== | ==Legal issues== | ||
Generally, in the [[United States]], there are few legal issues if an unpaid homeowner works on a project within their own home, with some exceptions. Some jurisdictions require paid handypeople to be | Generally, in the [[United States]], there are few legal issues if an unpaid homeowner works on a project within their own home, with some exceptions. Some jurisdictions require paid handypeople to be licensed and/or insured. [[New Jersey]], for example, requires all handymen who work in for-profit businesses serving residential and commercial customers, to be registered and insured.<ref name=tws27oct101>{{cite news | ||
| title = Starting a Business in NJ | | title = Starting a Business in NJ | ||
| publisher = State of New Jersey: Department of the Treasury | | publisher = State of New Jersey: Department of the Treasury | ||
| Line 153: | Line 159: | ||
| url = http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/br1.shtml | | url = http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/br1.shtml | ||
| accessdate = 2009-10-27 | | accessdate = 2009-10-27 | ||
}}</ref> Often handymen are barred from major | }}</ref> Often handymen are barred from major plumbing, electrical wiring, or gas-fitting projects for safety reasons, and authorities sometimes require workers to be licensed in particular trades. However, minor plumbing work such as fixing water taps, connecting sinks, fixing leaks, or installing new washing machines, are usually permitted to be done without licensing. Many handymen are insured under a property damage liability policy, so that accidental property damage from negligence or accidents are covered. | ||
==Handymen in popular culture== | ==Handymen in popular culture== | ||
The handyman image recurs in popular culture. There have been songs about handymen recorded by [[Elvis Presley]] in 1964, | The handyman image recurs in popular culture. There have been songs about handymen recorded by [[Elvis Presley]] in 1964, Del Shannon in 1964, James Taylor in 1977.<ref name=tws26oct05>{{cite news | ||
| author = BEN SISARIO | | author = BEN SISARIO | ||
| title = Lost Elvis Song Turns Up | | title = Lost Elvis Song Turns Up | ||
| Line 170: | Line 176: | ||
| url = http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/05/index.html | | url = http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/05/index.html | ||
| accessdate = 2009-10-26 | | accessdate = 2009-10-26 | ||
}}</ref> Handymen have been portrayed in books and films, generally positively, as do-gooder helpful types, but not particularly smart or ambitious. In a book by author | }}</ref> Handymen have been portrayed in books and films, generally positively, as do-gooder helpful types, but not particularly smart or ambitious. In a book by author Carolyn See called ''The Handyman'', a handyman is really an aspiring but discouraged artist who transforms the lives of people he works for, as well as sleeping with some of his clients, and his experiences improve his artistic output.<ref name=tws26oct03>{{cite news | ||
| author = ELIZABETH GLEICK | | author = ELIZABETH GLEICK | ||
| title = Books: The Handyman By Carolyn See | | title = Books: The Handyman By Carolyn See | ||
| Line 184: | Line 190: | ||
| url = http://www.nytimes.com/books/99/03/21/reviews/990321.21mccullt.html | | url = http://www.nytimes.com/books/99/03/21/reviews/990321.21mccullt.html | ||
| accessdate = 2009-10-26 | | accessdate = 2009-10-26 | ||
}}</ref> A 1980 movie called ''The Handyman'' was about a carpenter-plumber who was "good at what he does" but is "too honest and trusting", and gets taken advantage of by "women who find him handsome and understanding;" the movie earned negative reviews from critic | }}</ref> A 1980 movie called ''The Handyman'' was about a carpenter-plumber who was "good at what he does" but is "too honest and trusting", and gets taken advantage of by "women who find him handsome and understanding;" the movie earned negative reviews from critic Vincent Canby.<ref name=tws26oct13>{{cite news | ||
| author = Vincent Canby | | author = Vincent Canby | ||
| title = Movie Review -- The Handyman (1980) | | title = Movie Review -- The Handyman (1980) | ||
| Line 197: | Line 203: | ||
| url = http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/145643/The-Ups-and-Downs-of-a-Handyman/overview | | url = http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/145643/The-Ups-and-Downs-of-a-Handyman/overview | ||
| accessdate = 2009-10-26 | | accessdate = 2009-10-26 | ||
}}</ref> In [[Canada]], there's a television show called | }}</ref> In [[Canada]], there's a television show called Canada's Worst Handyman which is a reality-show in which contestants work hard ''not'' to become labeled as the ''worst handyman''. Home Improvement was an American television sitcom starring Tim Allen, which aired 1991 to 1999. | ||
==List of handyman jobs== | ==List of handyman jobs== | ||
The list of projects which handymen can do is extensive, and varies from easy-to-learn tasks which take little time such as changing a light bulb, to extensive projects which require multiple steps, such as kitchen remodeling. Here is a partial list: | The list of projects which handymen can do is extensive, and varies from easy-to-learn tasks which take little time such as changing a light bulb, to extensive projects which require multiple steps, such as kitchen remodeling. Here is a partial list: | ||
* Air conditioner installation | * Air conditioner installation | ||
* Appraising of property | * Appraising of property | ||
| Line 231: | Line 235: | ||
* Flooring Installation and Repair | * Flooring Installation and Repair | ||
* Foundations | * Foundations | ||
* Framing | * Framing | ||
* Garage door openers | * Garage door openers | ||
| Line 259: | Line 262: | ||
* Remodeling basements | * Remodeling basements | ||
* Remodeling bathrooms | * Remodeling bathrooms | ||
* Remodeling kitchens | * Remodeling kitchens | ||
* Safety modifications | * Safety modifications | ||
| Line 287: | Line 289: | ||
* Window installation | * Window installation | ||
* Window repair | * Window repair | ||
Note: this is a partial list | Note: this is a partial list | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist|2}} | {{reflist|2}} | ||
Revision as of 20:14, 19 February 2010
A handyman, increasingly known as a handyperson or handywoman, is a person skilled at a wide range of repairs, typically around the home. These tasks include trade skills, repair work, maintenance work, both interior and exterior, and are sometimes described as "odd jobs", "fix-up tasks", and include light plumbing jobs such as fixing a leaky toilet or light electric jobs such as changing a light fixture.
Handyman projects
The term handyman increasingly describes a paid worker, but it also includes non-paid homeowners or do-it-yourselfers. Tasks range from minor to major, from unskilled to highly skilled, and include painting, drywall repair, remodeling, minor plumbing work, minor electrical work, and furniture assembly (see more complete list below.) The term handyman is occasionally applied as an adjective to describe politicians or business leaders who make substantial organizational changes, such as overhauling a business structure or administrative division.[1][2] In the past, handypersons have usually been men, and home repair tasks have been seen as a male-oriented activity, but handywomen are becoming more prevalent as well as women using the term handypersons to describe themselves.
Many people can do common household repairs. There are resources on the Internet, as well as do-it-yourself guide books,[3] with instructions about how to complete a wide range of projects. Sometimes the fix-it skill is seen as genetic, and people lacking such skills are said to "lack the handy-man gene."[4] One trend is that fewer homeowners are inclined to do fix-up jobs, perhaps because of time constraints, perhaps because of lack of interest; one reporter commented "my family's fix-it gene petered out before it reached my generation."[5] A primary rule for all do-it-yourself repair work is focus entirely on one thing at a time.[6] For example, focus on getting a nail; then focus on hammering the nail; but don't try to do both tasks simultaneously. In this manner, injuries and mistakes are avoided.
Generally the job of paid handyman is low status, a semi-skilled labor job. It's a less prestigious occupation than a specialist such as a plumber, electrician, or carpenter. At the same time, unpaid homeowners skilled at repairs are valued for saving money. The only full-time handymen who achieve recognition are ones who do something else better, such as being an artist or writer or charismatic religious figure such as Jesus, (who was a carpenter).[7] And handyman tools sometimes become useful in different places: for example, when a proper neurological drill was not available, an Australian doctor used a handyman's drill in 2009 to open a hole in the head of a 13-year old boy to relieve pressure after a brain injury; the boy's life was saved.[8]
Handyman businesses
Market estimates
An estimate was that in 2003, the market for home-maintenance and repair spending was up 14% from 2001 to 2003.[9] Another estimate was that the market in the United States was $126 billion and was increasing by about 4% annually.[5] American homes are aging; one estimate was that in 2007, more than half of all homes are older than 25 years.[9] And, as populations worldwide tend to become older, on average, and since increasingly elderly people will be less inclined and able to maintain their homes, it is likely that demand for handyman services will grow.
Independent operators
Many towns have handymen who work part-time, for friends or family or neighbors, who are skilled in a variety of tasks. Sometimes they advertise in newspapers or online. They vary in quality, professionalism, skill level, and price. Contractors often criticize the work of previous contractors, and this practice is not limited to handymen, but to all trades.[10]
Franchise businesses
In 2009, there were national handyman service firms which handle such nationwide tasks as public relations, marketing, advertising, and signage, but sell specific territories to franchise owners. A franchise contract typically gives a franchise owner the exclusive right to take service calls within a given geographical area. The websites of these firms put possible customers in touch with local owners, which have handypersons and trucks. Customers call the local numbers. Typically these firms charge around $100/hour, although fees vary by locality and time of year. In many parts of the world, there are professional handyman firms that do small home or commercial projects which claim possible advantages such as having workers who are insured and licensed. Their branch offices schedule service appointments for full-time and part-time handymen to visit and make repairs, and sometimes coordinate with sub-contractors.
One Lehman Brothers executive, after being let go from the Wall Street firm, bought a Union, New Jersey franchise from a national handyman firm.[11] A franchise was approximately $110,000 with a franchise fee of $14,900, according to a spokesperson for a national handyman franchise.[11]
Some see a benefit of franchising as "entrepreneurship under the safety net of a tried-and-true business umbrella"[11] but forecast a 1.2 percent decrease in franchise businesses during the 2008-2009 recession.[11] In 2005, according to a survey released by the Washington-based International Franchise Association showed 909,000 franchised establishments in the United States employing some 11 million people.[11] Franchises offer training, advertising and information technology support, lower procurement costs and access to a network of established operators.[11]
Franchise handyman firms sometimes pitch clients by asking prospective customers about their unresolved "to-do lists."[12] The firm does odd jobs, carpentry, and repairs.[12] Trends such as a "poverty of time" and a "glut of unhandy husbands" has spurred the business.[12] Technicians do a range of services including tile work, painting, and wallpapering.[12] One firm charges $88 per hour.[12] The firm targets a work category which full-fledged remodelers and contractors find unprofitable.[12] A consumer was quoted by a reporter explaining the decision to hire one firm: "'I couldn't find anyone to come in and help me because the jobs were too small', said Meg Beck of Huntington, who needed some painting and carpentry done. She turned to one franchise firm and said she liked the fact that the service has well-marked trucks and uniformed technicians and that a dispatcher called with the names of the crew before they showed up."[12] There are indications that these businesses are growing.[12] There are different firms operating.[13][14][9][15]
Other competitors include online referral services.[5] In addition, some large home centers offer installation services for products such as cabinets and carpet installation.[12] Sometimes homeowners contact a professional service after trying, but failing, to do repair work themselves; in one instance, a Minneapolis homeowner attempted a project but called a technician to finish the project, and the overall cost was substantial.[16]
Assessment of Handyman Options
How well do the franchise chains perform? One Wall Street Journal reporting team did an informal assessment by hiring "handymen all over the country and asked them to fix a wide range of problems, from a relatively routine leaky faucet to a sticky door."[9] The reporter concluded that "with few licensing requirements and standards for the industry, prices are all over the board."[9] One quote was ten times as large as another.[9] Further, the reporter concluded "A big corporate name is no guarantee of quality or speedy service."[9] One corporate firm took three weeks to fix a stuck door.[9] Service varied from spotty to good, with complaints about unreturned phone calls, service people standing on dining room chairs, leaving holes between wood planking, but liked getting multiple jobs done instead of just one.[9] Customers liked handymen wearing hospital booties (to avoid tracking dirt in houses).[9] The reporter chronicled one experience with repairing a water-damaged ceiling. A franchise firm fixed it for $1,530; a second (non-franchise local handyman) fixed a similar ceiling for $125.[9] The reporter prefered the second worker, despite the fact that he "doesn't have a fancy van -- or carry proof of insurance."[9] Tips for selecting a good handyman include: ask questions, get written estimates on company stationery, make sure handymen guarantee their work, pay with credit cards or checks because this provides an additional record of each transaction, check references and licenses, and review feedback about the contractors from Internet sites.[17]
Legal issues
Generally, in the United States, there are few legal issues if an unpaid homeowner works on a project within their own home, with some exceptions. Some jurisdictions require paid handypeople to be licensed and/or insured. New Jersey, for example, requires all handymen who work in for-profit businesses serving residential and commercial customers, to be registered and insured.[18] Often handymen are barred from major plumbing, electrical wiring, or gas-fitting projects for safety reasons, and authorities sometimes require workers to be licensed in particular trades. However, minor plumbing work such as fixing water taps, connecting sinks, fixing leaks, or installing new washing machines, are usually permitted to be done without licensing. Many handymen are insured under a property damage liability policy, so that accidental property damage from negligence or accidents are covered.
Handymen in popular culture
The handyman image recurs in popular culture. There have been songs about handymen recorded by Elvis Presley in 1964, Del Shannon in 1964, James Taylor in 1977.[19] There are femme-fatale TV characters who fall for handymen.[20] Handymen have been portrayed in books and films, generally positively, as do-gooder helpful types, but not particularly smart or ambitious. In a book by author Carolyn See called The Handyman, a handyman is really an aspiring but discouraged artist who transforms the lives of people he works for, as well as sleeping with some of his clients, and his experiences improve his artistic output.[7] The book suggests handymen discover "the appalling loneliness of the women who call him for help" whose needs are sometimes "comic," sometimes "heartbreaking," and deep down "sexual."[21] A 1980 movie called The Handyman was about a carpenter-plumber who was "good at what he does" but is "too honest and trusting", and gets taken advantage of by "women who find him handsome and understanding;" the movie earned negative reviews from critic Vincent Canby.[22] Other movies have used a rather tired formula of sexy-handyman meets bored-housewives, such as The Ups and Downs of a Handyman, a 1975 movie in which "Handsome Bob also finds he's a fast favorite with the local housewives, who seem to have more than small repairs on their minds."[23] In Canada, there's a television show called Canada's Worst Handyman which is a reality-show in which contestants work hard not to become labeled as the worst handyman. Home Improvement was an American television sitcom starring Tim Allen, which aired 1991 to 1999.
List of handyman jobs
The list of projects which handymen can do is extensive, and varies from easy-to-learn tasks which take little time such as changing a light bulb, to extensive projects which require multiple steps, such as kitchen remodeling. Here is a partial list:
- Air conditioner installation
- Appraising of property
- Barbecue pit maintenance
- Cabinet refacing
- Carpentry
- Ceiling repair
- Ceramic tile repair
- Cleaning
- Concrete work
- Countertops
- Curtain hanging
- Decks
- Door installation
- Door repair
- Drain cleaning
- Dryer repair
- Dryer vent cleaning
- Dryer vent installation
- Drywall Installation
- Drywall repair
- Electrical wiring
- Energy Updates
- Fan installation
- Fence fixing
- Fireplace cleaning
- Flooring Installation and Repair
- Foundations
- Framing
- Garage door openers
- Garage doors
- General Maintenance
- Gutter Cleaning
- Gutter Repair
- Heating system tune-up
- Home inspections
- Home security systems
- Hot tubs and spas
- Insulation installation (batts)
- Insulation installation (blown-in)
- Lamp repairs
- Landscaping
- Lawncare
- Lockset adjustment
- Molding installation
- Moving
- Paint removal
- Painting
- Patio stone installation
- Pest control
- Photography
- Plumbing repairs
- Porches
- Remodeling basements
- Remodeling bathrooms
- Remodeling kitchens
- Safety modifications
- Sealing driveways
- Senior Living Modifications
- Septic system repair
- Shelf installation
- Shelving
- Skylight installation
- Solar panels
- Soundproofing
- Sprinkler repair
- Sprinkler system installation
- Stain removal
- Staining furniture
- Stone work
- Storage area construction
- Storage area repair
- Swapping a toilet
- Swimming pool maintenance
- Tiling
- Wall building
- Waste and junk removal
- Water purification
- Water softening
- Window cleaning
- Window installation
- Window repair
Note: this is a partial list
See also
References
- ↑ PAUL LEWIS. MAN IN THE NEWS; Diplomatic Handyman: Diego Cordovez, New York Times, April 16, 1988. Retrieved on 2009-10-26.
- ↑ Religion: Handyman to Washington, Time Magazine, Apr. 13, 1936. Retrieved on 2009-10-26.
- ↑ LIESL SCHILLINGER. Fire the Handyman, Then Do It Yourself (book reviews), New York Times: Fashion & Style, November 27, 2005. Retrieved on 2009-10-26. “HELP, IT'S BROKEN! A Fix-It Bible for the Repair-Impaired. By Arianne Cohen; READYMADE: How to Make (Almost) Everything: A Do-It-Yourself Primer. By Shoshana Berger and Grace Hawthorne.”
- ↑ Kim O'Donnel. The Case of the Kitchen Barrel Nuts, Washington Post, March 26, 2007. Retrieved on 2009-10-26.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Michelle Slatalla. ONLINE SHOPPER; $220 for Two Hours? Clocking Mr. Fix-It, New York Times, August 5, 2004. Retrieved on 2009-10-17.
- ↑ Anonymous plumber. "Spoken advice", 'Anonymous plumber', 2007. Retrieved on 2009-12-01. “A plumber told me once to ONLY focus on one thing at a time; this was the cardinal rule of all repairwork he said; trying to do two things simultaneously leads to problems, mistakes, injuries.”
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 ELIZABETH GLEICK. Books: The Handyman By Carolyn See, Time Magazine, Apr. 12, 1999. Retrieved on 2009-10-26.
- ↑ Steve Marshall (Australia). Handyman drill saves blood-clot victim, USA Today, May 20, 2009. Retrieved on 2009-12-08.
- ↑ 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 9.10 9.11 Danielle Reed. [http://homes.wsj.com/buildimprove/20030429-reed.html Chains Take a Stab At Handyman Work], Wall Street Journal, April 29, 2003. Retrieved on 2009-10-26.
- ↑ Who Did This To You?, New York Times: Opinion, May 7, 2006. Retrieved on 2009-10-26. “the house painter who said that the prep work and the power washing our handyman had done would have to be done all over again; the handyman who regularly announced that none of those we had engaged (except his uncle) knew what they were doing”
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 Deborah L. Cohen. Franchising heats up as economy cools down, Reuters, Feb 24, 2009. Retrieved on 2009-10-17.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 12.8 PAULA GANZI LICATA. WHERE WE LIVE; They Make House Calls: The Range of Services Grows, New York Times, April 3, 2005. Retrieved on 2009-10-17.
- ↑ Handyman Matters., Handyman Matters website, 2009-10-26. Retrieved on 2009-10-26.
- ↑ Mr. Handyman, Mr. Handyman website, 2009-10-26. Retrieved on 2009-10-26.
- ↑ Jayne O'Donnell. Rent-A-Husband handyman service raises questions, USA TODAY, 2009-10-21. Retrieved on 2009-10-26.
- ↑ SUSAN SAULNY. Even to Save Cash, Don’t Try This Stuff at Home, New York Times, May 16, 2009. Retrieved on 2009-10-17.
- ↑ Joel Bell. The Nuts and Bolts of Choosing a Handyman, Reuters, Sep 9, 2009. Retrieved on 2009-10-26.
- ↑ Starting a Business in NJ, State of New Jersey: Department of the Treasury, 2008-11-11. Retrieved on 2009-10-27.
- ↑ BEN SISARIO. Lost Elvis Song Turns Up, New York Times, August 21, 2003. Retrieved on 2009-10-26.
- ↑ Mary McNamara. Review: 'Maneater' -- Jennifer (Marla Sokoloff), the sweet-faced rich girl who has the hots for her handyman., Los Angeles Times, May 29, 2009. Retrieved on 2009-10-26.
- ↑ DAVID WILLIS McCULLOUGH. Home Improvement -- Carolyn See's handyman hero can manage the tasks that matter most., New York Times: Books, March 21, 1999. Retrieved on 2009-10-26.
- ↑ Vincent Canby. Movie Review -- The Handyman (1980), New York Times, September 27, 1980. Retrieved on 2009-10-26.
- ↑ The Ups and Downs of a Handyman (1975) movie review; alternate title: The Happy Housewives, New York Times, 1975. Retrieved on 2009-10-26.