Handyman

I previously left a good report for this handyman, and now I find that all was not as it seemed. Firstly, he charged me time and materials for everything. As we all know, that is the MOST expensive way to do things, rather than a quote for a job. I did ask for a quote per job, he always insisted it wouldn't take long. I have kept track of his time, each time he was here, and foolishly, I never checked until after he left this last time. I discovered he charged me for 1 1/2 hours when he left to go give someone an estimate. I went back over old bills and discovered that those times too, he charged me for time he was not here. Once for over an hour when he helped his parents whose car had broken down and another time when he went home to check his refrigerator. Further, upon closely inspecting his receipts, I found that I paid for his gatoraid and 5-hour energy shots, and this wasn't once, it was repeatedly. I live on a small fixed income and do without many things, I cannot afford to be buying him expensive drinks, and I certainly cannot afford to pay him $40 an hour for time he is doing other, personal things.
He was scheduled to return in early July, and although I have called a number of times, he only called back once, missed me and I have not heard from him again. The work he did in my kitchen, where he removed old lights and installed new lights, is not finished. He left a visible raw edge. He also got paint on my new lights. Further, I specifically requested he fill holes before painting, they were not filled. This was a problem in other areas too, where he just painted without first filling holes, and I pointed it out to him. I am not paying top dollar to have things look as if I had a non-professional do it.
One of the times he was here I gave him a small piece of wood I needed copied for my antique butcher's block. I repeatedly reminded him and he always forgot to bring it. I had planned to discuss his padded bill the next time he came, but as I said, now he doesn't call back. Since I have been unable to get him on the phone, I have given up and have emailed him four times requesting he drop off my piece of wood, since he doesn't live too far from me. No response, and no piece of wood. I guess I will now have to have two pieces of wood made.
I am very disappointed by what I discovered in terms of his billing and the turn of events, and I want my piece of wood returned to me. I have so much more to do in my newly purchased home and I wanted what he started, finished, and what was not done correctly, fixed. I had also planned to have him do some exterminating work for me since he told me he also works for an exterminator, but forget that too.
After what seemed like a good start, it has ended up with me angry, frustrated and very disappointed. Whereas he doesn't know my financial situation, that is no excuse. Everyone should be treated fairly. Pictures to follow.

They did the work.

He did a beautiful job. He was just excellent. I got a quote from him for painting only but then I had other things done, so he stuck by his estimate. He did excellent cabinet work and baseboards because I asked for it and then he painted and he put in laminated flooring for me. He did an incredible job. He also put in tiles in my bathroom. He made sure to get the plumber for me, have the job done, oversaw the whole thing for me and made sure it was done right, so that was great. He is dependable. He was there when he said he would be there. He worked hard and got the job done. I am kind of a picky because I am a decorator. His pricing is reasonable. He work is worth the price. He knows how to do everything. It is just such a rewarding experience when we know that we can trust someone because I wasn't there a lot. When I went there finally, I wasn't disappointed at all. My neighbors came out and said this is wonderful. I would recommend him to others. I am impressed with Angie's List, kudos to her. I think she has got topnotch people on the website. I read a couple of reviews and the comments happened to be true. I like the fact that people are honest and it seems like such a good organization that people feel free to be honest. About Darren, I just really want to say how professional he is and how dependable he is, I want to emphasize that and trustworthy. He is loyal to his customers.

Have used multiple times, we found our handman.

Worked here for three days, was reasonably careful with my belongings and cleaned up after himself after each job he completed. He did mostly decent work; he was able to modify my kitchen cabinet doors for the cabinet he modified for the microwave, and you can't even tell they were cut since he rerouted the grooves in the doors. All of his work was okay and he left my house clean. He is returning the week after next to do some more work for me. My one complaint is his attention to detail. He paints over areas without filling holes, despite my repeated requests that they be filled, he left an unfinished edge when he installed lights over my sink, I guess he thought I wouldn't notice. I don't like that he charges time and materials rather than by the job, as some very simple jobs have ended up costing me thousands of dollars, and I live on a very small fixed income.

After a very bad experience with another handyman, I joined Angie's List and I am usually more than pleased with the contractors I have hired from here.

I was very pleased with them. They were prompt. They gave us an estimate, and it was right on the money.

They were fantastic. I used them about 3 months ago. They were on time, did what I wanted them to do. He charged me what he said he was going to charge and he didn't ask for more than that. I would use them in the future.

he showed up early and finished the work without issue

We were pleased with them and I will use them again in the future

He was fantastic. He came and just did his job and did not linger or hang around. He was polite, and I have nothing bad to say about him. The price was quite reasonable. The job seems to be holding up; there is no leak in the roof. I would rate him highly and would definitely use him again in the future if necessary.

Darrin is the best! I trust no other Handyman!

They are excellent and their prices are fair. I will use them again in the future.

While he returned the initial phone calls and showed up to let us know if he could do the work, he never showed up to do the actual work. After a few calls back, he did return my call and said there had been a problem but he'd call in a few days. A week after the day he said he'd call us back on, he still had not. In the meantime, the sink remained leaking, the dresser remained with it's draws out and the fence remained without a gate support. We gave up and sent the furniture to Richard Farmer Furniture and started to look for another handyman.

They were very polite, courteous, and professional. However, their estimate was too high and I just couldn’t afford it. I am going with another service provider now.

Over the past year I have probably spent $3000 or more. He has painted our entire house, fixed multiple plumbing problems, installed wooden flooring in the bathroom, moved furniture, hung pictures, removed wallpaper, fixed our dryer, adjusted the temperature on the hot water heater, assembled furniture, repaired furniture, etc. The job listed above was just the most recent. He normally shows up around 8AM and leaves at 5. I normally buy him lunch when he's here all day.

Darren Martin does exceptional work! As a subcontractor, he always called in advance, arrived on time, performed great work, and always cleaned up after himself AS HE DID THE WORK, leaving everything spotless and in good order when he left for the day. Because of our experience with him, we asked Darren to do a number of other repairs and renovations. He has done electrical and plumbing work within his handyman license and has also done sheet rock, framing windows and doors, and other tasks. He listens to what you want to accomplish and then offers constructive ideas and solutions. The Brevard County Building Inspector commented the quality of Darren Martin's work. Our experience was so positive that we make available a key to our home and he is our first point of contact for any work we need done. Darren operates within the limits of his handyman license and knows individuals he trusts when the job calls for other licensed professionals. We could not ask for a more capable and professional "do it all" handyman. We recommend you call Darren Martin's HandyMan Company and know you will be as pleased as we are!!