Get matched with top handymen in Independence, LA

While handypeople do not need to be licensed in many places, you should only hire insured pros for any home improvement work. Your handyperson should have active liability coverage that protects them and you in the case of an error or accident. Furthermore, if they have employees on your property, they should also have workers’ compensation insurance. If you hire an individual or a company that is not insured and they damage your property, have an accident while on the job, or become injured on your property without insurance, you can be held financially liable.

It’s worth asking a handyperson a few questions before hiring to ensure they’re the right person for the job:

• Are you licensed and insured?

• Do you have any references?

• Will you provide a written estimate and contract?

• How much do you expect materials to cost?

• How long do you expect the project to take?

• Do you have any questions about the projects on my list?

• Do you provide a guarantee for the job?

The biggest benefit of hiring a handyperson over DIY is guaranteeing they’ll do the project correctly. This might save money in the long run and prevent future issues from arising. Hiring a handyperson also saves you the hassle of doing the job yourself. Finally, some projects pose safety risks, so hiring an experienced pro is much safer. 

If a contractor is in breach of your contract, sometimes it is possible to collect damages for unreasonable delays. However, such claims can be expensive and difficult to prove. If there’s a way to complete the work and maybe negotiate for a discount for some of the inconvenience, that might be a simpler and cheaper way to resolve any disputes.