Today's blog topic on relaying positive comments about our spouses kind of veered off into a handman discussion, so I am moving those comments to this "handyman" topic.
Comment Author dagma3 Comment Time 7 hours ago edit delete
On another note - what do you do to get your electronic stuff done now. It is too small to call someone - like hooking up the tv to the cable and VCR and sound system. I have read the directions and can't get far with it. He used to do it, but not now. I have several wires coming out of the back of my computer that aren't hooked to anything. Obviously I don't need them, but I would like someone to help me sort this issue out.
Comment Author marilyninMD Comment Time 7 hours ago edit delete
I found a good handyman, save up a list of things, and have him come over every couple of months. From my experience, they like you to give them what they call a day's work. He has done electronic stuff, minor electrical, painting, minor carpentry, changing filters, etc. All stuff S. used to do--seems weird to pay for it now, but at least there's no nagging involved!
Comment Author Vickie Comment Time7 hours ago edit delete
Marilynin, I too have a great handyman. I don't have to call him - he stops by at least once a week just to visit with DH! If I have anything for him to do, he will do it as soon as he can- he has a full time job with the county. He is wonderful and I don't know what I would do without him.
Comment Author marilyninMD Comment Time6 hours ago edit delete
On the handyman topic--someone mentioned on another thread that the downturn in the economy has resulted in an improvement in the quality/educational background of people seeking work as caregivers, attendants, companions,etc. I think this may also be true of people doing handyman work, it's just a matter of finding the right person.
Vickie--That once a week drop in is fabulous! I know I'm always running a list and I think you have the best setup.
I do keep a list - so I don't forget anything when he does come by (imagine that??) When he comes I disappear after a few minutes - for some down time by myself!
Comment Author briegull Comment Time 29 minutes ago edit delete
Check out Craig'slist in your vicinity. If you don't find a handyman for electronics doing your own search, post your needs, what you're willing to pay, and wait a day or two!
Thanks, Joan, for starting the thread on this. For me, the issue of getting the chores done that my husband used to do was a real problem; he was handy and could do most everything around the house. At first, I asked friends to do a few things, but saw that there is just too much on a continual basis that needs fixing. Hence, hiring someone to do all these "small" things was very foreign. Hopefully, this discussion will help others in the same position.
Like MrilyninMD's DH, mine also used to be able to fix anything and everything. You name it. He could fix it. When he could no longer do this work, things went from bad to worse around here. Here's what I did and it worked out just great for me.
I wrote out a 'to-do' list. Everything from replacing light bulbs that I couldn't reach, installing a new light fixture, fixing the doorbell, fixing the key-pad on the garage door, fixing a leaky faucet, fixing a running toilet, putting up two grab bars in the bathtub and so forth. There was a looooong list. I knew the man I wanted to hire. I showed him the list and asked him if he was interested. He was. His price was fair. He did the work. I paid him and that was that. It's great to have all that stuff done!
Now, I'm saving my $$. starting another 'to-do' list and put everything on it. When I get enough work to make it worth his while, I'll call him back.
It's worth thinking about. It's cheaper in the long run if you have enough to keep the handy-man busy for 2-3 hours.
Mawzy, I wish I had a man I could hire that did good work. My grandson can handle the light bulbs, and minor repairs, but there are some things beyond his abilities, and I don't want to hire a professional, so I keep asking friends who they use that I could get. So far, one did half of a job, left at the end of the day and didn't come back!
The fellow I hired is a professional. I'd heard about those half-jobs and never finishing the work. This man was between jobs and had a couple of days to do stuff for me. He charged $65 an hour for his services plus any materials he bought. It was a bit pricey but I trust this person in my home. We are both pretty vulnerable now days, so that was important.
I was wondering what the "going rate" for a handyman actually is. The guy I use seems to charge about $200 for a "day", which is about 4 hrs, plus materials. He does come from a little distance, so I thought maybe he's including travel time in his calculation. That seemed a little pricey to me, but is less than Mawzy's man.
the bad thing about being female and having to deal with all the repairs is unfortunately their are unscruprious repair persons who take advantage of us being women who need work done. not all, but alot of them. i usually call a company that does appliance repairs and we know how pricey that can get. i had one come out and just replace a faulty faucet for a new one and just charged as a repair which was refreshing. so many charge i feel cause we dont know what to expect. like car repairs !ugh!!! how are we to know what the car needs:)?? but we need the service so we pay out the kazoo. i do have a lawn guy who doubles as handyman for household small jobs. so its working out ok but it can get pricey too =divvi
It's the old question of "professional" vs. "neighborly". We've had the same plumber, who lives around the corner and down the block, for the last thirty years. I can trust him to answer my call, let himself in, fix whatever needs fixing, and mail a bill, without worrying for an instant that he would take advantage of us. But he's the only one I'd trust that way. He IS a professional, btw. A couple of years ago I did some kitchen renovations. I got Home Depot to send out the cabinet replacer (most of them stayed the same; I matched the wood color with a new sink cabinet and an island) and the counter replacer. I ordered the over-stove microwave and sink over the internet. And then found local people with good reputations to do the electric work, which led to the electrician's helper nephew doing the painting I'd expected to do; a local locksmith fixed the back door lock, a local tile company sent someone to do the backsplash, and my plumber came in to do the sink work. It all worked out well. No one was just a plain off-the-classified-ads "handyman." The one or two times I've used one of those, I've kinda gotten what I paid for: amateurish work, sloppiness.
Son in law lives nearby and is disabled but is able to do small jobs not over 2 hours. I pay him $15.00 an hour and he is pretty much on call when I need him, which is a lot. He is one of those rare people who can do everything including automotive. Prior to him I had a local retired plumber who I trust and could do anything around the house and he charged $15.00 an hour. When you get someone you like, hang on to him, they are few and far between.
I had my car at a dealership and they told me I needed a gasket replaced and would need x number of hours because they had to remove the engine, $75. an hour, total cost $650. I took it to a local muffler place and their price was $450.
Auto repair tip: Even before DH was dx'd, he was never a car person. I always took care of car repairs (thank goodness I did). Always get to know the service dept. people at your place of repair. Get on a first name basis with them. Take them donuts or goodies - not when you take your car in - but other times. Tell their boss what a good job they do (if they do). I have done this over the year no matter where we lived - and it has made my life easier.
My daughter travels a great deal. She bakes awesome cookies and gives them to the TSA guys at the airports and the travel center who makes her arrangements. Some of the security guys actually recognize her luggage in the major airports which amazes me. The corporate computer guru also receives cookies and she has his private cell # when her lap top goes nuts. She went on line and found the address of the people who helped me get good seating on the bus to the cruise ship-no cookies but a nice thankyou. I had my fractured leg in a splint and got a front seat. Being nice to people is a way of life for her.