Handymen and How They Make Money Off Their Low Prices

August 23, 2023

When you have a problem in your home, it is often extremely tempting to find the first handyman that comes around. After all, many of these individuals have the unique ability to suddenly be at your door, offering services just when you need them.

Have you ever heard the adage, “If it sounds too good to be true, it is?” This is definitely a phrase to remember when hiring someone to handle any type of repair job around your house.

Common Handyman Scams

There are countless handyman scams out there. A common one is the “right around the corner” scam. This is when a handyman shows up at your door having noticed a possible issue with your home. Their services are completely unsolicited. They may mention a few of your neighbor’s names or something else that makes you think they are legitimate. However, if they are just showing up at your door, this should be a huge red flag.

The fact is, in most cases, handymen like this aren’t licensed and they aren’t insured. If you let them on your property to do work, it is likely going to cost you much more than you bargained for in the long run.

The Low-Ball Scam

A scam that is also dangerous is when a handyman or even licensed technician offers an estimate that is significantly lower than any other service provider you have talked to.

In many cases, this low cost is appealing. After all, you think you can save a few bucks by going with the contractor who offered the lowest price. However, remember that old adage mentioned above? There are many ways that this situation may wind up, but none of them are good.

• Scenario 1: Take the Money and Run

In this situation, the handyman is going to request for you to make payment upfront. Since the cost is so low, you may not have a problem doing this. However, once they receive the money, you never see or talk to them again. This is an all-too-common scene. Don’t ever pay for handyman work before the work is actually done.

• Scenario 2: Subpar Work

The second common scenario is that the handyman does some work, but after they leave (with your money) you discover the problem is still there. They may even cause more issues while they are supposedly “working” on your home repair issue. In the long run, this is only going to cost you more in regard to time, money and hassle.

The Best Option

The absolute best option is to schedule your service with Hamilton for any type of home repair issue you may have. However, if you choose to go somewhere else, make sure to do your homework and find a licensed, insured and reputable contractor to handle the repairs.