What to Know Before Hiring a Home Service Provider in Sacramento

A home service provider is someone who may prove useful for interior or exterior light repair and maintenance jobs.

A home service provider is someone who may prove useful for interior or exterior light repair and maintenance jobs. If there are several smaller problems that a homeowner would rather not deal with, employing a home service provider is the ideal solution.

However, there are several things to consider before deciding which home service provider to call. This article will explain what specifics to look for when hiring a home service provider.

Finding a reliable home service provider

The best way to locate a reliable home service provider is to ask around for recommendations: contact friends and social network contacts, especially those who have recently had some work done to their homes. If they can recommend a home service provider who did the job well in their experience, the search is complete.

If not, check with neighborhood and referral sites, or even better, ask at a local hardware store for a recommendation. Whatever the situation, don't take offers from door-to-door handymen, as they are either not very good at the job or might even be trying to trick people.

Note that a home service provider in California does not require a license, but there are limitations to what kind of work they can perform. Find out if the job requires a permit. Also, remember that the total cost of the work, including the materials, is limited to $500.

There are several questions to ask the home service provider to ensure that they're the right person for the job.

Previous clients and references 

Ask for contact details of people the home service provider has previously worked for and call them to ask how satisfied they were. Lack of transparency will be an immediate red flag if the fixer is reluctant to share that information.

Estimated cost

Check if the home service provider charges by the hour or for the job in total. Provide them with a list of things they'll be working on and ask for an estimate. See if getting that estimate included in the contract is possible.

Work guarantee

Ask if there's a guarantee for the service. Serious, professional fixers will always guarantee to redo the job if something doesn't turn out right, and they may give a written statement regarding this offer.

Insurance

Hiring a home service provider insured for any job injuries is very beneficial since the homeowner may be liable for any potential harm. However, that liability could lead to further legal charges, so it's best to ensure the home service provider is insured.

Team job

If the service requires a team to perform it, ask the home service provider about potential additional charges and if other staff will be present during the job.

When deciding between several home services, don't be tempted to choose the one with the lowest price, especially if they're significantly cheaper than the others. Instead of starting with a big job, assign them a minor task first to see how they perform. 

Finally, be careful with money. Don't pay more than 10% of the job cost up front; if the home service provider needs expensive materials, the homeowner should buy them independently.

Clover Valley Home Service offers reliable service in plumbing, electrical, carpentry, baseboard and crown molding, sprinkler repair, fence repair or replacement, yard work and cleanup, and fire defense space preparation services. Our work is guaranteed. Call (916) 742-3141 today!

Previous
Previous

Renovating an Old Home vs. Buying New Construction

Next
Next

The Best Types of Flooring for Pets