There aren’t many contractors as flexible as a handyman, a catchall term for contractors who do a little of everything. From simple home repairs to major renovations, a talented handyman is like a one-man, all-in-one shop with almost everything you need.

That is an exaggeration, of course, but the fact remains that Staten Island’s talented, hard-working handymen are an essential part of what keeps things ticking. When you need good work done but don’t need a specialist, you need a Staten Island handyman.

There are many instances where homeowners require the talents of a skilled tradesman like a handyman.  Handymen can take care of a wide array of work, including:

Even if you can do the work yourself, there are often big benefits to hiring a handyman service in Staten Island. Here are some key reasons why you might want to make the call:

• Save You Time– Your time is valuable. You may have the talent and skills necessary to tackle that home improvement job, but do you have the time and willpower to do it? For many of us, the answer is no. Hiring an expert allows you to free up your time for other chores.

• Ease Your Stress– Let’s face it, doing home repairs on your own can be stressful. Having that stress lifted from your shoulders can be priceless!

• You Might Save Money– This may sound counterintuitive. How can hiring someone save you money? Consider the cost of tools you need for the job, research, fixing errors, and of course, the cost of your time – time is money, after all – and it may actually be cheaper to hire someone.

Whether it’s for home repairs, odd jobs, renovations, or other work, once you know you want to hire a Staten Island handyman, your next hurdle is choosing the right one.

There will be a lot of choices available to you, so making a decision may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Follow this advice and you’ll find the best handyman service in Staten Island.

• Seek Out Recommendations– There are many sources for opinions on contractors and handymen these days, but the best source will always be word of mouth. If you have a job that needs to be done at your home or business, ask friends. Ask family. As co-workers. A recommendation from someone you know is more valuable than a Yelp review!

• Check Reviews– The above advice doesn’t mean reviews are useless. They aren’t. Take the worst and best reviews with a grain of salt, then look for the overall tone of the comments both good and bad. This will help you decide who to call.

• Ask Direct Questions– Once you’ve decided on some prospects, give them a call, give them the details of your project, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. How are their work agreements structured? Do they work alone or do they have a crew? Are they licensed and do they carry insurance? What other kinds of jobs have they done? Can they provide references? Remember, it’s okay to ask questions!

• Ask for an In-Home Estimate– Don’t ask for pricing over the phone. Your handyman can give you a more accurate estimate if they see the work you’re asking them to do, so if requested, allow them to see the work site before they give you a quote.

• Check for Licenses and Insurance– a qualified handyman contractor in Staten Island should be licensed by the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs and have a General Liability and Workers Compensation insurance policy.  These qualifications are designed to protect property owners from faulty work and jobsite incidents.

• Get it in Writing– Remember to get your agreement in writing. This protects you, and just as importantly, it protects your contractor.

 When do you know it’s time to hire a Staten Island handyman? A few things will clue you in:

• The Work Surpasses Your Skills– Sometimes you think about a home improvement, renovation or repair and think you can tackle the job. Sometimes you even start doing it. Then the realization hits that it’s over your head. No shame in that! It simply means it’s time to hire someone.

• You Have No Free Time– Life gets busy. We understand that. And sometimes it’s so busy, you have no time to do needed work around the home, office, or yard. Time to call a handyman!

• You Are Getting Frustrated– Even the best of us can start to feel like we’re banging our heads against the wall when confronted with a tough repair or renovation job. In moments like that, save yourself the stress and call in an expert.

• You Need Repairs Done NOW– Sometimes, a home or business repair just can’t wait. When that’s the case, bringing in an expert who knows how to work quickly and efficiently is just what you need.

The image you have of handymen being an all-purpose, do-just-about-anything kind of contractor isn’t far from the truth. When you have a task in your home or workplace that needs attention you don’t necessarily need a specialist – many kinds of general renovations, repairs, maintenance, and projects apply – it’s time to find a talented Staten Island handyman and get that problem fixed once and for all.