by Gary Foreman

When it comes to hiring someone to come into your home to do work for you, quality of work and safety should be considered just as much as cost. Use these tips to find someone who is trustworthy, reliable and affordable.

Dear Gary,
Can you help me? I’m a single woman and live alone in my own home. I’ve learned how to do some minor repairs, but there are still some things like electrical and plumbing repairs that I’d like to have a professional do.

Here’s my problem. How do I know who to trust? Not only to do the job properly, but also not to rob me or put my safety at risk?
Jordan

You’re right. Being frugal doesn’t always mean doing the job yourself. Nor does it mean always choosing the lowest price. Quality of work and your safety should also be a consideration.

So how can you find someone who’s reliable, reasonable, and safe to allow into your home? Let’s see if we can’t find a way to make that do-it-yourself project a success!

How professional does your help need to be?

Begin by trying to determine how difficult the project is. Your answer will help you decide how professional your help needs to be.

Some repairs don’t require professional training or specialized tools. If you’ve done it once, you can do it again. But other jobs really require someone who solves those problems daily. So gear your search appropriately.

Related: Need Professional Help? Save Money with a Semi-Pro

Start with this group first

It’s obvious, but start by letting your friends know that you’re looking for help with an electrical project. Often that’s all you’ll need to do.

It’s possible that one of those friends is an avid do-it-yourselfer who might know more about your particular problem. Perhaps this person may even be willing to help you with the project or do it for you. You could choose to pay them or barter something that you could do for them.

Other useful places to look

If you don’t find appropriate help from friends and family, you’ll need to reach outside your circle. Look for safe places for referrals. For instance, churches or synagogues may be a good choice. Or consider local 55+ communities or assisted living facilities.

Also, check with your local senior center. Often they’ll know of a retired professional who still does a little side work or will have a list of people that they feel comfortable recommending.

Contact any local trade schools or technical institutes. Talk with an instructor. They may have students who could do the work for you, or they may moonlight themselves.

Realtors are another good source for referrals. They deal with a lot of homeowners who need to have work done, and the work must be done well, reasonably, and on time. Most will have a list of “go to” repair people that they call.

One popular online resource is Angi (formerly Angie’s List). It includes reviews from customers that you can view with a free membership. You can sign up for a paid Angi’s Key membership and receive 20% off of services.

Do your homework

Once you’ve identified a prospect or two, use the web to check them out before hiring anyone. Most counties have sites that list any open lawsuits and judgments. Obviously you don’t want to find your potential professional on the list.

Don’t put off repairs

Here are a couple of other thoughts to reduce the cost of home repairs. Don’t put off important repairs in an effort to save money. Some repairs, like roof or plumbing leaks, can do a lot of damage if left undone. Spend $200 today to avoid spending $1,500 next month.

Finally, think beyond your present project. For instance, if you hire a plumber for one toilet repair, have them check out your other bathroom, too. You may pay them for an extra half or full hour, but you could avoid having a larger problem later.

Jordan, congratulations on being willing to tackle some home repair projects yourself and also for being wise enough to know that not every repair is for the do-it-yourselfer. Some require a little professional help.

• Finding an Affordable Safe Handyman for Simple Repairs
• Should I Use a Reverse Mortgage for Home Maintenance?
• Should I Fix It Myself? Or Hire a Pro?
• How to Avoid a Plumber’s House Call
• Troubleshooting Simple Electrical Problems

Reviewed January 2023

About the Author

Gary Foreman is the former owner and editor of the After50Finances.com website and newsletters in 1996. He's the author of How to Conquer Debt No Matter How Much You Have and he's been featured in MSN Money, Yahoo Finance, Fox Business, The Nightly Business Report, US News Money, Credit.com and CreditCards.com.