The best DIY services in 2023 (2023)

Those who own a home know that it needs various repairs, updates and maintenance. While there are occasional free weekends to take care of some of these tasks on your own, this to-do list can quickly get out of hand. Sometimes the best solution is to delegate these tasks to professionals. A good handyman can handle a variety of tasks, from painting a room to assembling furniture to installing a new lamp.

While you can hire a handyman from a local company, the best nationwide DIY service offers reliability, high availability, and excellent customer service. The best DIY services will fulfill their work with guarantees that last up to one year after completion. Before you start looking for the "best handyman," check out this guide to see what to look for and check out some of the best DIY services.

1. BEST OVERALL: Sr. manitas
2. runner-up: Ace Handyman Services
3. BEST ONLINE BOOKING: Practical
4. ALSO CONSIDER: handyman connection

What to consider when choosing one of the best DIY services

While browsing the web fordiy Services,Several factors must be considered, including service area, hours, services offered, and customer service. Learn more about these and other important factors.

Service area and hours

The first step in choosing a home improvement service is to find one that serves the area where the customer lives. While most domestic home improvement companies have locations fairly evenly spread across the United States, that's not necessarily the case in every city and town. Most services have an online locator tool that allows homeowners or renters to see if their home is within the company's service area. The owner can also call the handyman service directly.

Home improvement services typically offer two ways to schedule a service. Some allow the customer to schedule a service online or even through a DIY app on their smartphone. Others require their customers to call a toll-free number to schedule a service. Those who value face-to-face contact when scheduling work-from-home should opt for a handyman service that offers customers a toll-free phone number to schedule an appointment.

Services offered

While most DIY services include assembly, carpentry, installation, maintenance, painting, remodeling, and general repairs in their list of services, many also offer services that set them apart from the competition. These specializations include more advanced electrical and plumbing work, landscaping, fencing, and deck repair. When consulting a home improvement service, homeowners should look at their service offerings and choose one that fits the job that needs to be done. To avoid going through the vetting process again when choosing a service, homeowners should also consider what other chores will soon require a handyman.

offers and prices

Not all home improvement services value your work in the same way. Some pay by the hour, others by work. While there is nothing wrong with both billing methods, it is important to consider how your handyman is charged when it comes to the size of the job. It's wise to charge by the hour for minor jobs that may only take a few hours, such as minor plumbing repairs or shelving installations. For larger multi-day projects, it's best to enlist the help of a handyman who bills for the project, eliminating the need for the owner to monitor the crew to ensure they don't take too long to complete the job. A good handyman should also be able to provide their clients with a quote before the job is complete.

Insurance and Licenses

When searching for "home repair services near me," a homeowner should always verify that the service is insured and that their technicians are properly licensed to perform work in the state. Many states require the do-it-yourselfer to have some type of license. For example, in Massachusetts, any handyman doing construction work or more extensive renovations must have a contractor's license. All handymen working in Maryland must have a DIY license. Some states base their licenses on restoration value. For example, in Arizona, any job over $1,000 requires a contractor's license. Certain types of electrical and plumbing work also require a license in most states. With this in mind, the client should ask the home improvement service if they have the necessary licenses to do the work before hiring them.

In addition to having the corresponding licenses, you will also be assured of a good handyman service. This is critical since homeowners insurance is unlikely to cover the contractor's work, nor will it provide medical care if a technician is injured on the job. A good handyman will have an insurance policy that covers any accidental damage to your home and any injuries the technicians may sustain while on the job.

Guarantee

Many home improvement services do their job with warranties, but not all warranties are created equal. Some services guarantee their operation for up to a year, while others may only work for a few days. Since warranties for DIY services can vary, the customer will want to ask during the verification process how long the company does their work.

Customer service

Being able to contact a handyman service when questions arise about the job or if something goes wrong is crucial. Since home improvement services vary in the way they handle the customer, it's a good idea for the homeowner to choose one that suits the customer's preferences. Those who like to interact with a live person should choose a service with a toll-free customer support phone number, while those who prefer to exchange messages with an online representative should choose a service that offers a chat option.

DIY jobs with limited customer support hours can be more frustrating, so it's important to consider customer support hours as well. Some DIY services also offer other features to improve customer service, like text alerts that let you know when a technician is on the way.

Our top picks

The following list takes the above considerations into account to narrow the field to some of the best handyman services.

our verdict

Due to experienced technicians, a large number of locations, and first-class customer service,Sr. manitasis the best one-stop DIY service. Those looking for a service to help them with a smaller job listing should considerAce Handyman Serviceswith the possibility of scheduling services in different periods of time.

Before hiring one of the best DIY services

Before hiring a home improvement service, it's important to understand the scope of work a home improvement service can do. Most DIY services are for smaller jobs that can be completed in a day or two, such as repairing a closet door, painting kitchen cabinets, repairing a patio, or installing a bookcase. A handyman is probably not the right choice for a major kitchen or bathroom remodel. Depending on what state you're in, a handyman may not even be licensed to do major work. For larger projects that can take weeks to complete, it's usually best to hire a licensed contractor who can handle major renovations and assemble the necessary team of professionals to get the job done. They will also be familiar with the various permits you need to obtain.

The cost of hiring one of the best handyman services

Hethe cost of hiring a handymanit can differ dramatically. Small freelance DIY services typically charge $60-$70 an hour. DIY home services are much higher, around $125 an hour. Expect to pay more for specialized services like plumbing or electricity.

Hourly rates aren't the only thing to consider. An experienced handyman who is not charged by the hour knows how long the job will take and typically charges a flat fee for the job. Since these rates are for labor only, the client must also factor in the cost of materials, which can vary from service to service.

Benefits of using one of the best handyman services

sometimes tryingdiythe project is not feasible. And while hiring the cheapest guy to do the job might seem like a good way to save money, it can often cost the client more. By hiring one of the best home improvement services, homeowners can rest assured that they are hiring a qualified technician to do the job, increasing the chances of getting it done right the first time. A good handyman is also fully insured and has all the appropriate licenses, ensuring that someone with knowledge of how to do the job safely will be on site. The professional will also be aware of any permits or inspections required for the job, eliminating the need for the homeowner to navigate themselves.

• A professional guarantees that the job will be done right the first time.
• The best services are fully insured and employ licensed technicians.
• Someone else does the work, so the owner doesn't have to spend weekends making adjustments.
• Professional services are aware of the licenses and permits required for many projects.

Frequent questions

Although many questions about handyman services have been answered in this guide, you may still have some questions. Here are answers to the most pressing questions from homeowners looking for "the best home improvement services near you."

Q. What are basic DIY skills?

While a handyman may have a long list of skills, they should be able to handle carpentry, basic plumbing, minor electrical wiring, most maintenance, and minor repairs.

Q. Can a handyman paint a house?

Yes. In fact, it is one of the best DIY jobs. A handyman will know how to protect your home furnishings and paint difficult areas like trim and ceilings. Since painting is a common DIY service, you can expect a professional finish.

Q. What is the handyman service?

A handyman can typically perform a wide range of services including, but not limited to, carpentry, home maintenance, basic electrical and plumbing work, and painting.

Q. What makes a good handyman?

A good handyman will do quality work, show up when they say they'll be there, and meet deadlines. A good handyman will also admit when the job is not in their skill set.

Q. What is the difference between a handyman and a contractor?

A handyman is qualified to do smaller jobs that take 1-2 days to complete. A general contractor can undertake large renovation projects that take days or weeks, coordinate workers with special skills, and obtain multiple building permits.

Q. How much do handyman services cost?

Handyman rates vary, but expect to pay $60-$70 per hour for a freelance handyman and $125 per hour for a handyman who works for a national franchise service.