| Please know you are not alone when it comes to | | | | information it is time to call several service people |
| knowing how to hire maintenance help. My husband | | | | and ask for bids; letting them know that you are in |
| couldn't hire a window washer, who could do the job | | | | the bid phase of your project. Most people will give |
| correctly. I was the one who did all the research and | | | | free bids; if you are told the bid isn't free, you might |
| narrowed the choices down to two or three, of | | | | want to think twice about having them come out. |
| which he could choose. Usually I also made the final | | | | The first few times you have someone come out to |
| decision. However, this wasn't always the case. After | | | | give you a bid, do your best to have someone there |
| he made a few mistakes in hiring, he turned the job | | | | with you, who is also knowledgeable about the |
| over to me. I was so concerned that I would make a | | | | service you want done. You would still be the one |
| mistake that I started asking everyone I knew for | | | | asking the questions. If there isn't anyone available, |
| advice. Before long I had a system in place to find | | | | that's ok. It just helps in the beginning to relieve |
| new people, if I needed too. | | | | possible nervousness and another person might have |
| The first rule is to never start out by talking about | | | | questions or comments that you might not think of. |
| price. I know how much the person wants for their | | | | However, you can do this on your own. I sure did |
| services is important. You have a budget after all. | | | | and still do. Have your questions at hand when talking |
| Look at it from the service persons view. They have | | | | to them. If a question isn't answered ask it again. |
| a skill that hopefully they are proud of. This skill is | | | | Don't be shy. You are the one paying the bill and the |
| valuable or they would not have learned it. Hopefully | | | | one who has to live with the job. |
| they are good at the service offered. How much is | | | | Make sure you understand everything the person can |
| expertise worth? You should talk about price, just | | | | and can't do before they leave. After you have |
| don't let it be the first thing out of your mouth. If it | | | | talked about what needs to be done and the person |
| is, the service person will get the impression that you | | | | has advised you of what they can do for you, |
| are frugal. If the person takes the job, you might get | | | | including when they can start the job, it is time to |
| less than quality service. You might even end up | | | | talk price. By this time you should have a good idea |
| paying more in the long run. You want the service | | | | of the price range, due to all the homework you |
| person to know that you value his or her skills rather | | | | have done. It is ok to negotiate. Ask them if they |
| than feeling you want the work done with minimal | | | | have any specials, or if they offer discounts. Ask |
| compensation. We will come back to cost a bit later. | | | | them what their terms are. Is this a long term |
| One of the first things to do when looking for | | | | contract as would sometimes be the case with a |
| service or maintenance help is to survey, in your | | | | lawn person? If so, how long is the contract for? Is |
| mind, the people you know who you trust. You want | | | | there a opt out clause in the contract if you are not |
| to be able to go to these people and ask who they | | | | happy? Do they want a down payment? Do they |
| use. The people you ask opinions of should be people | | | | offer discounts if you pay within a certain period of |
| who are not having problems with the people they | | | | time after the work is done. |
| hire. You should also be able to look at the work | | | | RULE #2 - NEVER EVER, EVER PAY IN FULL UP |
| done for the people you know; to judge for yourself | | | | FRONT FOR A JOB - PLEASE HEAR ME - IF YOU |
| if you want to hire their maintenance person. I have | | | | DO; YOU ARE ASKING TO BE ROBBED WITHOUT |
| people in my life that I love dearly, but I would never | | | | A GUN. It is ok and sometimes customary to pay a |
| think of asking them who they hire for certain tasks. | | | | third up front for materials and supplies but that is all. |
| Why? Because, they don't have my annual retentive | | | | Most service people have accounts at hardware |
| perfectionist requirements. So, think about your | | | | stores and paint shops. They get supplies on account. |
| requirements before asking someone else who they | | | | If someone asks you for all the money up front, do |
| use. | | | | not hire them. |
| Once you have a few people in mind to ask for | | | | After you have obtained several bids (at least 3) |
| references; write down a few questions for them. | | | | weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each. Be |
| Questions such as: What did the person do for you? | | | | wary of someone who doesn't want to give you a |
| How long did it take? Was there a contract? Where | | | | written bid with their signature and date. Take a few |
| they clean and courteous? Did they show up on time | | | | days to do this process. If you have any additional |
| and finish on time? Are they bonded and licensed? | | | | questions for any or all of the bidders call them and |
| How did you find them? Was the job they did for | | | | ask your questions. Most people are happy to |
| them similar to the one you want done? Were there | | | | answer your questions. Once you have done all of |
| any complaints that were not addressed and | | | | your homework, received bids and reviewed them; |
| handled? What type of follow up did they do after | | | | it's time to call the one you wish to hire. Let them |
| the job was complete? Did they do what they said | | | | know that you want to go over what they will and |
| they would? Was the cost reasonable? Were there | | | | will not do for you again, including the costs and |
| more charges added after the job began? What was | | | | payment requirements. If everything is in order, hire |
| the cost? Add more questions as you think of them. | | | | them. |
| Now, contact the people you have chosen to get | | | | Finally, you want to make sure you are home when |
| references from and talk to them about the work | | | | the work is being done; if the person doing the work |
| they had done; asking them the above questions. In | | | | is someone you do not know personally. If the |
| addition, If the service you are looking to hire | | | | person you have been dealing with is not the one |
| someone to do is something that is visible from the | | | | doing the work or has a crew; get their names and |
| road; drive around and look at it from the comfort of | | | | give a list of those names to someone you depend |
| your car. If you like what you see; go to the front | | | | on and trust. It is also advisable to let your neighbors |
| door and see if the owner will talk to you about it. | | | | or someone else know that you will have workers in |
| After talking to a few people you should be getting a | | | | your home and ask them to come by and check on |
| feel for the type of person you want to hire. You | | | | you periodically during the day. Put jewelry and |
| should also be getting a feel for the level of skill to | | | | valuables out of site too. You can never be too |
| look for and the price range of the service. One | | | | careful and having someone check on you, gives you |
| other place to look for references is the hardware | | | | piece of mind and let's the workers know you are |
| store. I usually ask several stores for names of | | | | not alone. You also want to get periodic updates on |
| people they like. Sometimes you will get detailed info | | | | how the work is progressing. |
| from the stores on maintenance people and | | | | When the work is complete and you have inspected |
| sometimes you will be told they can't give a | | | | the job and are satisfied with the work, it is ok to |
| reference. The point is to try anyway. | | | | make the final payment. HAPPY HIRING! |
| After you have gathered your foundational | | | | |