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Article #205: A Guide for Widows and Divorcess on How to Hire Maintenence Help

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






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