Experiences definitely arrive in multiple "parts".   In my opinion, the "worst" occur when inconsistency is involved.  You don't know what to expect on a given day:  great work or substandard-at-best.  That inconsistency is a major fail and a big headache.  

I have a Handyman named Joe and he started out as a client, and then I found out he was a Joe of all Trades.  Not only have I used him for my own personal work but have referred him to many of my clients.  Overall my experience has been positive.  Over the years he has bought and sold about 7 homes and we have become very good friends.

I have had the same guy and his team for about 10 years.  Always exceed my expectations.  I'm fortunate....I know as are our clients. Plus...he's very reasonable.

I have several excellent handymen on my list of service providers. Can't say I've had a bad experience.

Yes and yes! I prefer to use a licensed contractor when it comes to electrical and plumbing. I used a "handyman" recently to build some steps, they looked ok, NOT! All steps has to have the same distance, it showed the last step was 3/4 inches too short...

Handymen never do plumbing or electrical for my clients, only licensed contractors do. Handymen are for the jobs too small for the contractors in my business. I prefer to use pros for your story's reason alone. But also to protect my time, reputation and liability.

Yes, the handyman revolving door was always spinning around and around in Minot ND. Many more tallentless people out there then those who knew what they were doing Fred Griffin Tallahassee Real Estate .

Yes and Yes.  And it depends upon the location of  the work and scope in making a decision to call "handyman" or "professional"

Yes, to both, but more "less than ideal" experiences.  Difficult to find many in any profession that actually take pride in their work these day, IMHO.

I had bad experience with handyman during renovation of my home. 

Fred, I have the BEST handyman, and as a single girl, he is on speed dial.  He is older than me, so pretty darn slow, but his rates are great.

Yes to both.  They can make a deal or break a deal.  The bad ones just don't show up and the good ones do what they say they will do in a timely manner at a decent price.

Can't say I've had your situation but obviously plumbing was in this guys bags of tricks.

It's a roll of the dice with these guys.

Yes.....and YES...

Fred,

The world is full of" can do" and those who "pretend to know what they are doing"...every single profession does. Fortunately we have honed our pretender detector, and we have a good record sniffing those out.  A

Have many dealings over the decades of the "good" and the not so "good". Currently I have been working with an ACE-guy the find of finds. We have passed him around to family and friends. We all win and are still winning

Good and bad.

I do not hire "Handyman" for plumbing or electrical work.  If a trade professional botched a job ... that would be another story.

Why yes we have!  Rudy V was a great handyman - very reasonably priced - did great work!  Then came the day that I received a text that he had an emergency to deal with - a "folded" living room - I presume he meant "flooded" - but never had the opportunity to ask him as he "vanished" after that text never to be seen again - by us at least!

Yes and yes! Now I am more choosier on my choices for repairs.

Hi Fred,

In South Florida, it is often times a matter of luck. Most handyment/GC's over promise and under deliver. I try to meet with a few before engaging them. Currently, I have a GC whom is on top of all of my projects and I hope the relationship continues positively.  If you need any help in the tri county area; Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach, please reach out. 30% referral fee. 

Mike is a fix it genius. He can take apart a jet engine and put it back together.  In college he built a jet engine test stand that is still being used 40 years later.

Handymen never want the job because Mike tells them how he wants it done...they get cold feet and don't send an estimate.

When we do hire someone, they have to be the expert in the business.

Eve