If you are a single woman and own your own home the chances are good that you will have to have some work done on it sooner or later. This could mean a new roof, repairs to the plumbing or perhaps something new, such as a new extension or a conservatory.
When this type of situation does arise, you will need to find the most appropriate builder or handyman to complete the job for you. This can be a challenge for anyone, but women can find it particularly difficult to find the right person.
We hear so many stories of people (women and other vulnerable individuals in particular) being charged extortionate amounts for relatively simple jobs or paying a builder only to have them disappear. Here are three ways you can find the right person for the job.
Ask for recommendations or referrals: This is the best route to take, because you will find people who have already proved their worth to other customers. Ask your family members, your friends and anyone else you know and trust. Have your neighbors used anyone trustworthy they can recommend to you?
Don’t use the first person you find The best bet is to get several Quotes – these should be free and in writing – from three providers. You can then compare them and consider which one will prove to be the best. This may not be the cheapest person consider each individual and who can back up their professional ability.
Don’t rush into a decision either – quotes will usually be good for 30 days, but you can check this when you receive each one.
Trust your instincts: This isn’t a black and white way of finding the best person for the job, but your instincts can indeed show you the way to go. Sometimes you might get a particularly cheap deal from someone but something about them tells you to go elsewhere.
Trust your instincts in this situation – cheap deals are normally cheap for a reason! It is perfectly possible to find the best person for the job if you go through the steps listed above. Some unscrupulous people might try and charge a woman more for a job or take advantage of them in another way.
If you show you are looking for a responsible and trustworthy builder or handyman, you stand a much better chance of finding the right person for the job. Educate yourself as to how you can find them and use the steps above to get there.