Can someone please recommend reasonable handy man in the Edison area. Need to get some work done in the bathrooms and some other small things. Thanks a lot.
Steven Z. replied:
Hi Archna. I am a contractor who works in the area and I am fully licensed and insured in the state of NJ. I would be happy to provide you with a written estimate for services. Feel free to browse through pictures on my Facebook page by clicking the link below and your always welcome to contact me anytime to set up an appointment. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Steven D. Zamouzakis, Owner 1-800 Construction, Inc. A+ Better Business Bureau 732-322-4281https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=10150122456955173
Handyman needed Can anyone recommend a handyman to replace the screen on my porch? It may require ladder work. Thanks All!
andrewglover replied:
Try "The Homestead Hollow." Unlike a lot of other "handyman" services Terry has a team of 4 or 5 guys (versus a one-man show), and is fully licensed and inssured. [https://www.facebook.com/TheHomesteadHollow/](https://www.facebook.com/TheHomesteadHollow/)
Angie's List - Is it worth it? We're working on buying a condo (it's a short sale, so it's a looong process) that's going to need a little work when we get it. I thought...
casagordita replied:
We were getting a new roof anyway, and the estimator from the roofing company said they had a coupon for Angie's List members--we could save a lot more than the price of a membership. So we joined, and we used the coupon--that was nice.
What's less nice is the way that Angie's List has sent us a steady barrage of advertising, coupons, "helpful" tips (mostly connected to their paid advertising), and other crap by email and snailmail, ever since. Their business model and reason for existing seems to be far more about selling ads to contractors and service providers, than about providing reviews and information to their members.
A friend recommended the Home Owners Club http://www.homeownersclub.org/ for another repair job we needed, and we also joined that. They're much less slick and relentless with the sales pitches than Angie's list. They're almost quaintly old-school and not all that down with this new-fangled Internet stuff. But so far we've gotten some good referrals, and they've followed up on each job and made sure we're happy with the work. You pay them and they pay the contractor, so I feel reasonably confident that the work will be done right--and if we're not happy, that they'll do something about it.
If we only keep up one membership, Angie's List will go and Home Owners Club will stay.
Anonymous replied:
Talk to the folks at a hardware/home improvement store. I'd start by going to a locally-owned store first. But even the large chains sometimes have employees who used to be contractors themselves, and can give you credible references. Another idea: realtors. Often, properties need work before being listed and realtors learn to keep the contact info of reliable contractors handy.
Anonymous replied:
I know someone who got screwed by a contractor hired through Angie's list. Basically nothing was built to code. They were scammers.
evilbomarswife replied:
Have you looked at HomeAdvisor.com? It's free! We found our landscaper there to re-sod our yard. Great job, crew was nice, good deal and were done on time. This was in South King County.
mood_velociraptor replied:
I've used it before for similar reasons to the ones you have~ It didn't work, I wouldn't bother were I to have a need again.
courtneyj replied:
The quality and pricing I've found by going through Angie's List has saved me tons of money. And I always find people who are highly rated that I didn't find anywhere else. It's definitely been worth whatever my husband has paid for it.
Anonymous replied:
Monycaw.. I think Angie's list is more like "scamgie's list". I'm not digging the fact Angie's List doesn't tell you upfront about their membership costs. You have to go through all this rigamarole. I feel like the site should just straight out ask to weigh my wallet and check my credit score before it will let me move onto the next page. Kinda expected a pop up stating, "Ma'am, we're sorry, your wallet does not weigh enough to view our list". I'd try HomeAdvisor. Here's what I do. I call three aholes also known as contractors/service people with good reviews from multiple sites. I have these aholes come out and bid the job. Then I decide which overpriced ahole is a) the least creepy b) the least overpriced out of the three and c) the most likely to complete the job to my satisfaction. Often. I will let the company know I've received a better quote from another ahole (but I keep it secret this ahole looks like a serial killer). I'd love to say so and so is a total gentleman, performs fantastic work, cleans up after themselves and is a good deal. I cannot. EVERY service person in WA is a disaster. I have a house in another part of the country and the service there is fantastic. The service industry in WA is overpriced, crappy work. *The one company I know charges outrageous prices and might as well be called "Rumpelstiltskin Construction". p.s. STAY AWAY FROM HOME DEPOT! Just say no to Home Depot.
spsuich replied:
I've used Homeowner's Club for years: http://www.homeownersclub.org/ Contractors bill through them and you don't pay unless you're happy. They also help settle disputes.
alwaysomewhere replied:
I got my membership during the Seattle home show at centerlink field. Angie's list had a booth and Membership was only $15 last year with a $5 starbucks card, if you can wait to register in person it saves a lot! That said I never really used the membership. They send you a little magazine periodically with a list of good and bad contractors which I never read, and I got email requests all the time asking to review this and that even if I just searched for them.
MountainDewGuy replied:
A lot of remodelers offer a huge discount if you're a member. Some could pay for the entire year.
bluegenxgirl replied:
Google Angie's List today. There is a news story about them that suggests using them might not be the best idea .
jaymzx0 replied:
I've been a member for awhile and I agree you shouldn't pay for the face value of the membership. I recently renewed at $45/3 years during a promo. I've used the list to research pretty much every home service, and to check out subcontractors. The best part are the 'deals'. For example, I've had the same water heater for about 11 years and it's time for a new one. Usually that's a $1,200-$1,400 cost (all inclusive) but deals come though all the time for $800 specials, and they usually allow upgrades (for a 10 yr warranty model, etc).
doobiewondersmoke replied:
You can find codes online and pay for an entire year of Angie's List for the normal cost of a month. I'd go that route first because $9 (or whatever the cost) a month is expensive and definitely not worth it.
As for contractors, my wife and I found one to work on a small deck at our house. Literally a half day worth of work took us 2+ months to complete. The guy was a total joke in how he ran his business and was a nightmare to deal with. I got phone calls and text messages at 1am during the week. He'd randomly show up unannounced at 8pm just to talk about work he should have already finished.
I'm sure you get the good with the bad, but from what I've found it's no more truthful or helpful to pay than it is to use Yelp or some other local reviews. I would have thought the pay service would have been better but my experience was not a good one.
Anonymous replied:
We've been getting feedback for this sort of thing using a very local FB group (island specific). Not sure if you have a Magnolia equivalent, but the BI group is fairly honest.
HarrumphingWalrus replied:
I've had great luck with Angie's List, but as with any resource, you have to use it wisely and do your own due diligence. Read the reviews, don't go straight for the coupons and "deals," and choose someone nearby with good ratings. I usually join to find someone for a project and then let the membership lapse or cancel it until the next project.
I am looking for someone,a professional to sell. And install Windows. They are replacement windows not new. I want either double or triple pane low e I need quotes for...
Katherine P. replied:
Maybe try "Angie's List" or Handymanservice.com or homeadvisor.com
Does anyone know of a good honest handyman? Our closet is real long but has one small door, so it's not really accessible. We need someone who can cut it out and put...
Kat B. replied:
Wince E Lee
Kathy F. replied:
John Stivers
Stephen C. replied:
Mike Nash
Marsha K. replied:
see David Merchant on facebook
Beth B. replied:
David Sharp
Larry W. replied:
My business https://www.facebook.com/.../Walkers.../705932102834070 can come right now and give a bid and have it done quick and we will beat anybodys prices
Anybody know a handyman or company that repairs sliding glass doors? I think we just need a new wheel kit - it 's extremely difficult to open and close and the wheels...
Most of you folks are local and I am in need a a good, reliable Handyman. Can any of you supply me with a name & number?
Gina B. replied:
Carol, I've had success finding handymen through www.homeadvisor.com. Just put in the type of work you need done and the website will provide you with a list of approved providers.
okay need help!
anybody know of a contractor/ handyman willing to work???
I need my a/c ducts boxed in and a small drop ceiling put in hallway and some other work!! I've...
Dennis B. replied:
Just saw an ad for homeadvisor.com. Never used them but you might find someone.
Looking for a reliable, affordable "handyman". We haven't lived in Toledo long, and our roof has a small leak. I'm very anxious to get it patched or repaired ASAP, but...
jck30 replied:
Check out http://www.homeadvisor.com/ I've used it before for a few different projects and I never had any issue.
Anonymous replied:
If you just want someone with a ladder who can slap down some tar, craigslist is your friend. It'll probably run you far less than $200. But beware that if there's an accident you could be held liable for any injuries (your home owners insurance should cover it, but still worth noting).