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2. A handyman or handyperson is a person
skilled at a wide range of
repairs, typically around the home.
These tasks include trade skills, repair
work, maintenance work, both interior
and exterior, and are sometimes
described as "odd jobs", "fix-up
tasks", and include light plumbing jobs
such as fixing a leaky toilet or light
electric jobs such as changing a light
fixture.
3. The term handyman or handyperson increasingly
describes a paid worker, but it also includes non-
paid homeowners or do-it-yourselfers. Tasks range
from minor to major, from unskilled to highly
skilled, and include painting, drywall
repair, remodeling, minor plumbing work, minor
electrical work, household
carpentry, sheetrock, crown molding, and furniture
assembly (see more complete list below.) The term
handyman is occasionally applied as an adjective to
describe politicians or business leaders who make
substantial organizational changes, such as
overhauling a business structure or administrative
division.
7. An estimate was that in 2003, the market for
home-maintenance and repair spending was up
14% from 2001 to 2003. Another estimate was
that the market in the United States was $126
billion and was increasing by about 4% annually.
American homes are aging; one estimate was
that in 2007, more than half of all homes are
older than 25 years. And, as populations
worldwide tend to become older, on
average, and since increasingly elderly people
will be less inclined and able to maintain their
homes, it is likely that demand for
handyman/handyperson services will grow.
8. Many towns have handymen or handypersons
who work part-time, for friends or family or
neighbors, who are skilled in a variety of tasks.
Sometimes they advertise in newspapers or
online. They vary in quality, professionalism, skill
level, and price. Contractors often criticize the
work of previous contractors, and this practice
is not limited to handymen/handypersons, but to
all trades. Handymen have advertised their
services through flyers and mailings; in
addition, free websites such as Craigslist and
SkillSlate help customers and handymen find
each other.
9. In 2009, there were national handyman service
firms which handle such nationwide tasks as
public relations, marketing, advertising, and
signage, but sell specific territories to
franchise owners. A franchise contract typically
gives a franchise owner the exclusive right to
take service calls within a given geographical
area. The websites of these firms put possible
customers in touch with local owners, which
have handypersons and trucks. Customers call
the local numbers. Typically these firms charge
around $100/hour, although fees vary by
locality and time of year.
10.
11. How well do the franchise chains perform? One
Wall Street Journal reporting team did an
informal assessment by hiring "handymen all
over the country and asked them to fix a wide
range of problems, from a relatively routine
leaky faucet to a sticky door." The reporter
concluded that "with few licensing requirements
and standards for the industry, prices are all
over the board." One quote was ten times as
large as another. Further, the reporter
concluded "A big corporate name is no
guarantee of quality or speedy service.
