Handyman or Professional Contractor – Which is Best For Your Single Family Rental?

There’s no way around it: Real estate ownership involves repairs. The older your property, the more likely it will need routine maintenance to keep, or grow, its value. Then there are major rental renovations, like bathroom and kitchen upgrades, room additions, roof replacements, and more, that will require strategic budgeting.

Who to call to work on your single family rental often depends on the work itself. Besides doing the work yourself, here are your choices:

•  Handyman. Often unlicensed, your neighborhood handyman (or handy person, to be more inclusive) is terrific for small single family rental projects, like repairing window screens, installing light fixtures, fixing minor faucet leaks, painting a room, or putting in ceiling fans. Handyman services usually require little lead time and are best for projects that take hours, not days.
• Contractor. This option is for long-term projects that require special trade skills and permits. Contractors can also involve teams of workers and must be scheduled in advance.

Still unsure which choice is best for your rental property renovation or repair project? Here are some simple questions to ask to help get you to the right answer.

How specialized is the project? Let’s say your roof is leaking or you need to switch your piping from lead to copper. Or your single family rental is old and requires a complete rewiring of its electrical system.Maybe your HVAC system needs a complete overhaul.

These are specialized jobs that requires a licensed professional like a plumber or electrician. If you don’t hire someone who is vetted, licensed, and carries the proper insurance, you not only risk having work drag out and executed poorly or incorrectly, you also open yourself up to liability issues.

Does your work require permits? If your rental renovations require permits, you need a contractor. How do you know? Check with the municipality where you live. Some places require permits for projects as simple as a new fence while others only require permits only for serious projects like room additions.

What does your budget allow? Don’t call a contractor to replace doorknobs, replace a shower head, or install new cabinets because they’ll charge a higher rate and simple jobs like those don’t require special skills. Handymen are perfect for low-cost jobs that can be performed within hours. For more expensive jobs that require contractors, start budgeting now.

The Role of Compliance

Sometimes the simplest way to choose the right person for your job or project is to check local laws. Some states require a license for handymen while others don’t. When considering a handyman, check the laws and regulations in your city and state about licensing and permits.

Contractors require more rigorous compliance. They must provide proof of insurance, register with a local contractors’ board and the state department of labor, complete required training courses in your state, and pass specialized exams. Most contractors also start out in apprentice programs that can take several years to complete.

Contact Lessen

Lessen’s extensive vendor network of 30,000 specialists across 55 trades is available around the clock to successfully complete your rental property renovations, no matter what it is. No matter where your single family rental is located, we have relationships with specialists nearby to get your job finished on time. Let’s talk!

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