Search "handyman St. Louis" and you get hundreds of names, from one person with a truck to companies with a full team. Most homeowners pick on price or whoever calls back first. A few questions up front tell you far more about how the job will actually go.
These are the questions we would ask if we were hiring someone for our own homes.
1. Are you insured?
If someone gets hurt or something gets damaged in your home, insurance is what stands between that accident and your wallet. Ask whether the business carries general liability insurance, and ask for proof if the job is a big one. A legitimate company will not be bothered by the question.
2. Are your techs background checked?
You are handing over access to your home, often while you are at work. Ask whether every person who might show up has been vetted and background checked, not only the owner.
3. How do you price the job?
Handyman pricing varies a lot, and how a company prices matters as much as the number. Ask:
- Do you charge by the hour, or give a set price for the job?
- Will I get an estimate before any work starts?
- Are parts and materials included, or billed separately?
4. Can you do everything on my list?
Most homes have a mix of small jobs: a dripping faucet, a ceiling fan, a sticking door, a drywall patch. One company that covers plumbing, electrical fixtures, doors, drywall, paint and flooring can knock out the whole list in one visit instead of three different appointments. Read through the services list before you call, and mention every item when you book.
5. Who is coming to my house?
It sounds like a small thing, but it matters. A company uniform means you know the person at your door is who you were expecting.
6. Will I know when you are on the way?
Waiting around all day for an arrival window is the most common complaint about home services. Ask whether you get a text confirmation and an on my way notice.
7. What happens when the job is done?
A good Pro protects your floors with shoe covers, cleans up after the work and shows you what was done. Photos of the finished work on the invoice are also useful for your records, and for landlords, for your tenants' files.
8. What do other customers say?
Look past the star rating to what reviewers actually mention: showing up on time, communication, quality and cleanup. A handful of detailed reviews tells you more than a large number of one line ones.
Ready to book a Pro?
Background checked, insured Pros across St. Louis County and St. Charles County.
Quick answers
Do I need a handyman or a contractor?
For repairs, installs and smaller projects like fixtures, fans, doors, drywall, painting and flooring, a handyman company is usually the faster and simpler choice. For major remodels, additions or work that needs permits and plans, ask whether the job is in scope when you book.
How does HandyPros price jobs?
Common jobs are priced from our price book, and bigger or unusual jobs get an estimate first, so you know the price before any work starts.
Which areas do you serve?
St. Louis County, including North County and West County, plus St. Charles County. That includes Chesterfield, Kirkwood, Ballwin, Florissant, Hazelwood, Maryland Heights, Fenton, Black Jack, St. Charles, St. Peters and Wentzville.
