One of the most important things to do after you hire a professional handyman is to put something in writing so everyone understands who is responsible for what:  who buys supplies, etc.  This can be something as simple as a handwritten list of bullet points that both parties sign and stick on the fridge.

Some handymen actually have their own pre-printed contracts and/or work agreements, and that’s fine.  These can be edited as necessary.  Usually it’s only the larger companies and service bureaus that have this kind of paperwork, and the freelancers are typically more than happy to sign whatever you make up yourself.

The type of job at hand should dictate the detail put into the work agreement.  If you expect someone to paint your living room, for instance, this may sound like a very simple job but in reality there are many things to be considered and agreed up before the painting begins:  who moves the furniture, who buys the paint, how many coats, is repair work to the walls included in the bid, what happens if there is any damage done (spilled paint on hardwood floors, etc.)…these are all concerns best not left till later.

As a matter of courtesy it’s always a good idea to figure out ahead of time what to do with any pets when the handyman comes to do the job.  Not everyone loves or even wants to deal with animals, so it’s a good idea to have a frank discussion with your handyman as to what his interest might be with having your cats supervise his every move, or Fido yapping away for hours at a time.  For someone who has no tolerance for pets or animals at all, you may want to find someone who understands the passions of pet lovers and won’t mind them around.

Another thing to check on – even before you commit to the project – is whether you need a building permit to do the job.  Many homeowners try to use hire a good handyman knowing it will cost less than a fully licensed contractor in many cases, but when a job requires a building permit, the job needs to be completed by a licensed contractor or your job won’t be approved.  This is not an area where you can try to cut corners.  If you need repair work to your roof, even though a handyman might be able to do an excellent job, you really need to hire a licensed roofing contractor, not a handyman.

It will behoove you to find out what your local ordinances dictate before making a commitment to anyone for any major work.

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