A handyman list: the jobs that fit into one visit
Small repairs have a way of piling up: the shelf has been waiting a month, the door has creaked since the spring, the silicone in the bathroom went dark long ago. On its own each one is half an hour's work, but each one is paid for as a separate visit. That is why the cheapest way to use a handyman is with a list.
Why a list saves money
Every visit has a fixed part to it: the journey, the parking, unloading the tools. That part is paid for once, whether the handyman hangs one shelf or works through eight jobs. When you are paying by the hour, the difference between three separate visits and one combined one is real and shows up immediately.
So before you post a request, walk round the place with your phone in your hand and write down everything that has been annoying you for months.
What usually goes on the list
On the walls
- Shelves, brackets and consoles.
- Mirrors, pictures, clocks.
- A television on the wall with the cable hidden.
- Curtain rails, blinds, roller blinds and curtains.
Doors and windows
- Adjusting a door that will not close or that creaks.
- Changing a lock, a handle or a cylinder.
- Adjusting window frames and replacing seals.
- Fitting a door stop or a door closer.
In the bathroom and the kitchen
- Replacing darkened silicone around the bath and the sink.
- Tightening a mixer, changing a shower head and hose.
- Fitting hooks, shelf units and a toilet roll holder.
- Adjusting the doors and hinges on the kitchen units.
Furniture and odds and ends
- Assembling furniture and small furniture repairs.
- Changing feet, handles and drawer mechanisms.
- Fitting child locks on cupboards and sockets.
What to have ready before they arrive
- Buy the materials in advance, or agree that the handyman will supply them β this is the most common reason for a second visit.
- Check the walls. A concrete wall needs a hammer drill and plugs; plasterboard needs special fixings. Say what you have.
- Clear access to the places that will be worked on.
- Put the list in order of priority. If the time runs out, the important things will have been done rather than whatever came first.
How to describe the jobs in the request
"Small repairs" is not a description. One that works looks like this: "Hang two shelves on a concrete wall, fit a 2-metre curtain rail, adjust the front door, replace the silicone around the bath." With a request like that you get a quote with a price for the whole list, rather than "we'll see when we get there".
If you are renting, or getting a place ready to let, add the deadline as well β "by Friday, before the new tenants", for example.
When the job is not one for a handyman
There are things that need a specialist, and a good tradesperson will tell you so honestly:
- A leak in the wall or replacing pipework β a plumber.
- New wiring, a consumer unit, an RCD β an electrician.
- Fitting air conditioning β an air conditioning engineer.
- Painting a whole flat β a painter and decorator.
The line is a simple one: small repairs and fitting things are for a handyman, and anything that goes into the wall or into the installation is for a specialist.
When demand peaks
Varna has two peak periods. The start of the academic year, when students and families move and places are got ready for tenants. And the spring, before the season, when owners of flats in Briz, Chayka and around Golden Sands prepare them for guests. In those weeks the free slots go faster.
Common questions
Why is it cheaper to bundle the jobs into one visit? Every visit has a fixed part β travel, parking, unloading tools β paid once whether the handyman hangs one shelf or does eight jobs. With hourly pay, the difference between three separate visits and one combined one is real.
What counts as a handyman job? Shelves, mirrors, a TV on the wall, curtain rails and blinds; adjusting doors and windows, changing a lock or handle; silicone around the bath and sink, hooks, kitchen cupboard hinges; assembling and small repairs of furniture.
When do I need a specialist instead? A leak in the wall or new pipes β a plumber; new wiring, a fuse board, an RCD β an electrician; fitting an air conditioner β an AC technician; repainting the whole flat β a painter.
What should I prepare before the visit? The materials β bought in advance or agreed with the handyman; what the walls are made of (concrete or plasterboard); clear access to the work spots; a list in order of priority, so the important things get done if time runs out.
When is it hardest to get a slot in Varna? At the start of the school year, when students and families move and flats are prepared for tenants, and in spring before the season, when owners in Briz, Chayka and near Golden Sands get their flats ready for guests.
How to book
Describe the list and a time that suits you β offers usually arrive within 5β15 minutes:
If there is furniture to assemble among the jobs, have a look at furniture assembly too.