8 Ways to Find a Handyman, Plumber and Other Service Providers Near You

One of the most frustrating, yet often overlooked challenges of moving to a new city is finding a trustworthy handyman in your area. In the past, you probably had a rolodex of tried-and-true home service providers. Now that you’ve moved, you’ll have to start all over in your search for the perfect “jack of all trades.” Not to mention, you’ll most likely need a new plumber and electrician as well. Your new home may also require service professionals for pool maintenance, lawn care, painting and furniture repair. Not sure how to find these local pros? Here are 8 easy ways to find a reliable handyman, plumber and other home improvement professionals in your new city.

Angie’s List

One of the best ways to find home service professionals is through Angie’s List. The members only website provides an online directory of crowd-sourced reviews, ratings and insights about everything from handymen and improvement services to the best doctors and pet services. Members grade companies on an A through F scale. According to Angie’s List, the reviews come from real customers. Home service companies cannot rate themselves or pay to receive a rating. Angie’s List also labels certain companies as “Certified Pros.” For more information on Angie’s List, check here .

HomeAdvisor

From handyman services and builders to lawn maintenance and carpentry, HomeAdvisor helps millions of Americans find and book the best professionals for the job. Providers on HomeAdvisor have been thoroughly screened and have received verified pro reviews. All you have to do is select a project category that matches your improvement needs and answer HomeAdvisor’s questions. The organization will provide you with “four pre-screened, local home improvement pros” that match your needs and availability. For more information on HomeAdvisor, check here .

Houzz

While Houzz is best known for its interior design marketplace, the website offers additional services as well. The website attracts “more than 40 million homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals,” according to Houzz. Users can find everything from electricians and painters to tree services and lawn care through the Houzz marketplace. Each home improvement provider listed on Houzz comes with reviews, star ratings and contact information. They may also list photos and information about various projects they’ve worked on in the past. For more information on Houzz, check here .

Local hardware store

The best way to find a handyman near you? Head to your local hardware store. After all, what better place to go than a store that specializes in home repairs? The local hardware store’s employees may either have helpful recommendations for servicemen in your area or they may even be handymen themselves. Additionally, your local hardware store may have plenty of business cards, paper ads and contact information for contractors in your area.

Nextdoor.com

Haven’t met your neighbors yet? You can still ask them for references and recommendations on Nextdoor.com. The free private social network is designed for residents of a specific neighborhood and its surrounding communities. Neighbors can sign up online using their verified address. Once you’re signed up, simply introduce yourself and ask for recommendations. You can also check Nextdoor’s “Recommendation” category for everything from handymen and roofers to plumbers and pest control. For more information on Nextdoor, check here .

Thumbtack

To find and compare experienced home professionals in your area, check Thumbtack’s online marketplace. All you have to do is enter the service you need and your location. After answering a few questions, the service will then share your details with professionals in the area, who will compete for the project. According to Thumback, professionals will then provide you with custom quotes, which will include a cost estimate, customer reviews, business profile, contact info and a personalized message. For more information on Thumbtack, check here .

Yelp

Have access to the internet? Try visiting Yelp.com to find your next handyman and other home service providers. The popular crowdsourcing website posts user reviews and recommendations for everything from restaurants and shopping to entertainment and services. All you have to do is type in your location and what it is you’re looking for. Yelp will then show you multiple nearby businesses, all ranked by their star ratings. For more information on Yelp, check here .

Word of Mouth

One of the best (if not the best) ways to find a new handyman, plumber, electrician and other service providers is by asking around town for recommendations. Starting a new job? Ask your coworkers for suggestions. Meeting the new neighbors? Ask who they use for home repairs. More than likely, these new acquaintances will be happy to share their thoughts and overall experiences with certain people and companies. Remember: just as important as who they recommend is who they don’t recommend. So listen carefully and be sure to ask plenty of questions.

Other suggestions for getting settled after a move

Finished moving? Besides finding new home service professionals, you’ll also need to take care of the following:

Unpack your boxes
Make sure all utilities are up and running
Call to schedule a security system installation appointment
Recycle moving boxes and supplies
Have your home professionally cleaned
Forward your mail (if you haven’t already!)
Find a doctor and other necessary health care providers
Find a new pharmacy and have your prescription medications moved
Meet your neighbors
Register your car
Save your moving receipts. Those moving for work purposes could get reimbursed.
Move your child’s school records (if you haven’t already!)
Hire a locksmith to change your locks. You may want to make extra copies of your keys as well.
Start the home decorating process.
Find a storage unit, if needed.

Ready to Move?

Before finding a new handyman, you’ll need to plan your move. Fortunately, Moving.com’s extensive network of reputable and reliable movers makes it easy to find and book the best moving company for the job. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands. Also, if you’re only looking for help with the loading and unloading process, be sure to check out our 5 labor alternatives to hiring a full-service moving company . Best of luck and happy moving