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Why You Should Hire a Handyman Before and After a Move

Planning a move? On top of hiring movers and packers, you should also consider enlisting a handyman to help out with necessary repairs and home improvements. Don’t want to spend the money? We’d argue that hiring a handyman could actually end up saving you big bucks in the long run. For instance, hiring a handyman to deal with home inspection issues before moving out could prevent buyers from possibly suing the sellers once they move in or cancelling the real estate contract altogether. After the move, hiring a professional to make home improvements could also end up saving you from making expensive DIY mistakes.

A good handyman should have their own toolbox and be able to help with a wide range of jobs around the house. Make sure that the handyman you hire is licensed and insured. He or she should also have plenty of good reviews and references. Keep in mind that a truly talented handyman will likely be in demand and may have limited availability. Needless to say, you’ll want to schedule the handyman as soon as you know your move-out and move-in dates. Here are a few items we recommend hiring a trustworthy handyman to handle before and after a move.

Hiring a handyman before a move

When renting or selling, here are several items that your handyman should be capable of helping with before the move.

Patching holes
Removing pictures, wall art, hooks, shelves and other decor items from the walls? If so, you may want to think about patching up any unsightly holes in the walls prior to moving. A handyman should be able to remove all items professionally (read: without making it worse) in a matter of minutes and patch those holes in the wall with a bit of spackle.
Drywalling
Sometimes patching holes in the wall requires a more intense drywall repair job. This is where your handyman comes in. An experienced handyman should be able to repair broken and crumbling drywall with the right tools and equipment.
Repainting
From simple touch-ups to repainting full walls, you may need to repaint parts of the home before moving out. Unless you have the time to do it yourself, we recommend hiring a handyman to handle the job for you. Not only will hiring a handyman ensure the repainting is done professionally, but it will also free up your time to deal with other important moving to-dos.
Removing wall decor
Need help removing heavy decor? In addition to touching up those unsightly holes in the wall, a handyman can remove any and all wall art and decor in a professional manner.
Disassembling furniture
If you aren’t planning to hire movers to disassemble furniture, then we recommend enlisting a handyman to do this for before the move. From disassembling bedframes to taking apart large desks, having large furniture disassembled before a move will make it easier to move items yourself.
Plumbing problems
Don’t leave the buyers with major plumbing problems. If a toilet needs to be fixed or a leak needs to be eliminated, ask your handyman to take care of it for you. Most any handyman should be able to handle simple plumbing issues.
Fixing any inspection issues
Did you agree to fix any inspection issues? If so, make sure these home projects are finished before closing. Having a licensed handyman fix the problems will ensure that the closing goes off without a hitch.

Hiring a handyman after a move

Finished your move? Here are several items your handyman can help you with in the new home.

Furniture assembly
Need to assemble furniture? From setting up baby items (think: highchairs and gates) to putting together bedroom furniture, be sure to enlist a handyman to take care of all the assembly. This will ensure that it’s all done correctly.
Hanging wall art and decor
From making sure wall decor is level to using the right hanging hardware, you’ll want to enlist a professional to hang all wall art and decor.
Installing light fixtures
Most handymen are capable of doing some degree of electrical work. While you’ll need a real electrician to handle bigger projects, a handyman should be able to install a light, if needed.
Hanging curtains and window treatments
You could spend hours trying to hang rods and curtains – or you could pay someone to do it for you in a matter of minutes. With everything else you have going on during a move, it might be worth it to have a professional handle the job.
Caulking
Notice any gaps between windows and doors? Hire a handyman to caulk these gaps, and you’ll end with a more energy efficient house (and lower utility bills).
Carpentry projects
Not all handymen consider themselves carpenters – but many do. Examples of carpentry projects that a handyman may be able to handle include building breakfast nook seating or a bench, cutting shelves for a bookshelf, and creating crown moulding for a room.
Gutter cleaning
Standing on a tall ladder while cleaning out the gutter isn’t exactly the safest thing to do. Leave it to the professionals. Most handymen are perfectly capable of cleaning your new gutters for you.

More tips for finding a good handyman

Ask for recommendations from neighbors and friends
Ask for recommendations from neighbors through Nextdoor.com
Find a handyman thru TaskRabbit.com
Don’t hire anyone who isn’t licensed and insured
Check local online marketplaces, such as Angie’s List or Houzz
Ask about the handyman’s preferred method of payment (i.e. Venmo versus cash)
Give the handyman a list of to-dos beforehand
Don’t forget to inspect the work afterward

Ready to Move?

So you sold your home and found a reliable handyman. Congrats! Not it’s time to start planning your upcoming 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. For more help planning your move, check out Moving.com’s Move Planner tool, a comprehensive moving checklist that will meet all of your organizational needs this move. Best of luck and happy moving