What Happens If A Handyman Damages Your Property: We Discuss

Hiring someone to do work on your home involves a high level of trust. You rely on them to do the best possible job and leave your home in better condition than they found it. It can be distressing and upsetting if a handyman damages your property rather than the improvements you hoped for.  

Even the best handymen will make mistakes at times – after all, they’re only human. It is essential to keep calm, understand your rights and know what steps to remedy the situation. Most trustworthy handymen will be very keen to resolve the issue to everyone’s satisfaction.  

Remain Calm 

The critical first step is to remain calm. This can be easier said than done when facing damage to your property, but getting angry or upset will not help resolve the situation. If you don’t feel you can have a calm conversation with your handyman at that time, ask them to come back another time to discuss the next steps after they have made your property safe.  

It would help if you tried to calmly survey the damage and assess what needs to be done. Often, damage may look worse than it is, so try to look at it with a critical eye. It may also help to get a second opinion from a different handyman or contractor.  

Talk To The Handyman 

Once you are calm enough to talk to your handyman, have an open discussion with them about what went wrong and how they might be able to fix it. If the damage is beyond what they can repair or if you don’t feel comfortable using their services anymore, ask them how to provide you with restitution to hire another handyman to fix and complete the work. It is crucial to be civil in these discussions to give all parties the best chance of a good resolution.  

Consider Claiming With Your Home Insurance 

Depending on the level of home insurance you have, you may be able to claim on your insurance. However, many home insurance policies don’t cover damage done during renovations or alterations, which is why you should always ensure that you choose a contractor with the correct insurance.  

Choose A Handyman With The Proper Insurance 

Before you hire any handyman, you must ascertain that they have the proper insurance. It would be best to look for handymen with liability insurance that will cover any unintentional damage they do to your property. It may also help to look for handymen that have full handyman insurance so that you can be more confident that they take their responsibilities seriously.  

File A Claim  

Once you have ascertained whose insurance you can make a claim through, you should file your claim. It is worth noting that this can sometimes take time to payout, and you should ensure that you have plenty of supporting documentation for your claim, including photos of the damage and estimates for the repairs.  

A handyman’s reputation is essential for their business, so you may also find that they are willing to do repair work free of charge or payout their pocket for someone else to complete the work for you. This is something you should discuss with your contractor before you make a claim.  

Use Small Claims Court As A Last Resort 

If your contractor is unwilling to work with you to find a resolution or does not have insurance, you can take the matter to small claims court, depending on the level of damage and cost to repair. Small claims court is a cost-effective alternative to taking legal action through a lawyer. It is essential to understand the small claims court process before you proceed and ensure that you have an eligible claim to make.  

Find A Handyman You Can Trust 

The next time you are looking for a handyman, or if you are finding a handyman to fix the damage caused, it is crucial that you do your research and finds one competent and trustworthy. As mentioned above, it is not necessarily true that a handyman that causes damage is incompetent. Still, it can significantly help your peace of mind to find a handyman that you can trust.