Homeowners are often overwhelmed by the sheer amount of upkeep that comes along with owning a home. Pipes leak, toilets overflow and drains get clogged on a somewhat regular basis. Oftentimes, these problems are too complicated for the average person to fix. It is important to have someone you trust that you can call to help you out when these problems arise. It can be hard to decide who to call when you have a household problem. Should you stick with a professional or call an unlicensed handyman? There are no formal training programs that need to be taken before becoming a handyman. Handymen often learn on the job and do not work on jobs that need a high level of skill. Usually, handymen do jobs that homeowners can do themselves; it is just a matter of getting motivated or making enough time to do them. A professional contractor goes through a lot of training and does a lot of studying for their job. There are apprenticeships and formal training classes that they need to get through before they service your home. Professionals spend years working under someone until they demonstrate the skills and abilities to be able to do their job alone. What are some of the differences between a professional contractor and a handyman? Contractors Are Always Studying Contractors, unlike handymen, are always on top of the newest technologies and methods used to implement them. They need to pass state mandated tests to make sure that they are knowledgeable and able to perform up to a certain standard. Handymen, who learn on the job, do not need to prove any skills or knowledge. They may not be up to date on how to fix your problems effectively. If you have an important job that needs to be completed right the first time, then it is important to call someone who knows what they are doing. This is extremely important for homeowners who need things done up to state regulated safety codes. Safety codes and rules are constantly changing; it is very important to hire someone who has a license and is up to date on the latest industry news. Contractors Offer Warranties A professional contractor needs to stand by their work. When you hire a professional, you do not have to worry about them not answering the phone if something goes wrong at your home. They are licensed professionals who make their living by helping homeowners. Therefore, they do not offer shoddy service like many handymen do. Handymen, who are not licensed, often just do their job as a hobby or do it because they are not skilled enough to work professionally. They do not offer warranties; and if they do, homeowners never know if they are going to honor them. It is tough to find a good handyman because they really do not care if the customer is satisfied. Oftentimes, they are in business just to make a quick buck. Peace Of Mind With A Contractor When you hire a professional contractor, you can rest assured that all your work will be done up to code. You also know that there is recourse if something goes wrong. Professionals are insured and bonded against anything that might go wrong with a project. You do not need to worry about something being done wrong and then having to pay more to get it corrected. When you work with a handyman, you do not have the luxury of insurance. If they do something wrong, or get injured on the job, then you end up paying out-of-pocket. If a handyman hurts himself on your property, you have to pay all of their medical bills. It is better to hire someone who is licensed, bonded and insured.