When you are buying out of state investment properties, how do you go about finding a contractor or handyman for any repairs or improvements needed?

Referrals from other trusted contractors.

The last handyman I found was through somebody right here on BP.

I've tried different methods.. All have been successful to a degree.. 1) Craigslist.... I've actually had pretty good results on value workers who do decent work for cheap prices. 2) Locally owned Hardware Stores.... I find the local stores know all the contractors and workers and tend to give pretty solid referrals.. 3) Good workers tend to give good referrals. Good carpenters tend to know good painters, plumbers, etc... It's just part of being in the business. It's a constant balancing act of managing reliable workers that are economical... Many will do great work starting out and eventually get sloppier and less reliable over time. Best word of advice is don't pay anybody up front unless it's for supplies you personally pick up and pay for.

this is a good topic and has useful information. i tried angie's list and they were more expensive. i try not to tell them where i got their number. this way they dont gauge their bid on who referred them to me. sometimes they think i am a lock and give me a higher bit because "so and so gave me your number... i just smile and let them take a hike.

Ask for referals from other investors, and realtors. When you are there stop in on other rehab projects and talk to the contractors. This is like hiring for any position, you have to vette a lot of people to find a great one.

getting referrals from the store employees is hit or miss. I go to contractors only stores and get referrals from them (or call a windows wholesaler that do not sell to homeowners and ask them for a few names). even that is a hit or miss since the contractors think they already have you as a client no matter what price they give you. I recently went to a siding/gutter place and asked them for a few names, and they said "Can't think of anyone". That tells you how well they know their contractors. Brian, i just did attic insulation myself. With the rebate from the local gas company, i am actually making money.

Craigslist is a mixed bag. I've had good luck with Service Magic the one time I used them and that was by accident really. I think the most imporant thing is to just not pay until they are done if you haven't worked with them before. If they need supplies, tell them to round them up and you will swing by and pay for it yourself. Recently, I had some guys come out to spray some attic insulation. They said that the machine they rent from home depot was broken so they would have to come back. They did some prep work (picking up some stuff in the attic and also hanging duct work which is probably unnecessary) and then wanted payment for materials and what they just did. I told the guy I'd pay him when he was done and if he needed cash for materials I could pay for them and he could pick them up. He was real cool and professional about it...............then never showed up again. He also did not return my phone calls. I'm pretty sure that guy was totally trying to scam me and I'm glad I did not give him any money. I really didn't even have a distrust for him either. I found another guy on CL and he came out and did a great job for a good price. Other investors who have already acquired good valued labor is who I seek out for referrals. I fing that many investors really don't have a go-to guy. They are hard to come by. Not of any help to anyone that doesn't live around me, but my neighbor is an excellent carpentar and works with skill for 20/hour. He will help me out a little cheaper. In fact, he will be rebuilding a 50 ft fence section for me this week for about 200-250 bucks, I buy the material.

I've actually used craigslist on several occasions in different states and have been very happy with results. If you find one there, research to check out that state licensing is current, reviews, etc. Just recently found a great electrician and plumber in Chesapeake, and found a painter 3 years ago in Raleigh that I used in all 3 homes there as he works at reduced rate on weekends when his boss doesn't need him, brings all his own ladders & supplies and even fixes drywall when needed. Emphasize checking licensing on actual state's websites, they usually have a list where you can plug in a name or have a number to call. Have found that even if they say they are licensed and insured on craigslist, many of them are not, so do your research first.

A good idea is to call local home improvement stores (Ace Hardware, local small lumber yards) and ask if they can refer contractors or subs. Give them a few of your expectations, Ask who they would use. Even so, there may still be some trial and error. My father has been a general contractor for 30 years and he is still looking for decent plumbers. Good luck!

i am having a very, very hard time finding reasonably priced contractors. i have been working with 1 contractor and he is not giving me deals at all. Right now i have asked him to give me price to hang 11 cabinets and the price is $800. HD charges $690, he is charging more. i gutted 8x6 bathroom and to hang drywall and mud, he is asking $1200. that's nuts. and he has already gotten so much business from him that i was expecting a better price. 80% of the contractors either do not come to the appointment, do not bid on the job or do not get back to me on time. but then they complain about the economy and how they are not making money. after they finish complaining, they tell me that they are taking a vacation for the next few days, so my quote will come next week. unreal....

How do you find contractor or handyman?How do you find contractor or handyman?

Back

Resources & Media

Resource Hub Bookstore Blog Guides Pro-Exclusives PRO Podcasts Pro Partnerships

Events & Training

BPCON2025 Webinars Upcoming Events Free Courses

Strategies

How to Manage Your Rental Property How to Operate a Short-Term Rental How to Passively Invest in Real Estate How to House Hack How Does the BRRRR Method Work How to Flip a House How to Invest in Commercial Real Estate How to Invest in Real Estate How to Invest in Multifamily Real Estate How to Build Wealth

Invest More Confidently

Join the real estate investing community that’s helped thousands of people achieve financial freedom.

Start Free Trial

The Podcast Investors Trust

No fluff. Just deals, strategies, and lessons from the front lines of today's market.

Listen Now

Back

Pick Markets

Market Finder - NEW PRO Picking a Market Workshop PRO Picking a Market Worksheet Top 100 Cash Flow Markets Market Insights - Sunbelt Region

Market finder

Pinpoint the best real estate market for your specific goals with expert recommendations and real-time data on appreciation, affordability, rent-to-price ratio, and more.

Pick Markets

Pro membership

Get unlimited access to tools and resources that make it easier to find, analyze, and manage deals with confidence!

Upgrade to Pro

Back

Find Deals

BiggerDeals Off-Market Deal finding PRO Real Estate Syndications Investor-Friendly Agents Find Foreclosures Community Listings (FSBO) Business Directory

NEW! Find Cash-Flowing Deals Fast

Search nationwide listings with built-in cash flow analysis.

Find Deals

Invelo - off market deals

Scale your portfolio with off-market deals.

Explore Now

Back

Calculators

Rental Property Calculator PRO Rehab Estimator PRO Rent Estimator PRO BRRRR PRO Fix & Flip PRO Short-Term Rental PRO Sell vs. Keep PRO Landlord Insurance Calculator by Steadily All Calculators

Rental property calculator

Is it a good deal? Run your numbers like a pro with this simple yet powerful calculator.

Run the Numbers

Rent estimator

Understand how much rental income you can expect based on recent reports and data for your specific property.

Run Report

Back

Manage Properties

Managing Properties 101 Find a Property Manager RentRedi Property Management Software PRO Baselane Automated Bookkeeping & Banking PRO Property Management Tools Ask a Management Question Finding Tenants Screening Tenants PRO Leases + Landlord Forms PRO Property Insurance Property Maintenance / Rehab PRO

Property management software

Manage tenants, tasks, and your entire portfolio with one simple tool.

Activate Now

Property manager finder

Find reliable property management partnerships that last.

Find a Property Manager

Back

Plans & Pricing

Pro Membership Business Membership

Try PRO for 7 days completly free

Avoid mistakes and make informed decisions with Pro.

Start Free Trial

Grow your business

Promote your business on BiggerPockets and make quality connections with the right investors.

Sign Up Now

Back

For You

Newest Unanswered My Discussions Followed Discussions Followed Categories Followed Locations Followed People

General Real Estate

General Real Estate Investing Starting Out Deal Analysis Buying & Selling Business & Marketing Landlording Property Management Reviews & Feedback

Real Estate Strategies

House Hacking BRRRR Short-Term Rentals Mid-Term Rentals Multi-Family Fix & Flip Other Strategies

Finance & Financing

Lending Creative Finance Personal Finance Taxes & Legal Issues

News & Announcements

Official Site Announcements Market Trends & Data Real Estate News & Current Events Pro Exclusive Area PRO

Events & Networking

Events & Meetups Classifieds

Back

All Books

Best Sellers Browse All New Books & Pre-Orders Bundle & Save Books for Beginners

Unlock hidden potential in every property and maximize returns

This is your creative breakthrough guide to escaping investment paralysis and unlocking hidden profit in any market.

Get Your Copy

Build a Cash-Flowing Glamping Business with High Equity Upside

Whether you're starting from scratch or expanding existing hospitality operations, learn the practical frameworks needed to capitalize on the growing demand for upscale outdoor experiences.

Learn More

How do you find contractor or handyman?

Most Popular Reply