Anyone use Mr. Handyman?

Question

Has anyone used Mr. Handyman in their area for flips? I just talked to the rep over the phone & was going to schedule an estimate walkthrough--until she gave me the prices over the phone. For "low-end," approximately $8500 for a bath, $35k (!) for the kitchen, and about the same for a basement finishing. From what I've estimated, I should be able to get everything done for $70k or less--but certainly not at those prices! To my knowledge (& quotes from contractors in the past), a bathroom should be closer to 6500-7k, a kitchen no more than 10k, etc.

If you have used Mr Handyman, are their rates usually higher than average like this? (Or, is this perhaps the reason investors don't use them, lol?)

If you have used Mr Handyman, are their rates usually higher than average like this? (Or, is this perhaps the reason investors don't use them, lol?)

George C. · Answer

Mr. Handiman is for folks who like to pay retail+, you know the ones who don't think they are getting quality if they don't overpay for something.

Vonetta Booker · Answer

I decided to also check out the members' directory of my county's Home Builders & Remodelers Association (HBRA), so hopefully I'll find someone through there.  Got three coming so far this week, lining 'em up! :-)

Dirk Smithson · Answer

BTW here in Utah handymen cant charge over 500.00 for a single project. that may have changed, but they have limits on what they can charge.

Dirk Smithson · Answer

In my state you have to be licensed as a handy man, I could probably walk into the state office and ask for a list of licensed HM and just call around..

Matthew Paul · Answer

I believe its a franchise , they are in the business to make money .   They are end user , or homeowner oriented .  Basically any home improvement company that has salesmen . office personel , advertising budget , is going to be more expensive .

Vonetta Booker · Answer

Thanks for your input, guys.  @Mike H., that was a great breakdown, by the way.

@Jon Holdman , at least in my area, the local Mr. Handyman is always quick to brag about how most of their workers are actual employees. But yeah, I get the sense they aren't really investor-friendly.

Nonetheless, I got the sense she was giving me the "blow-off" pricing.  In the past I had to cancel a scheduled estimate visit when the closing didn't happen--I guess they still had me in the system, so perhaps after the first cancellation (which was done in well enough time beforehand), they put me on some "do not work with" list, lol.  Oh, well--I was thinking of calling back to ask exactly how they break their prices down, but at this point I'm just going to move on.  Not gonna chase someone down to give them my $$!

I guess initially I was hoping they'd be a good fit, because around here it's been a struggle to find not just competent GCs--but ones who'll actually return your initial phone call!

Rob Caldwell · Answer

I tried a company like this once.  They are definitely not "investor friendly".  They are very reluctant to break down per item costs such as toilets, vanities, sinks, etc.  In fact, they wouldn't do it.  Told me not to worry that the job would be completed and that I would be satisfied with the results.  Their estimate was twice what my "investor friendly" contractor did it for.

Jon Holdman · Answer

I used them once back in 2008.  I'd agree with the comment that they are mostly aimed at retail buyers, i.e., homeowners who want some work on their house.  In my case, though, I had a very reasonable bid from them for some plumbing work.  The issue was with the person.  I think they are independent contractors and My Handyman is something of a referral service.  The plumber didn't have a current license in the city with the property, though he did have a state license.  The inspector told him to renew it when it did the rough inspections.  The plumber tells me to call for finals, and I do.  I show up that morning and he's still working on things.  Inspector shows up, license not renewed, and finds several minor corrections.  Plumber disappears.  Neither me nor the folks from Mr Handyman could find him.

Good news is the Mr Handyman folks assigned a different plumber who dealt with the city and got the inspections signed off.  So, I give them points for that.

Mike H. · Answer

I would ask them to break that down and see if they have any clue what they're charging per item. How do they come up with $8,500 for a bathroom? I'm assuming the existing plumbing thats there does not have to be removed.

So what are they charging for:1) A bathtub? $600 will get a decent one.2) Bathtub install? 1k?3) Toilet? $2004) Toilet install? $1505) Tile the floor? Labor and material $600 (8bucks a square foot for L&M on 75 sq ft which is a good size bathroom.6) Light fixture and ceiling fan light. $80 labor and 300 for lightbar and ceiling fan light 7) Faucet fixtures and install $200 mateirals. $100 install?Thats a little over 3k there.

Tile in the shower/tub surround? 1,200?

So 4,200.

What else are they hitting you with? Painting? $100 and thats generous.4,300

Even though there is no way you can use them, I would still ask them to itemize their estimate so you can see where they're coming up with those crazy numbers.

35k in a kitchen? You can get really nice RTA cabinets for 3k to 3,500. Lets go 4k evenInstall cabinets - 750?.Countertops 3 or 4k installed. Appliances - 3k to 4k if you are going high end maybe?Nice tile flooring at $8/sq ft (material and labor) times 200 sq ft? $1,600.

Faucet fixture - 250 plus 100 install?Light fixtures - 400 plus 160 install?And add another 1k for misc that I might be missing. Thats 17k there - which is about triple of the most I've ever spent on re-doing a kitchen. But how in the world are they getting 35k?

Thats just a company scam there. Maybe its the law of supply/demand. No available contractors so the ones that are working are pricing it at whatever they want. Or maybe its just the way your area prices and I could be way off.

But there's no way I'd pay 35k in a kitchen. I'd rather have a house with no kitchen at all then pay that kind of crazy money. Just on shear principle alone would I refuse to put in a kitchen if thats the number they hit me with.....

Anyone use Mr. Handyman?

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