Savvy Senior: How to Find and Hire a Good Handyman or Contractor

Dear Savvy Senior,

What’s the best way to find a good handyman or tradesman to do some work around the house? I’ve have had some bad luck lately with unprofessional workers who do shoddy work and charge too much.

Frustrated Senior

Dear Frustrated,

Hiring a good home repair handyman can be a bit of a crapshoot. How do you find someone who will return your calls, show up on time, do the job right and finish it, all at a fair price? Here are some tips that can help.

Who to Call

While it may seem obvious, whom you call on for help will depend on what you need done. If, for example, you have a smal...