How to Find a Good Repairman

Ask your family, neighbors and friends for referrals. Get the contact information for repair people whose work they found satisfactory. It is unlikely that they will not be truthful about the quality or the prices.

Get a homeowner's repair service membership. Depending on the area you live in, you may pay as little as $50 annually to join a consumer organization such as Angie's List. They rate contractors by area of specialization. With some national service companies, you may only need to call the organization rather than the repairman. They will then select a pre-qualified service person and schedule a convenient visit.

Use an online homeowner's repair and remodeling service such as Service Magic or Bob Vila's partner Renovation Experts. Once you register at Service Magic, you can review a company's history, prices and consumer reviews on the website. After you narrow your selection down, submit a request for one or more repair companies to contact you. At Renovation Experts, you can search for a specific type of repairman using your zip code.

Contact nearby vocational schools. Since they teach many of the building trades, the instructors may be available to perform repairs and have the appropriate licenses. Advanced students can be great contacts for some repair jobs. The school may also maintain a roster of its alumni. Ask for contact information and instructor references.

Contact companies that you see providing repair services in your neighborhood and your workplace. Get a business card and investigate their Better Business Bureau reports before you discuss your repair needs. If you do not find any unresolved complaints, use your best judgment. Try a small job to see if the repair person is a good fit.