If you have a handyman in the house, the work runs smoothly in most cases. But which points do you have to consider when dealing with the work? In this article, we at VELUX will answer all your questions about your rights and obligations when dealing with a handyman. You will be surprised what regulations apply to this.
Leaving the handyman alone in the house – do you have to be at home when the handyman comes?
It is not always possible for you to be at home when you have an upcoming visit to a Handyman Northridge. It is almost impossible to always be on site in person, especially when it comes to lengthy manual work. You are also not legally obliged to be present at the work. However, it is worth leaving a telephone number for the handyman so that he can contact you immediately if he has any questions.
However, there are good reasons to be present if you have handymen in the house. This gives you the opportunity to quickly answer questions or check and approve the finished work.
When are handymen allowed to work in the house? Are there quiet times?
A handyman’s work is usually associated with noise. It is therefore important that you comply with the law in order to avoid trouble with the neighbors. Basically, the following regulations apply in most federal states:
- work is allowed between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. on weekdays
- work is not permitted on Sundays
- Work is prohibited after 10 p.m. and before 6 a.m
An official midday rest does not apply, despite popular belief. Nevertheless, it is advisable, in the course of being good neighbors, to at least stop loud work between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Do I have to tip a handyman?
In principle, you are not obliged to tip a tradesman. All services are settled with the official invoice. If you still want to say thank you for the good work, the handyman would of course be happy to receive a small subsidy.
Does the handyman have to take off his shoes in the apartment?
It’s understandable that you want to keep your home clean. That’s why you might take off your shoes yourself in front of the apartment door. The handyman is not allowed to do this. Occupational safety requires the wearing of safety shoes for most work. If you have a sensitive floor, cover it with painter’s fleece or plastic film. Alternatively, there are also plastic shoe covers that you can offer to a handyman. Make it as easy as possible for visitors to do their work and remove any objects that might get in the way. This also speeds up the work.
Is there a cleaning obligation for the handyman?
Decency and good manners in the trade ensure that handymen do not leave a construction site in complete chaos. Jobs like replacing a skylight can often be done quicker and with less mess than you might think. However, handymen on home visits are not responsible for meticulous building cleaning. Removing dirt with a broom is sufficient. There is no further cleaning obligation for the handyman. Please note that there may be extra costs for taking rubbish and construction waste with you, for example from the roof window installation. It can therefore be worth taking care of the disposal yourself.
Need to offer drinks and food to a handyman?
Many myths surround the topic of catering during handicraft work. How should I behave as a customer? Again, you are not obliged to provide food and drinks. Nevertheless, the workers are happy about water or coffee. For time-consuming work orders, refreshments such as cakes or sandwiches are welcome. Perhaps you can also hope that a satisfied handyman will carry out his work particularly thoroughly. Especially when working on the roof on hot summer days, the handyman needs a lot of water in order not to damage their health – you are welcome to support them!
Can you offer your help to a handyman?
You mean well when you offer help to tradespeople. The problem, however, is that in the event of an accident or damage, you are not covered. If you fall on your foot while carrying a heavy object, this can also have unpleasant consequences for the handyman. Let the worker do his own repairs. This is usually the quickest way to get there and you save money in the end. If the handyman still needs your help, he will tell you this independently.
What options do you have in the event of damage or incorrectly performed work?
Mistakes and mishaps can always happen. Most of the time there is no bad intention behind it. However, if you find any damage or notice that the work was done incorrectly, you should take action. Complaint about the faults immediately to the workshop, as they are liable for damage and incorrectly performed work. Document damage with pictures. The handyman has the right to make improvements. Only if the result is still unsatisfactory are you entitled to a cost reduction.
In any case, you should insist on an official order and a cost estimate in advance. Because it documents what needs to be done. In cases of hardship, you then have the opportunity to enforce your rights in court. Furthermore, it is advisable not to commission two trades at the same time, so that any damage that has occurred can be clearly assigned to one company.
What do you have to do if you are late?
If the handyman does not appear on time for the agreed appointment, you should call the company. As a rule, a delay of five to ten minutes is considered acceptable. If the delay lasts longer, you can insist on a new appointment without having to pay travel costs again.