Age UK Handyman service

My husband does a handyman service doesn’t charge more than £15 an hour. Also gives a fixed price for any work required if requested. He gets lots of reffferals sometimes has a waiting list but it keeps him busy.

Unless it’s changed recently traders just pay to be put on the list. Same as on the local council list.

Best to ask around people you know!

Even REPORTED!

REPORTEC

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I use a local man he had a card in a shop window. I took a chance and rang him up he does all sorts for me. My son would do it but he works so many hours I don’t like idea of him doing it on his day off. He always looks shattered at the min because his place as a shortage of staff. He’s always telling me off for paying someone

Hetty58

The local council here have a handyman service for us 'oldies' - not that I've tried it. Anyone can advertise on Nextdoor, though - so I'd use Checkatrade instead - if I had too. I prefer to do things myself as I'm very fussy.

Trades people don't advertise on Next Door. Local people ask on there for recommendations. Personally my experience with trades from Next Door has been excellent. Because they work locally they have their reputation to uphold. My reliable group of workers include a plumber, white goods engineer, electrician, carpenter, gas service engineer, several handymen and Waste disposal man. Because I stick with them they respond quickly and efficiently. I always feel safe and comfortable with them when they are working in my home.
Naturally I recommend these people on Next Door and local Facebook.

I would not use Age Uk, I don't think the tradespeople very good. Recommendation is best.

A few months ago, I faced some issues with my bathroom's plumbing, so I made a lot of inquiries online to book a handyman in Edinburgh, UK. However, I found it very difficult to find a professional and experienced handyman in Edinburgh because some of them had scheduling issues or some were not within my budget. But in the end, I hired Umega Home Repairs, an experienced handyman in Edinburgh. They were able to fix my plumbing issues in a timely and cost-effective manner. I was very impressed with their professionalism and quality of work. I would definitely recommend them to anyone in need of a handyman in Edinburgh.

The local council here have a handyman service for us 'oldies' - not that I've tried it. Anyone can advertise on Nextdoor, though - so I'd use Checkatrade instead - if I had too. I prefer to do things myself as I'm very fussy.

£35 an hour AgeUK what an absolute rip off, I bet it’s even more here in south East . We have nextdoor.com and tend to go by the recommendations.

An organization like Age UK arranging repairs would have to have liability insurance, this is probably quite high, especially if semi skilled handymen are being used.

A plumbing or building repair that goes wrong could cause a lot of damage, if the handy man wasn’t insured Age UK would be liable. Unless it’s really simple use a qualified tradesman.

It’s a great idea but does sound very expensive, especially if it’s aimed at people on a pension. The guy in our village that does handy work for us has virtually rebuilt my house and garden and he could charge far more. My cousin does similar work in another area. When my marriage ended I realised I’d never appreciated living with someone who could fix just about anything and, even though I’m reasonably handy my house gradually fell apart.

AGE UK tend to offer so many services but when it comes to it they cannot supply the labour or suitable labour. As many of you have learnt, they also have many limitations as to what they are allowed to do. It is much much better to get local recommendations on FB, Next Door or similar local forums. I put one on yesterday for a plumber and had 8 within minutes one who came out immediately and was very knowledgable and delightful. Never use "Trusted Trades People" they advertise themselves and can say anything, I have had disastrous results twice with them. They also like cash rather than BACS or similar proper ways or payment. So you have no comeback on the work done at all.

AreWeThereYet

We have a nextdoor site and Facebook site for local areas but gave up using them. The replies are all from people who either work for or are supporting a business, rather than people recommending a business they have used. So funny to see the same list of responses all telling you how brilliant someone is - I once tried to get in touch with some of these brilliant contractors and couldn't even get a call back.

Same here. We've used several people recommended by local groups and the work has been less than satisfactory. It's hard to know if these are genuine customers or mates of someone who wants the work.

Another vote for Nextdoor here - lots of recommendations for reliable tradespeople from people who have actually used their services.

We needed to purchase a new electrical appliance for our kitchen and decided to shop locally rather than going to C****S and we just asked if they could recommend a tradesman to install it; they were more than happy to give us the names of two local electricians.

Go o your Nextdoor App.e excellent for DIY advice recommendations. Companies.

I used AgeUK a coule of years ago when I moved into my new flat. Never again. They don't use qualified tradespeople, just anyone who "volunteers" and don't seem to check capability. I had blinds put up. They lasted less than 12 months and started to come down. When I complained to AgeUK they were dismissive and said they didn't guarantee any work done through them, even though I had paid them over £50 for the work. Fortunately, by then, I had got to know neighbours who could recommend reliable local tradespeople.

Age UK Wandsworth,where I live charge £30 per job. They are subcontracted by the local council and NHS to do certain jobs for free such as changing light bulbs. By having this contract they block other charities from helping people. for example I have connections with the services but the British Legion are blocked from my area so that Age UK Wandsworth can have all the jobs and the money. I looked into this some years ago and took the matter up with local Councillors but none were interested. I try and do what people on this thread do and use people recommended on Nextdoor. It can work out cheaper as the people are often willing to do several little jobs whereas Age UK charge for each job. Problem is safety and the charities are only supposed to use people who have been checked by the police. I once had a problem with a right weirdo who would not leave my house. Fortunately I had a lovely next door neighbour who was doing her garden and threatened the man with a pair of garden shears! He got the message and ran off but it is not an experience I want repeated.

£900+ for a day’s work including materials for a doorstep? You’re happy with that? We’re currently having our house redecorated by a recommended local painter and decorator - £250 a day.

Currently waiting for Age UK to confirm when their man in my area is available. I contacted them shortly after moving house in May.
We have many jobs that we'd like done, hanging coat hooks in the hallway, putting up plate shelves in the kitchen to display a large collection of decorative plates, but most importantly building a step to cover front and back doorsteps which are currently half moon shaped and quite steep. Fitting 6 door handles.
Total bill £900+ including mileage for 'a full day's work.
Bear in this includes provision of the materials for the steps, (I've sourced the door handles and the plate shelves myself) insurance and CRB checks, and the labour. I'm happy for the higher cost to cover me should anything happen, I have the security of knowing the person they send isn't a crook, and has been tried and tested. You don't get that peace of mind with 'a guy from FB or Next door '

Guessing you live down south.

I looked at their service.

In my area it was £40/£45 an hour.

Went onto Nextdoor app and found a huge amount of recommendations of local handymen.

Much cheaper