Many Lower Mainland handymen are honest. The risky ones usually reveal themselves in the quote before any work happens. This guide walks through the red flags that mean you should keep shopping, and how my own written quote process handles each one.
1. The quote is verbal only
If you cannot get the price in writing, you do not really have a price. A verbal quote can turn into “the job was bigger than I thought” once the work starts. A serious handyman should be willing to put the estimate in email or a written form before the job begins.
2. Cash-only with a discount for paying upfront
A small cash discount is fine. A demand for cash upfront before any work is done is not. Real handymen carry liability insurance, run a real business, and accept e-transfer or cheque. If someone insists on cash and pressures for a deposit before the job, walk away.
3. No license number, no insurance proof
A legitimate Lower Mainland tradesperson should be able to share a business license number and insurance details. If you ask and they hesitate, that tells you something.
4. The price is way under the others
If three handymen quote in a similar range and one number is far below the rest, ask what is missing. It may be prep, materials, cleanup, or the part of the job that gets added later as a change order.
5. They can't explain what they'd actually do
Ask the handyman to describe the steps. A prepared one can walk you through prep, materials, the actual work, and cleanup. “I will take care of it” is not enough detail for a repair you are paying for.
Every job I take gets a written scope before I start, so the price is agreed in advance and the list stays the list.
What I give you upfront
- Free written estimate by email after photos and details are reviewed
- Business # 79853 7957 and GST # 79853 7957 RT0001 on every invoice
- Insured, and I do every job myself
- $150 minimum per job, no hourly meter games
- Itemized invoice with materials and labor broken out
- Come-back-free workmanship promise attached to the repair
