apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I am in the same boat you are, and I'll tell you what I'll probably end up doing: going with the big franchise. I've heard that Mr. Handyman keeps a tight schedule and books in time increments. They're all bonded handymen, and I have heard they do good work. (check out the site-- mrhandyman.com) They only thing is the $$$-- the first two hours is I think $250.

I plan to have some stuff done this month, and would be happy to report back.

I would love to hear any report. The handyman who compelled me to write into A.T. finally decided to arrive at 4:30 this afternoon to supposedly finish the shed demolition he started on Monday. It's 5:15p, the back yard is a mess and the sun has set. HELP!

My landlord is a handyman for the city of Boston. Even when it's in their financial interest, he rarely shows up after just one call.

I think a lot of us are in the same boat. It took a month for the plumber to get out to my place to fix a hot water leak in my tub - I finally had to tell my landlord that I'd withhold the rent, and deduct the extra amount I was paying for my gas bill to heat the water that was going down the drain as well as lost wages from taking time off work.
He tried to use a handyman that was a flake (nothing unusual there - he always tries to skimp on things) and the guy would either not show, or would show up to say that he had another job, or it was his girlfriend's birthday, or some other excuse. It's so frustrating!

Have you tried Angie's List?
http://www.angieslist.com/AngiesList/

I'd been having a hard time getting reliable contractors to show up but also contractors who didn't ask about my personal life (do you live alone? is that sterling (silver)?, etc) and since I've been using the list recommendations... and this is still the early stages on what will be home reno projects for about 2 years... I feel like I'm having better experiences. I'm also learning how to do more home repairs myself, through a non-profit homeowner/builder education center (Berkeley, CA), just to avoid dealing with contractors more than I absolutely have to.

I'm coming to that same conclusion - that I might have to learn how to do the easier things by myself. I bought a book about basic wiring this past weekend so I can switch out a ceiling fan.... but I'm still dreaming of a reliable person!

Based on Sera's recommendation, I tried Mr. Handyman for a project yesterday (replacement of the exterior casing on a window), and I was SO happy with their work. Brandon, my Mr. Handyman, was young but experienced and did a great job. It worked out to about $100/hour plus $100 of materials, which seemed very reasonable to me. And they're insured and the work comes with a one-year guarantee. I'm sold!