I am on the MO side of the metro area. I have had a terrible time finding anyone who boths knows how to do things and is reliable.

Call your local realty companies and ask for the references. They will have a electrician, plumbers and general handy type people who they work with.

Finding a handyman is not the problem, but finding the right one for you will be trial and error. You will have to kiss some frogs before you find your prince.

James ... I also didn't have good luck with a local handymen company. $35 / hour seems reasonable for a dependable, honest and skilled worker. You mind sending me his number? I'm also interested in any plumbers, electricians and any other skills needed for home maintenance.

thanks! Peter

Handyman or craftsman? Don't hire the skilled guy for grunt labor.

(I've hired 147 contractors over the years)

"You get what you pay for" is an urban myth. You get what (who) you hire and you get what you specify.

My worst experiences have been when I bit the bullet and hired the expensive guy to get it done.

I pay

$8-9 for grunt labor, landscaping

$10-15 for technical stuff

$35 for licensed electrician

$.50 sf to lay laminate - comes out to about $15-20 per hour.

$40-50 to paint a room with closet.

I think the biggest thing is to try any new guy on a small task. If you like his work, let him do another task. Bigger and longer until you know his skills.

Have him quote the task in writing, not estimate.

Start at your Landlord Association.

Ask around like others said.

Ask a few pastors.

Ask a bigger contractor for any laid off workers.

Ask Manpower. They cannot work on ladders nor occupied homes.

Place a newspaper ad - Handyman, own tools, cell, truck. $15/hour". You'll be swamped with applicants.

Lots of dummies out there charging $35-50 per hour because they found a naive LL and are milking them until the LL figures out they're being taken. Also tons of scammers.

Make sure they sign Independent Contractor paperwork BEFORE they start.

Visit the jobsite EVERYDAY and photograph the progress.

My best ones are actually the less expensive guys. It seems the prima dona effect directly relates to the amount paid. My favorite is a retired guy who likes to tinker and has the old school, honest work ethic. Only wants 4-5 hours per day.

Get a sign at Lowes to plug into the ground. Get letters to read HANDYMAN WANTED XXX-XXXX. List your phone number.

You will get calls and meet people, some bums, some pros who charge alot, and a few old retirees looking for something to occupy their time (I prefer the last group). When they call, you can talk about hourly rates. It's the only way I could possibly keep all my places well-maintained.

I also have recently added the following signs: MOW THIS LAWN (used during rehab or a house between tenants). And last but not least: HOUSE CLEANER NEEDED XXX-XXXX