How do you guys find help in the area to get things done around the house? (Fort Lauderdale: insurance)

[xezfahl]

My mom is getting older and I can't seem to handle the wave of all the things to do around the house while still being effective at my job. I can pay someone to do it so I can get back to work and still be able to manage but it seems like more and more my time is the limiting resource and not the other stuff. When I have to fix stuff it usually goes like this: Research Online > Try Something > Doesn't work > Research again > Try it again but better > It works. Its great to be able to fix things but sometimes it helps to just have an extra pair of hands when you can't micromanage each problem to adnoseum to fix it properly. So its really weird to me that into my adult life I have no idea how to get a good price on someone who is decent enough to get the job done.

Whenever I call services and get them to come out its always a gas fee or quote run or whatever just to get them to come out and then they charge standard rates by the job and not really by the amount of hours they spend (minus the initial coming out fee).

I thought it would be easier than this. Like I have some work to do, ask if the person can do it - they say yes/no/will try. Charge me an hourly rate for their time. Now it seems they just ask top dollar regardless of the job and its based off of some table their office setup that covers everything.

Honestly, if I can google it and I can fix it myself, all I need is extra pair of hands not "insurance and liability coverages say this and that and we have to do it this way" kind of attitude.

I know I can go to Craigslist to find an informal and simpler experience where we just talk about the problem but there is a lot of anonymity involved in Craigslist. I don't know how safe that is or is that just my incorrect assumption?

Anyways, if you guys have a leak behind the fridge, window doors that aren't completely sealing shut or need to maintain a hose faucet, what do you guys do to get the good honest people who are looking to exchange some labor for cash and do a good job?

[TnRusty]

Try Thumbtack. I have used it in the past with great results. You can also try Nextdoor.com.

[Cindi Waters]

Just read this post because I am looking for some services in Fort Lauderdale. I live there. I have used guys from craigslist without any trouble. Painting, electrician. Yes, I am a little nervous now lately, but a few years ago I had no problem. You can also use a repair company (air conditioning, electrical, etc.) to service your a/c, refrigerator, plumbing problems. It's not cheap but you can research the yearly payments. Won't give you the names of the companies but they're there. I use one even though haven't needed anything for the past few months. If my refrigerator or toilet breaks, they'll come and fix it or replace it. My next step (I live in a condo) is to ask my neighbors for recommendations of guys that can help. I guess I am a little reluctant to do that, but I need to. A neighbor helped recently to take down a heavy chair for garbage pickup. I hope that helps. Ask around.

[Tigger84Ag]

Use next door people will recommend handyman that have worked out, or electricians, plumbers, etc. I always hire from there.