According to Angi’s State of Home Spending 2023 report, homeowners spent an average of $13,667 on home services last year, with $9,542 going to home improvements, $2,458 to maintenance, and $1,667 to emergencies. The top 3 projects included regular maintenance (like lawn care and gutter cleaning), interior painting, and new appliance installation.
The motivating factor behind the spending used to be financial; homeowners were seeking a return on their investment (ROI). Since the pandemic, the top motivating factor has become “maintaining the condition of my home,” followed by “a desire to make the home more suitable to lifestyle and needs.”
Conquering Everyday Projects with Mr Handyman
To help homeowners take on these improvement and maintenance challenges, enter Mr. Handyman of Western Wake County. Owned by husband and wife Bruce and Robin Foster, their team currently boasts 5 skilled technicians ready to help homeowners tackle just about any maintenance and home improvement project.
Bruce characterized what their team does: “We’re there for those everyday projects where the homeowner says I tried it, it didn’t work, or I don’t know how to do that, or I don’t have the time to do that. Let’s find somebody to do that. That’s where we come in.”
at the Cary Chamber of Commerce Business Expo
Robin said, “It’s not just about the services we offer, but about how we go about it. We put a lot of effort into picking the right people for our team. We think of ourselves as one big family here. We have a great team of professional technicians plus two extraordinary ladies helping in the office. We all work well together, and that’s reflected in the relationship we aim to have with our customers. Whether our techs are stepping into a customer’s home, or a customer is chatting with our office staff on the phone, we strive to create a warm, hometown feel.”
Why Customers Choose Mr. Handyman
The sentiments expressed by Bruce and Robin align with the Mr. Handyman franchise mission: “Mr. Handyman is your one-stop shop for a wide range of home maintenance and repair solutions. Our service technicians are highly skilled craftsmen, so you know they will get the job done right.”
When you hire Mr. Handyman, you’re not getting the guy that rings your doorbell offering home repair services from the back of his pickup truck. You’re hiring a personal home improvement consultant and a trusted, knowledgeable resource. Choosing Mr. Handyman means opting for peace of mind. Their team of experienced technicians is not just skilled but also background-checked and insured, ensuring a blend of quality and security.
Bruce described what they look for when hiring technicians. “What’s really important to us is finding genuinely good people. They have to be pleasant to work with, and of course, we make sure to background check everyone, just to be safe. But after that, we’re looking for someone with around 10 years of experience who has that customer service touch, where they can communicate well, explain what’s happening, and offer advice.”
Robin added, “They absolutely need the right personality. Skills are crucial, but we can always teach more skills. For instance, if someone isn’t up to speed on tile work, we won’t throw them into a tiling project. But since most of the time they’re working solo, one person per home, they’ve got their own space. However, when they end up on a team project, that’s their chance to pick up new skills from each other, a real learning opportunity.”
“But here’s the thing: while you can expand someone’s skill set, you can’t just swap out their personality. They need to come through the door being polite, compassionate, and overall good to work with. That’s non-negotiable.”
The work this team of professionals performs is backed by the Mr. Handyman service guarantee, known as the “Neighborly Done Right Promise™”. It ensures that if the work is not completed to your satisfaction, contact them within 14 days, and they will come back and make it right at no extra charge. This further reflects their commitment to providing outstanding service.
Mr. Handyman Services
Mr. Handyman of Western Wake County offers extensive services, addressing nearly every household issue. From precise carpentry to seamless drywall repair and elegant bathroom remodeling, their services are designed to tackle everyday household problems efficiently. These offerings are not just repairs but improvements that enhance your living space and quality of life.
Bruce talked about some of their most common service calls. “The top item on our list is probably drywall repair. This could be for all sorts of reasons – maybe there was a leak, and now there’s a sagging ceiling needing attention, or perhaps there was a bit of an incident with a, let’s say, energetic child.”
“But that’s just the start. We also see a lot of wood rot, especially on a home’s exterior, as it ages. The homeowner hasn’t done anything wrong; it’s just what happens over time as materials wear down. And then, of course, there’s the usual stuff like replacing doors, installing ceiling fans, updating fixtures – the works. Plus, with homes getting older, there’s a growing need for aging-in-place services.”
Aging in Place: How Mr. Handyman Helps Make Homes Safer
“Aging in place” refers to the concept where older adults or individuals prefer to stay in their own homes and live independently for as long as possible rather than moving to senior living facilities or nursing homes. This often involves modifying their living environment to accommodate changing needs, ensuring safety, comfort, and mobility.
The couple described how the Mr. Handyman team can help with these projects. “What we try to do is collaborate with the homeowners or sometimes their kids to figure out ways to modify their homes. This makes it easier for them to keep living there comfortably. A typical project is installing grab bars in the bathroom next to the toilet and in the shower to help prevent falls,” said Bruce.
Robin added, “But that’s just part of it. There are all sorts of adjustments we can make, not only for the elderly but also for anyone dealing with physical disabilities. Maybe someone needs wider doorways to accommodate a wheelchair or lower light switches that are easier to reach. These little changes can make a big difference. We can handle all of these tasks. It’s part of what we do.”
Bruce is CAPS certified. CAPS stands for Certified Aging in Place Specialist. He’s trained to understand and recognize the situations or challenges a disabled or elderly person might encounter in everyday home life and ways to solve them, from installing grab bars and task lighting to more complex solutions like adding ramps and lowering countertops.
Most recently, Bruce completed the Age Safe Senior Home Safety Specialist program. The course provides actionable ways to help educate older adults and their family members on the issues of home safety, fall prevention, and personal safety.
At the franchise level, Mr. Handyman aims to be the first franchise where all the owners are qualified as Senior Home Safety Specialists. This means each franchise owner will be equipped to do assessments and work closely with customers, family members, physical therapists, and occupational therapists to formulate a plan that keeps customers living safely in their homes longer.
Solving Challenges for Commercial Clients
The Mr. Handyman team also helps commercial customers. They handle projects for professional offices, restaurants, and retail stores. They’re versed in the differences between residential and commercial building structures, and they’re able to take on specialized repairs like commercial doors, which are often more complex than those found in a home. They can install and perform repairs on suspended ceilings, restroom repairs, cubicle and office furniture assembly, and a myriad of other commercial specialties.
Mr. Handyman’s Glowing Reviews
The glowing testimonials from satisfied customers speak volumes about Mr. Handyman’s impact. From minor repairs to major renovations, clients consistently praise the professionalism, efficiency, and courtesy exhibited by the team. These reviews underscore the Western Wake team’s commitment to customer satisfaction.
Bruce relayed a story of one of their many satisfied clients. “Oh, let me tell you about one of our customers – she’s a regular now. So, a few years back, she had a water event in her townhome right after installing new engineered hardwood floors. We had to take everything up and found many problems underneath her house. We fixed a lot of it and brought in another company to help mitigate the moisture issue. We took care of everything from moving furniture to putting it all back together.”
“Then, exactly a year later, she called, ‘Bruce, it happened again!’ She travels a lot for her career. She’s hardly ever home and is always on the move. We had to move all her stuff into a storage pod, replace the floors again, and, this time, fix up some drywall, too. It was super frustrating for her, but she trusted us to handle it, especially while she was out of town. It’s rewarding knowing that she could trust and rely on us like that.”
The couple shared another example, this time regarding an older client who lives in an independent living community. “When she first moved in,” Robin said, “she had us hang mirrors, move furniture, and hang pictures and shelves. She had us do everything and get it just right. And then later she had us back again to re-arrange things. She’s moved 3 times, and at each new place, she has us come out whenever she wants to rearrange things. It’s been several years now, and she probably knows each of our technicians. She loves them, and when she calls, we know it’s her, we recognize her voice, and it puts a smile on everyone’s face.”
Mr. Handyman: Part of a Bigger Team
The duo joined the Mr. Handyman franchise and opened theirs after Bruce was laid off from his telecommunications job in 2010. He spent 28 years in the telecom field, working in a variety of roles, mostly customer facing.
The thing that drew Bruce to the home repair business was his experience volunteering to help victims of Katrina. After the 2005 tragedy, Bruce made 9 trips as a volunteer with groups from their church, Genesis United Methodist, to Mississippi. “In the early days, we were clearing lots and cutting out wet drywall, and hauling debris to the street. Later visits were about repairing homes or assisting with a build. I have many great memories of making those trips. It was during those trips that I really came to enjoy and appreciate the building and home repair craft, and that’s what drew me to Mr. Handyman.”
We asked Bruce, after more than 13 years with Mr. Handyman, what’s been the most surprising thing? He answered, “The most surprising part for me, though I sort of expected it, was how supportive the other franchise owners have been, whether they’re from Mr. Handyman or other Neighborly brands.”
“One of the great things about being part of the Neighborly family is, if a job requires a licensed professional, we can call on Mr. Rooter for plumbing, as an example, or Mr. Electric for electrical, or AIRESERV for HVAC. We know they’ll do a great job and help us take excellent care of the customer.”
Mr. Handyman is part of the Neighborly family of brands, which includes a host of home service franchises, with names like: WIndow Genie, Dryer Vent Wizard, Mr. Electric, Molly Maid, and others. Most, if not all of the Neighborly brands are represented in the Triangle.
Discover the Mr. Handyman Difference: Quality, Care, and Customer Satisfaction
What sets Mr. Handyman apart is not just the variety of services offered but the quality and care with which they are delivered. The team comprises skilled technicians who are not only adept at their craft but are also background-checked and insured, ensuring a blend of professionalism and peace of mind. The company ethos centers on creating a family-like atmosphere, reflected in the warm, personalized service provided to each customer.
Stories of efficient, courteous service and problem-solving prowess underline the team’s dedication to exceeding expectations. Mr. Handyman of Western Wake County stands out for its commitment to quality, customer satisfaction, and comprehensive services. Whether you’re looking to spruce up your home or require specialized commercial repairs, Bruce, Robin, and their team are equipped to meet your needs with professionalism and warmth.
Ready to transform your home or business with top-notch repair and improvement services? Contact Mr. Handyman of Western Wake County today and take the first step towards a better, more functional space.
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