Mr. Handyman of Oak Park & River Forest

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I hired from this location for originally for a few things, but ultimately for all day. The technican was Brian who was very friendly and personable. It wasn't until later that evening we found the first of several issues with his work.

1) We had him replace two ceiling fans. Although different makers, the remotes for each fan also operated the other. The technician come back to change the settings of one. This is a toss up as to who's responsibility it should have been to check for this issue.

2) I had a light switch on the first and second floor that operated a single hallway light. Both worked. I biught a quieter switch for the 2nd floor. After it was replaced, we later found out that it didn't work as it had. He had to come back and fix this as well.
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There were other things I had the technician do where I have a variety of responses for.

1) I wanted the 1st floor tub/shower hardware replaced with a new one I purchased. When trying to take things apart, he found it was too frozen and couldn't be done without damaging the mixer. I told him I needed that shower working as the one upstairs was not working. He took a look at the one upstairs, did whatever it was that he did, and got it to work, somewhat. He said he could get the 1st floor one working by replacing the cartridge (to stop the leaks). In trying to do so, he broke one of the water pipes in the mixer. Instead of telling me, he turned off the water to that tub/shower, said he couldn't fix it and the mixer unit itself would have to be replaced, This would require extra work that could only be done after I cleaned out a closet. The issue was that he broke the mixer and did NOT tell me. Had he not fixed the 2nd floor one, it would have been much worse.

2) I expected some professionalism in regards to how someone protects a customers home and belongings when doing work which might be somewhat dirty. When he replaced the ceiling fan in our bedroom, he put the fan on our bed. No plastic underneath it. The only reason I knew this is, when he was downstairs, he said he forgot to bring it down and would I want him to do so (I refused).

3) I had put in the ceiling fan on the first floor myself years earlier, so I understood the wiring some. When he was putting it up, he seemed somewhat confused with the wires. I make sure I identify which wires are hot, and not. He didn't, and took time trying to determine that with a tester. It added time, but I never noted this in any complaint. Except after seeing that I should have thought the same could be true when he replaced the light switch on the second floor.

4) I "asked" if he could fix the door alignment for our rear entry door (angled some due to room settling). If not, then a quote to do same. Instead, without asking if okay, he repositioned the strike plate lower so the door would lock properly. The alignment is still an issue. I gave up trying to clarify that issue with him.

5) Before he left that day, he asked about coming back and replacing the mixer unit after I cleared out the closet. I indicated I might want to get the bathroom remodeled instead. He said they do that too. And we discussed for over an hour my desire, his thoughts, etc. It wasn't until some of these other issues came to light that I realized what he charged me on that day for time spent on this discussion. Neither him nor his boss ever got back to me with a written estimate.

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I will say that when I called back that next day and mentioned the fan remote and light switch problem, the same technician was dispatched to resolve them (which he did).

I know these people aren't true masters of all trades. I do expect them to know enough for the rate charged. The technician did say they are required to have at least 15 years experience. Hmmm.