Hiring the Right Home Repair Help
How do you find the right repairperson for the job? This chart provides the search terms to use.

By +Don Vandervort, HomeTips

Finding the right professionals to help with your home repairs is key to getting a quality job and good price. Many different types of tradespeople specialize in working on various house components, systems, and mechanical devices. If you’re not sure where to look, start with your telephone directory or the Internet under “Contractor.” There you will find a wide variety of tradespeople, such as “Contractor, Concrete,” “Contractor, Ventilation,” and so on. 

Problem
Telephone directory or Internet listings
Air conditioning
Air Conditioning Services, Electrical Contractors, Heating & Ventilating Contractors, Air Conditioning Contractors
Appliances
Appliance Repair Services, Appliance Refinishing

Cabinets

Cabinetmaking, Woodworking, Carpenters, Kitchen Cabinets, Cabinet Refacing/Refinishing
Carpets
Carpet Installers, Carpet Dealers, Carpet Repair, Carpet Cleaners
Chimney
Chimney Services, Brick Masons, Chimney Sweeps
Countertops
Countertop Installer (by type of material), Countertops
Doors & windows
Window Companies, Door Companies, Carpenters, Handyman, Fix-It Service
Drains
Plumbing Contractors, Septic Tanks & Systems, Sewer Contractors
Electrical systems
Electric Utilities, Electric Contractors, Electricians
Foundation
Concrete Contractors, Waterproofing Contractors
Garage door
Garage Doors; Doors, Overhead
Gutters
Gutters & Downspouts, Handyman, Fix-It Service
Heating /cooling systems
Heating Service, Heating & Ventilating Contractors, Air Conditioning Contractors
Locks
Locksmiths
Lighting
Lighting Dealers, Electric Contractors
Natural gas
Gas Utility, Appliance Repair Service
Paint
Painting Contractors, Spray Painting & Finishing
Pests
Exterminating & Fumigating, Pest Control, Insect Control
Plumbing systems
Plumbing Contractors, Handyman, Fix-It Service, Plumbers
Plumbing fixtures
Fixture Dealer, Plumbing Contractors, Plumbing Fixture Parts
Remodeling
General Contractors, Remodeling Contractors
Roof
Roofing Contractors
Security systems
Burglar Alarm Systems
Sewer
Sewer or Septic Contractors, Septic Tanks & Systems
Siding
Siding, Painting Contractors, Building Cleaning, Exterior
Skylight
Roofing Contractors
Smoke damage/odor
House Cleaning
Telephone system
Your telephone company, Telephone Installer, Telephone Equipment
Tile
Tile Ceramic Contractors & Dealers
Ventilation
Heating Service, HVAC Contractors, Ventilating Contractors
Vinyl floors
Flooring Installers
Wallboard
Handyman, Fix-It Service, Carpenters, Painting Contractors
Wallpaper
Painting Contractors, Wallcovering Contractors, Decorating Companies
Water heater
Water Heater Repair, Plumbing Contractors
Wood floors
Floors, Laying, Floors, Refinishing & Resurfacing
Woodwork
Carpenters, Handyman, Fix-It Service, Floor Waxing & Cleaning

For problems with products or materials—such as appliances, flooring, or carpeting— always check your warranty before hiring a repairperson. By using factory-authorized servicepeople, you may save the cost of the repair if the material is under warranty. And if you don’t use authorized servicepeople, you may void your warranty.

Copyright © 1997-2012, Don Vandervort, HomeTips, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.




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