The Four Corners of the Handyman

Tools, materials, support, and hardware.  These make up the handyman's quartet.  

Tools; you don't get too much accomplished if you don't have good tools.  They gave to be reliable, durable, capable, and just as importantly,  profitable.   A handyman's tools not only have to work well enough to do the jobs needing done so that they pay for themselves, they have to be durable enough to make a living from having them.

Materials; From dimensional lumber, and drywall, to caulk and concrete.  The things we use to make and fix things have to stand up to the task.  The handyman has to select the materials that best fit the needs and interests of the customers.  

Support;  Probably the least appreciated  or planned for these are the things that the handyman uses to get the jobs done without breaking themself and more often than not, by themself.   It's our second or third pair of hands.  Our lift helpers and our back helpers.  Portable sawhorses, worktable, stands, ladders, dollies,  and much more.  These are the things that help us do more and do it safer.

The fourth is Hardware;  Things ranging from pull handles, drawer slides, and hinges to screws, nails, and cam locks. Fasteners and attachments alike make the things we work on do what they do best.  I mean, what good is a door that don't swing open?  A drawer that doesn't slide?  A chair that doesn't sit flat?  Hardware is the devil in the details that will not be ignored.

In my way of doing things, each of these are equally important.  I would not use the wrong materials on a customer project any more than I would use the wrong hardware.  That's not what they are paying for.

I also know what I need to do a job right.  "Right" being achieving the intended and desired results as well as not setting myself up for failure.  Failure being not able to do the job right or injuring myself or someone else.  This is where using the right tools, the right way and having the support equipment on hand is just as important.

For me. "Right" also has an ethical element. I don't overcharge more than the job is worth.  I don't overcharge for materials or hardware.  I use the most appropriate materials and hardware for the job.  I don't make promises I can't or don't intend to keep.  I don't take jobs that lowball but expect top rate.  I just don't take the job if I can't or won't do it for the price they offer.

People already have a pretty low opinion of a handyman in general.  Hackjob artists, crooked, unethical.  These are a lot of the attitudes I get confronted with.  Other attitudes are that a handyman will work for practically no money at all, taking whatever few coins are tossed our way.

It's true that a lot of people calling themselves a handyman fit those descriptions, and consequently ruin our reputation.  However, I aspire to live up to a higher standard.  The jovial, if not noble, "Jack of All Trades". You don't cheat people.  You always do the best you can. 

That includes paying attention to the details.  Like materials, hardware, support and the tools I use.  For a lot of people, being a handyman is just a way to get by, like any other.  For me, it's part of who I am.  Making things happen and getting things done.