Handyman Services

The main difference usually comes down to staffing and project size. A Contractor typically manages a project but hires “subcontractors” (subs) to do the actual work—one guy for framing, another for electric, another for paint. They focus on large additions or house builds.

A Handyman is usually the person actually doing the work. At Trueline, we handle small to medium projects directly. This means you get a single point of contact and someone personally engaged with your repair, rather than a manager juggling five different crews. We are the better call for repairs, maintenance, and cosmetic updates.

In almost all cases, a handyman will save you money on small-to-medium projects. Contractors have higher overhead because they are coordinating multiple subcontractors, each of whom needs to make a profit.

Furthermore, contractors aren’t usually set up for small jobs. If you call a contractor to fix drywall or swap a door, they often won’t call back because the job is too small for their business model. A handyman specifically looks for these jobs and prices them fairly.

We handle almost any repair needed for a home or light commercial building. Common requests include:

• Plumbing fixtures: Leaking bathtub faucets, installing new vanities, or replacing toilets.
• Electrical fixtures: Installing ceiling fans, new light fixtures, or swapping non-working outlets.
• Drywall: Patching holes and matching texture.
• Vents: Cleaning out clogged dryer vents when your clothes aren’t drying.
• Exterior: Installing storm doors or replacing a few damaged roof shingles.

Note: While we handle many plumbing and electrical tasks, we are not licensed plumbers or electricians.

This comes down to how you value your time. DIY saves cash, but costs you time—time away from family or relaxing. There is also a “Skill Gap.” YouTube is great, but things like drywall texture or leveling a door take practice to do right.

There is an old saying: “Cheap, Good, Fast—pick two.” If you do it yourself, it might be cheap, but it often won’t be fast or (if you are learning as you go) good. When you hire us, you are buying your time back and paying for the experience to get a quality result efficiently.

For very small jobs (like swapping a shower valve cartridge), we typically charge based on Time & Materials because it’s a quick 1-2 hour visit.

For larger remodels where we can see everything (or where demolition is done), we can provide a firm estimate. Bathroom remodels, for example, often range from $100 to $200+ per square foot depending on the fixtures and finishes you choose (tiled showers, heated floors, etc.).

Yes. For larger projects, we provide a quote. However, estimating renovation work can be tricky if we can’t see behind the walls. We usually have a clause regarding unforeseen issues (like finding rot behind a shower surround). If you want to save money, doing the demolition yourself before we arrive allows us to give you a much more accurate price.

Our invoices will include labor and materials. Regarding travel: We serve the Montrose area. If your project is more than 20 minutes outside of town, we apply a $50 trip charge to cover fuel and time.

Preparation is key. If you are paying for our time, don’t pay us to clean out the cabinet under your sink before we can fix the leak. Clear the area before we arrive.

Also, having materials on-site helps. If you want a specific faucet or light fixture, buy it ahead of time. This saves us a trip to the hardware store. (Note: For lumber or specialty building materials, it is usually better to let us select them to ensure quality, as big-box stores often pick warped wood).

Look for a legitimate business. Do they have a website? Do they have Google Reviews? A guy who just sends you a picture of a business card on a message board might be desperate or running a fly-by-night operation.

Ask for references, but more importantly, talk to them. Are they professional? Do they have a process? Reliable professionals are usually busy, but they will communicate clearly.

Remove personal items from the work area. If we are working under a sink, please clear it out. If we are working on flooring, move small furniture if possible. If you are worried about your floors, ask us to put down protection—though for larger jobs, floor protection is standard procedure for us.