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[pattiewaddle]

I live alone now and need some repairs inside the home. Husband always handled this and now that he is gone I have to.I feel so lost making these decisions as can,t really afford some of the ones we used before...having repair men in and being alone bothers me.....family lives out of town so its just me.....neighbors all work and only at home at night....I know I need your advise .Thanks so much.....

[lolakimono]

@pattiewaddle

Have you tried HomeAdvisor or Angie's List to find people?

[tends2dogs]

I feel for you, @pattiewaddle.  My husband handles all this either by lining up repairmen or doing it himself. 

I have to recommend HomeAdvisors.  We have used them several times and have never been disappointed.

I hope you can get the affordable and reliable help you deserve. 

[Imaoldhippie]

I would still ask some neighbors, either for help or if they know someone that they recommend.  Also, if you are a church goer, you could ask your pastor, lots of times the men at church are more than willing to help.

When you do find someone ask a girlfriend/church member, etc to be at your house when the repairs are being done.

If you use the Home Advisor or Angies List to get recommendations I doubt very much if you would have anything to be afraid of.

Good luck

[RedTop]

@pattiewaddle,

Also, if you have a Senior Center in your area, you could call them for information, and possible assistance.   Many seniors in my area of southern WV receive assistance for home repairs thru a state run program.   

[geezerette]

@pattiewaddle

Being a recent widow myself, I can commiserate with you.  My husband also used to handle all our repairs.  Even if he couldn’t do them himself, he dealt with any repairmen.  Now it’s all up to me.  Fortunately, one of my very good friends is a contractor, so he does a lot of things for me and if he can’t do them himself, he knows reliable people to send.

I would echo the idea of asking friends and neighbors for recommendations.  Don’t be afraid to mention your concerns about finances and being alone with a repairman.  Oftentimes a neighbor can do small things for you, or may have another friend or relative that can.  Also, check the local repair businesses in the yellow pages or their websites.  Some will offer senior discounts.  Most places that are genuine business operations will have employees that can be trusted.  And again, when calling, tell them your situation and don’t be afraid to ask about cost.  Many times once people know you are a widow, they can offer more than one solution to your problem for different prices.

Unfortunately, sometimes you just have to try a few different places or people.  I try to use the same places my husband did.  And you may have to pick your priorities.  I have a lot of repairs that need doing around my home that are going to stay undone as long as possible.  I don’t plan on staying in this house forever and don’t want to put a lot of money into it now.  I’m putting up with things that just a few years ago I never would have dreamed of accepting.  Also, I have to try to not be so critical of the repairs.  Nobody does things like my husband used to.  He spoiled me. 

I feel for you, @pattiewaddle.  It’s just one of the many things that we have to accept as our new reality.  I’ve found that while a lot of people are considerate and understanding of my new situation, others will definitely take advantage of me.  I try my best to avoid those, but sometimes I have to write them off as a learning experience.

My sympathies for your loss.  It’s hard.🕊🙏

[Nightowlz]

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@Imaoldhippie wrote:

I would still ask some neighbors, either for help or if they know someone that they recommend.  Also, if you are a church goer, you could ask your pastor, lots of times the men at church are more than willing to help.

When you do find someone ask a girlfriend/church member, etc to be at your house when the repairs are being done.

If you use the Home Advisor or Angies List to get recommendations I doubt very much if you would have anything to be afraid of.

Good luck

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@Imaoldhippie

ITA. I would not just let anyone in my house to do repairs.

Ask your neighbors if they know who could do the repairs for you.

[GCR18]

My mother is in the same situation.  She won't let service people in if I'm not there.  We schedule work when I visit.  She has grandkids in the area, but that's another story.  I have a couple ideas for you.

Are you on Facebook?  There is a site called nextdoor.  It's a site that connects neighbors.  You can ask does anybody have the name of a reasonable plumber, etc.  I found a 13 year old a couple streets over to mow my mother's lawn.  It was all coordinated through his mother.  I

Another resource is angies list.  I found a fellow on there to regrout my mother's shower.  You pay on the website, so no money is exchanged.

Also, Amazon has services.  Type home services in their search bar.  You Also pay on the website.  I hired a guy to put in a job at my house.

[Snowpuppy]

What types of repairs do you need?

[VaBelle35]

My development is on Nextdoor.com and it is a great way to ask neighbors for recommendations.

Many times, the people who do this work are actually my neighbors.  I have a master plumber next door to me and a licensed electrician one block over.  There are probably 20 general contractors who can do everything and come in a range of prices.

Angie's List and Home Advisor are good for larger companies, but for smaller, single person general handyman types, there usually aren't any people local to me.