Frequently Asked Questions
If you still have any more questions, contact us.
TASK SPECIFIC INFO WE NEED
AC units
- Photo(s) of window
- Photo(s) of exterior ledge depth
- AC unit brand/model or link
- Window opening width
- Link/info on safety bracket
- Floor number
Helpful to know:
- Some windows require custom brackets or safety hardware
- Older buildings and uneven sills can affect installation difficulty
- PTAC, through-wall, and split systems require specialty trades
- We do not service central HVAC systems
- We do not carry AC units up stairs unless prior approval (additional fees)
Art / Mirrors
- Photos of each item
- Approx. sizes/weights
- Quantity
- Photos of wall(s)
- If all items have mounting hardware on back or we need to provide (send pic)
Helpful to know:
- Large mirrors and gallery walls often require laser layout and 2 technicians
- Plaster, tile, brick, and stone walls affect hardware selection
- We can help plan spacing/layout if needed
Assembly
- Product links
- Quantity of items
- Photos/screenshots of each item
- On-site or waiting on items
Helpful to know:
- Large wardrobes, bunk beds, and wall-secured furniture may require 2 technicians
- Missing hardware or damaged parts can delay completion
- Packaging cleanup/disposal should be requested in advance
- IKEA/PAX/custom systems usually require more time than standard furniture
Curtains / Window Treatments
- Product links
- Photos of windows
- Width measurements
- Ceiling height if tall
- Wall/ceiling material if known
- Is a ladder/step stool on site?
Helpful to know:
- Concrete lintels and steel framing are common in NYC
- Tall ladder work may require additional setup
- Some curtain systems require custom cutting or specialty anchors
Custom Carpentry / Built-Ins
Please send:
- Inspiration photos/sketches
- Measurements
- Photos of the area
- Desired materials/finish if known
- Budget range if available
Helpful to know:
- Custom work usually requires a site visit or design discussion
- NYC walls/floors are rarely perfectly level
- Shop fabrication, finishing, and installation may be quoted separately
Doors / Hardware / Locks
- Photos of the door and hardware
- Photos of both sides of the door
- Desired hardware/product links
- Any sticking/alignment issues
Helpful to know:
- Older buildings often have shifted frames and uneven gaps
- Metal/commercial doors require different tools and hardware
- Access control systems may require an electrician or locksmith
Drywall / Wall Repair
- Clear photos of damage
- Approximate size measurements
- Cause of damage if known
- Paint color info if available
Helpful to know:
- Water damage may require additional investigation
- Perfect paint matching is difficult without exact paint info
- Multiple visits may be needed for larger repairs due to drying time
Lighting / Ceiling Fixtures
- Photos of existing fixture
- Link/photos of new fixture
- Ceiling height
- Building restrictions if applicable
Helpful to know:
- Our licensed electrician may be required depending on scope
- Older wiring conditions can affect installation time
- Heavy fixtures may require additional ceiling support
Shelving
- Product links or dimensions
- Quantity of shelves/items
- Photos of wall(s)
- Desired height
- Wall material if known
Helpful to know:
- Heavy shelves may require locating studs or specialty anchors
- Brick, tile, concrete, and plaster installations take longer
- Uneven walls/floors are common in NYC buildings
- Floating shelves vary greatly in difficulty depending on hardware – also levelness is not guaranteed due to NYC walls
TVs
- TV size
- Link/Model of TV mount
- TV mount new or used?
- Wide photo of the wall
- Wall type if known (drywall, plaster, brick, concrete, etc)
Helpful to know:
- Plaster, masonry, tile, fireplaces, and hidden steel/concrete can increase labor
- Large TVs may require 2 technicians
- Concealed wire work is quoted separately
- We do not recommend mounting into weak or damaged walls
Painting
Please send:
- Photos of all areas/walls/ceilings
- Approximate room dimensions
- Ceiling height if unusually tall
- Whether walls are currently painted, wallpapered, damaged, or textured
- Desired paint color(s) if known
- Whether paint is already purchased
- Photos of trim, doors, or built-ins if those are included
- Any problem areas or repairs needed
Helpful to know:
- NYC apartments often require additional prep due to old paint, patching, cracks, nail holes, or uneven walls
- Dark-to-light color changes and high-coverage colors usually require additional coats
- Furniture moving, extensive prep, wallpaper removal, and skim coating are quoted separately
- Fresh drywall repairs may require priming before painting
- We recommend clients confirm paint colors and finishes before scheduling to avoid delays
- Large commercial or full-apartment painting projects may require a dedicated painting crew
GENERAL FAQ
How much do you charge?
This is a loaded question, so we will need info about your job beforehand.
Minimum job price averages $349.
- Where do you live?
- How quickly do you need us?
- Do you need a paperwork?
- What tasks you need help with and how complex?
- Do we need to make hardware store runs?
- Does it require special tools?
- Access times limited?
We base prices on all of these things. Prices can also vary depending on how busy our schedule already is, if we need to purchase new tools/materials, travel time, etc.
Most jobs average between $395-$1295
Time Based Jobs / Delays / Material Runs / Cancellation Fees
- Arrival ETAÂ – We strive to arrive on time, but delays may occur due to prior jobs or transit conditions.
- Hourly Rate Jobs – Billing begins upon arrival at the job site. Delays related to building access including service elevator wait times, COI/paperwork issues, or other entry-related obstacles are included in the hourly rate. Time is rounded up once work extends 15 minutes into the next hour.
- Late Start (time based jobs) – If access is delayed due to factors beyond our control – such as building staff, entry restrictions, incorrect addresses, paperwork issues, or client delays – the time will be billed at the agreed hourly rate.
- Late Start (flat rate jobs) – If access is delayed due to factors beyond our control – such as building staff, entry restrictions, incorrect addresses, paperwork issues, or client delays, a $50 fee will be applied for every 30 minute increment of lost time.
- Cancellation – Please notify us via email as soon as possible. Cancellations within 48 hours of the scheduled job will incur a $150 fee, which compensates the technician for lost work hours. Last-minute cancellations result in lost revenue, as we cannot rebook jobs within that timeframe.
- Material Runs – For local materials runs pertaining to hourly jobs (or flat rate if unknowns are discovered), time spent sourcing will be added to the final invoice.
- Preparation/Cleanup –
Clients are responsible for clearing the workspace and moving any fragile or valuable items before our arrival. Please ensure easy access to the job site. Cleanup is included in the billed time unless you prefer to handle it yourself – just let our technician know before work begins.
What are your guarantees/warranties?
At Team Handy Dan, we stand behind the quality of our work and the products we provide. Here are the warranties and guarantees we offer:
Product Warranties – Any materials or products sold and installed by our team come with a 30-day warranty against defects or failure. This warranty covers replacement of the defective product only and does not include installation labor costs.
Workmanship Guarantee – We guarantee the workmanship on all of our general repair, maintenance, installation, and painting services for 60 days after completion. If you experience any issues directly caused by deficient workmanship from our team within that 60-day period, we will remedy the situation. Any remediation work will be provided at no additional labor cost to you, though you may be responsible for the cost of any required materials.
Please note that this workmanship guarantee only covers issues arising from our crew’s work. It does not apply to failures related to normal wear and tear, abuse, misuse, improper maintenance, or acts of nature. Inspection and approval from both parties is required to validate any workmanship guarantee claims.
In some cases, such as if the remediation work is minor in nature, we may elect to offer a discounted rate rather than free labor. The specifics of any discount will be discussed and mutually agreed upon prior to work commencing.
We stand behind our commitment to quality work. However, we also reserve the right to refuse guarantee claims if it is determined that the issue falls outside of the guarantee terms and conditions outlined above.
Service Acceptance – Upon payment, you are accepting that the work we have completed meets your satisfaction. We recommend doing a final walkthrough with our team when the job is complete to ensure everything has been handled properly.
Warranty Limitations – Our warranties do not cover pre-existing products, materials or installations that were already in place prior to our work. If an item breaks or fails weeks or months after we have completed our services, we cannot provide warranty coverage unless that specific item was supplied and installed by our team. We also cannot warranty customer-supplied products that we did not provide. While we take utmost care in handling and installing customer materials, we cannot guarantee their performance or offer warranty coverage since we did not source those products ourselves.
Essentially, our warranty coverage only extends to the specific products we sell and install as part of the job, as well as the workmanship involved in our services. Any pre-existing components or customer-provided materials are not covered under our warranties, even if we interacted with or worked around those items during the service period.
To initiate a warranty claim, simply contact us and describe the issue. We strive to address all warranty claims promptly and professionally. If you have any other questions about our warranties or guarantees, please contact us. We are committed to delivering exceptional service and standing behind our work.
What if the 'Scope of Work' changes after booking?
When a job is confirmed with a set price and scope of work, any changes to the scope can result in an addition of costs. Once the job is booked and our technicians’ schedules are set, we must adhere to a minimum cost based on the initial projected time/cost estimation.
Why does insurance matter?
Liability insurance is crucial for both homeowners and contractors, including handyman services, for several reasons:
Property Protection: Liability insurance provides coverage for any accidental damage that may occur to your property during the handyman’s work. This ensures that if something goes wrong, you won’t be left to cover the costs of repairs or replacements.
Worker Injuries: If a handyman gets injured while working on your property, liability insurance helps cover their medical expenses. Without insurance, you could be held responsible for these costs, leading to potential legal and financial consequences.
Third-Party Injuries: If a third party, such as a neighbor or visitor, is injured due to the handyman’s work, liability insurance will cover their medical expenses. This protects you from potential lawsuits and the associated legal fees.
Professionalism and Reliability: A handyman with liability insurance demonstrates professionalism and a commitment to their clients’ well-being. It shows that they are prepared for unforeseen circumstances and are financially responsible.
Peace of Mind: Hiring a handyman with liability insurance provides peace of mind, knowing that you are protected in case of any unforeseen incidents. It adds an extra layer of security to your home improvement projects.
On the flip side, hiring a handyman without insurance can pose significant risks. In the absence of coverage, you may end up shouldering the financial burden of property damage, injuries, or legal issues that arise during the job. Therefore, it’s advisable to prioritize hiring insured professionals to safeguard both your property and your financial stability.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Cash and Zelle is preferable. Credit Card via digital invoice is also an option.
Why is your estimate/quote so much?
Well. A ton goes into an “easy job”. Insurance (we carry 7x required minimum liability), bonding, licensing, tools breaking, assortment of materials always on hand, travel, wear and tear on our bodies, and so on.
There’s also the cost of advertising, getting durable clothing, spending hours every week emailing, etc.
Additionally we pay hefty New York State taxes, LLC fees, and CPA fees.
And finally, with 15+ years of knowledge (lots of that being unpaid), spending time learning new skills, plenty of dog treats, and so so so much more, we’ve got to make it worth all the time we spent and continue to spend.
What type of work do you do?
We are a fully licensed, bonded, and insured Home Improvement Contractor in New York. However, most of our work is the ‘honey-do’ type of to-do lists. That is to say, things we can do with just us and a backpack of tools. However, there are occasions that we will rent a truck, more tools, etc.Â
- We are not a plumber or an electrician (but we know some!)
- We don’t typically haul trash away (additional fees).
- We don’t do major exterior/roof/façade work.
- We don’t refinish floors (just surface repairs)
What areas do you service?
While we are based in Manhattan with our shop in Long Island City. We travel via subways, taxis, scooter, etc. – So we’re a Manhattan Handyman, Brooklyn Handyman, and a Queens Handyman (but not full coverage of Brooklyn & Queens).
Do you provide estimates?
Yes. We will send estimates via email (send us tons of info and photos) for no cost, but if you request to have us come out in person, there is a travel fee to do so.
Is a deposit required? What if I need to postpone work?
Most times. For example, if there are a lot of materials that have to be purchased prior to the date of the job, yes. But if it’s just a normal service call, maybe. So long as you give us more than 48hr notice, we can reschedule.Â
Do you barter/trade skills?
Yes. We love to trade work for work, or work for art.
Are you hiring?
If you are reading this and interested in part-time work, email us some info and work history.