Many people and businesses have a growing “to do” list.
Mr. Handyman of Northern Virginia – Arlington to Haymarket is there to help tackle it.
Business Development Manager Tom Payne spoke about its services and community support in our Community Conversations segment.
Below is the interview.
This is the interview transcription:
ST Billingsley: Thank you for joining us on Community Conversations here on What’s Up Prince William. And today we have Tom Payne from Mr. Handyman. Thank you very much for being on the show with us today. And tell us a little bit, what is Mr. Handyman and what kind of services do you do?
Tom Payne: Well, thanks for having us. We really appreciate it. Mr. Handyman of Northern Virginia, we do all the little projects that people don’t want to fool with, they don’t have the time, patience, desire, to do that. Our specialty ranges in the two hour to two day projects, and it’s anything from as simple as replacing a ceiling tile in a business, pressure washing a deck in a home and everything and anything in between. It’s the honeydew list on the refrigerator is a good way to describe it.
ST Billingsley: So are, I know you mentioned a business, so is this a business and residential?
Tom Payne: Yes. We provide services for both. We service little projects that just need to get done in the commercial business, as well as home. We’ve been fortunate to be busy during this trying time because where people are is where stuffed breaks. So it’s one of those things that we’re able to help out in the business as well as the home.
ST Billingsley: Gotcha. So I know a lot of people, they worry about things as far as like being certified or having a certain qualifications. What kinds of things do you guys do to work with that?
Tom Payne: We are a class A contractor we’re licensed and bonded insured. So all the I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed with all that. And again, it’s very important we do have vaccinated technicians as well, I know that’s become a big thing. And additionally, we also are a national franchise, so we have franchise guidelines to follow as well.
ST Billingsley: Oh, very good. So some people also kind of wonder why is it important to have like a class A certification licensed and bonded? What is the difference between say, for you guys, you hear a lot of places, these guys do this, they got their own business. Why do they want to hire somebody like you that is licensed and insured?
Tom Payne: That’s a really great question. We are there just in case something goes wrong. So if you hire someone who is not licensed and bonded and insured, we’ll just do a really easy scenario. You have a sink and the water you need to faucet replaced. And heaven forbid the faucet gets broken and the water line breaks and it floods the house, the floors, the wall. If a uninsured person who did that, you’re out of luck. If an insured contractor came in and did that, they’re insured so we’re able to take care of that through the insurance. So licensed, bonded, and insured is a preventative measure. The, just in case.
ST Billingsley: Right. Exactly. So the cheapest guy really isn’t always the best?
Tom Payne: That is correct. That is the old saying you get what you pay for it. Yes. And what we tell people, it’s a peace of mind for the what if.
ST Billingsley: Very good. Now, Mr. Handyman, as far as the company, but especially Mr. Handyman Northern Virginia, you guys do a lot of community support.
Tom Payne: We do.
ST Billingsley: Why don’t you to tell me a little bit about some of the community support that you do.
Tom Payne: We do a lot. Jo McCabe, who’s the owner of the franchises is a retired Naval officer. We work a lot with the VFW, Project Mend-A-House, a lot of nonprofit organizations. And we do some projects once a year. And again, we like to help out with the community, especially in the veterans area.
ST Billingsley: So what kind of things do you do? So, one of the local VFWs may hook you up with a veteran. What kind of things do you actually do at the houses for them?
Tom Payne: Great. So, yes, so we have a project it’s called National Day of Service, it happens the Friday after labor day. One of the local VFWs reaches out to us and has a veteran who’s struggling with some resources or the ability to get things done, or they just need their house modified to make their life easier. So for example, we did a job where a gentleman needed a walker, so we needed to widen the doorways. His house, the deck needed to be pressure washed, shingles needed to be cleaned and some replace, the shutters needed to be paint. We built a ramp for his wife who was in a wheelchair when she gets out of the car to wheel up in there, we’ve widened doorways. All the little projects, just to say thank you for your service and to help them out and make their life a little easier.
ST Billingsley: This isn’t just something new, you’ve been doing this for years.
Tom Payne: We have. What happens is Jo shuts down the whole office. So Jo, all the office staff, myself and all the technicians, we go to that person’s house and there’s a laundry list of what we need to do and we take care of it. And again, it’s our way of giving back.
ST Billingsley: Great. Well, thank you very much, especially for you and your company doing that kind of work for our community. Businesses being involved with the community and supporting the community is very important and we appreciate everything that you all have done.
Tom Payne: Thank you. Thank you. Again, it’s important to support your local community in our eyes.
ST Billingsley: And thank you very much for being on our show today.
Tom Payne: No, you’re welcome. Thanks for having me.
ST Billingsley: And thank you for joining us on Community Conversations.
