Help? Widowed amd house is a pit need a handyman??!!

[boosmum21]

OK folks I'm new here but seriously need help. So long story but I'll try to make it as short as I can. Husband died 2 years ago (cancer, didn't live long but was in hospitals all over SE whilst alive) left me with a semi derelict 1970's house, no life insurance and a massive mortgage. He didn't mean to and I don't mean that like I blame him, just trying to be honest about situation. I work full time and have 21 and 12 year olds. I frequently wrk 70 hours a week and kids are doing what they can. I got into debt when husband was ill because of travel costs to hospitals in London (it cost about £400 a week with petrol and parking when he was in Kings) I've joined Flylady and am managing all the washing/cooking/cleaning/ironing stuff. But just can't fit in the decorating sorting house out too but am seriously skint now! I had a go at some stuff but I either don't have time to finish or have made such a hash of it I don't know how to put it right. I'm looking for a handyman to do a range of jobs who won't have a heart attack/judge me, who'll give a fair price and who is trustworthy to be in the house. I need everything from walls sanded filled and painted to taking crap to the tip. At the moment I have no flooring ing my living room, stairs or spaire room, walls with holes etc Can anyone recommend somone good, quick who won't cost the earth and won't treat me like a leper? Hoping someone can help.xxx

Hi Boos, I'm really sorry to hear about your husband. My mum is in a similar position having just lost my dad to cancer. We help out where we can, but can't do handymen jobs. I own my own business in a large property, and we have a handyman there - he is very good and reasonable, mum now uses him (when he's free!!) - could you contact a few businesses and ask who they use, how reliable and cheap they are? Try care homes/nurseries/doctors/solicitors as they normally use reliable people due to the constant nature of their businesses. good luck.

Boos, really sorry about your husband. Have a cousin in similar position - altho' dc much younger. Left with half a roof when her husband died.... the practicalities of dealing with it were a nightmare.
Where are you? If people know your approx location they might be able to recommend. We go for personal recommendations everytime, and have had only good experiences. Have you tried CheckATrade? I use them when I can't get a recommendation.
Good luck,
madcows

Very sorry to hear of your husband's loss.

A friend is in a similar situation, and tried contacting the local branch of Help the Aged (I think it was) to see if there was a handyman they could recommend.

Could your 21 year old take stuff to the tip at the weekend? If he / she's female, I can tell you that in my experience you get a lot of help from the men at the tip if you're a woman dropping stuff off on your own. It's a dull job, but if you plug away at it you can get through quite a lot.

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. You seem to be coping amazingly well all things considered, far better than I ever would.

I agree with the other suggestions of Help Concern etc. You could also try your council's housing department for details of contractors. My former father-in-law did this job for a housing association concentrating mainly on sheltered housing. He did everything from sorting radiators so concreteing in washing lines. He would have loved a period of work on a particular property. Where are you roughly?

Thanks folks. It is so depressing living in this situation. I'm in Surrey/Hampshire border. 21 year old is boy and doesn't drive we are rarely even in at the same time. I joke about burning the place down, but have this morning just realised that the house insurance has run out so am now panicking about that. Off to get that sorted now!!!

Would you consider a handy woman? There's one listed in Portsmouth. I know when I've been trying to make progress here I've wailed at female friends and would have given anything for one to help me for a few days just as an extra pair of hands.

Sorry, god I hope that didn't come across has you having no friends! I meant that a handy woman may not judge/suck in breath through teeth...

Could you and your older son plan a weekend morning to load up the car and do two or three runs to the tip? I know you said you're short of money and that would be a job you could do yourselves.

How about posting in the Mumsnet Local areas of this website for recommendations for a handyman / handywoman.

Could your son not try and tackle some of the jobs? You only learn to do DIY by practice , personally I'd get a manual out of the library and start learning( both of you ) . It's all very well employing someone but think what you'll save long term !