Handyman scheme offers pensioners peace of mind

A PENSIONER who was ripped off by rogue builders has backed a new handyman scheme aimed at the over 60s.

Patricia Desmond, who lives in Cork city, was the victim of builders who overcharged her for shoddy work. She was targeted several times and said the experience left her traumatised.

“People were trying to take advantage of me,” she said.

“I had skylights put in, but it was half measures. Then there was a roofing guy who fiddled with the slates, put them in the wrong way around, and water came in everywhere.

“Then another guy gave me the wrong contact number. I couldn’t get in contact with him afterwards.

“And I was overcharged. I was told a job would cost €2,000 but they tried to charge me €4,000.”

But Patricia has availed of a new service aimed specifically at the over 60s, launched by handyman William O’Brien.

“You can sleep in the night and have peace of mind with the winter coming. He brings in the right people to do the right job,” she said.

Mr O’Brien, 33, who runs O’B Handyman, launched his ‘Peace of Mind’ service offering a complete home maintenance and improvement service after reading about a spate of incidents involving bogus builders targeting elderly people.

“It could be my mother or my aunt. Some people in this age group are vulnerable and these cowboys prey on that and have some people living in fear,” he said.

His new service offers a single point of contact for older people seeking to have building or maintenance work done on their homes.

He can arrange for anything from window and gutter cleaning to boiler services, smoke alarm testing, and a home security assessment.

He will meet potential clients to discuss their requirements and draw up a package to suit them.

He works with qualified plasterers, electricians, plumbers, painters and carpenters he trusts, and who will wear his company logo, to carry out the work in the client’s home.

The sub-contractors bill Mr O’Brien who then inspects the work. He said he will only pass the final bill to the client when he is satisfied the work is done to the highest standard.

“I like to build up a personal relationship with clients,” Mr O’Brien said.

“I have established a reputation as a handyman that can be trusted. My good name is worth more to me than money.

“When people say good things about me, that’s good for business.”

* Contact O’B Handyman Services: Tel: [phone] or 087 285 9504.