A new season means it’s time to tackle a new list of house projects. Fall is a particularly important time as there’s a lot that needs to be done before the winter cold sets in. Save yourself some time and effort this season by hiring a handyman to take care of these fall must-do projects.
1. Weather Stripping Doors and Windows
The cold weather will be here sooner than we know it. To make sure your home is ready for it, hire a handyman to ensure that there are no cracks or crevices where air can slip through. Adding weather stripping and caulking around your doors and windows can have a significant impact on keeping cool air out. Having this small job done will help save money on your energy bills if there’s a significant leak. Hire a handyman to perform this service in your home today.
2. Seal Gaps from Critters
While we’re on the topic of sealing gaps, be sure to check your home for any points of entry for critters. As the temperature drops, bugs, rodents, and smaller animals like squirrels will be looking for a cozy home to curl up in. To make sure they don’t take nest in your home this fall, have a handyman seal up any gaps or cracks in your home that pests could sneak through. These gaps can be filled with caulking or steel wool and is an easy job to perform in an afternoon. If you’re worried about critters getting in, click here to connect with a handyman.
3. Aerate the Soil
If you want to keep your lawn looking its best all year long, it’s important you aerate it at least once a year. The fall happens to be the best time you can aerate your soil, so why not check this item off your to-do list now. Aerating your soil consists of using a lawn aerator machine to put holes into your soil. These holes allow for air, nutrients and water to enter the soil and keep it looking great all year long. You can rent a lawn aerator and have a handyman perform this task for you.
4. Clean Out Gutters
Cleaning your gutters is essential to the overall health of your home. They ensure rainwater doesn’t get trapped under roof shingles and they collect runoff dirt and debris. Without gutters, our homes are susceptible to erosion and rot. To ensure your gutters are in proper working order so this doesn’t happen, it’s important to regularly have your gutters cleaned.
Fall is an especially important time to take care of your gutters due to all the falling leaves. Dry leaves in your gutters won’t cause much of a problem. The issues begin once the first heavy rainstorm of fall hits. Wet leaves will clog up your gutters and cause more issues later on. If you’re already having a handyman stop by to take care of some tasks for you, have them clean out your gutters as well.
5. Change Your Furnace Filter
A simple but essential task to maintain the health of your furnace. If you haven’t had a chance to change your filter in a while, you’ll want to make sure you do so before turning on your furnace for the first time this year. Failing to replace your furnace filter could cause the heat exchanger to overheat and shut off too soon. This means that your home will not be able to heat up. Hire a handyman to change your furnace filter so that you can stay nice and warm inside your home this fall.
6. Inspect Your Garage Door
Cold weather can create a number of issues for your garage door tracks. As the temperature drops, the metal in your door will tighten and contract, making opening and closing more difficult. To ensure you don’t get stuck inside or outside of your garage, it’s a good idea to have a handyman take a look and adjust your door for any potential issues.
7. Seal Outlets and Ceiling Boxes
While you might not be able to see them, there are tiny gaps around outlets and ceiling boxes. These tiny gaps can also be found around outlets on exterior walls. Sealing these holes is an easy task that will take your handyman about half a day to perform. Not only will this task help keep your home warm this fall, it will also help cut down your heating bill. If you need a handyman to help you with this task, click here to be connected with local handymen for free.
8. Clean Dryers and Vents
If you’re not already, this is something that you should be doing regularly. Did you know that thousands of dryer fires are caused by leftover lint every year? Something as simple as keeping your dryer vents clear could end up saving your home. As fall brings the cooler and drier air, dryer fires become a bigger risk. This can be easily prevented by a spending some time to properly clean out your dryer vent. Make it a fall ritual to always book a handyman to take care of this task for you.
How much does it cost to hire a handyman? Below are the average costs of Handyman Services across different cities in Canada:
| City | Average | Minimum | Maximum |
| Barrie | $4,459 | $100 | $15,000 |
| Calgary | $5,626 | $100 | $45,000 |
| Edmonton | $2,609 | $100 | $45,000 |
| Hamilton | $4,825 | $120 | $30,000 |
| Oshawa | $2,837 | $100 | $30,000 |
| Ottawa | $3,372 | $100 | $50,000 |
| Toronto | $2,820 | $100 | $50,000 |
| Vancouver | $1,683 | $100 | $30,000 |
*Costs based on 2718 verified Canadian homeowner reviews as of March 2022
If you have more jobs than the ones listed, try combining them so that you can hire a handyman to get them all done in one day. When you’re ready to get quotes, click here to connect with local handymen (and women!) in your area. Start the season off right by checking off your fall home to-do list with the help of a professional handyman in your area today.
Article Updated June 2022.
