Not So Handy?

Regarding the July 16 article, “Fix It Yourself? Most Still Call Handyman” by Catherine Collins, my experience is that most of the handymen do not carry general liability insurance, which can be a potentially serious problem for the individual hiring the handyman.

I came out of retirement to work for a firm primarily underwriting contractors. My feeling is that the individual who hires an unlicensed handyman or even one who carries no liability insurance is acting “penny wise and pound foolish.”

To get around the $300 limitation, unlicensed contractors have the owner buy the materials. The possibility of the handyman being injured or killed on the job can be of prime importance to the liability exposure of the owner.

HERMANN SCHLANDER

Palm Desert