Oh, no. The dishwasher’s on the fritz again!

‌These walls could really use a fresh coat of paint.

‌What’s that dripping noise?

‌If you’re a homeowner, you’ve probably uttered these words, or similar ones, on more than a few occasions.

‌Photo by Pat Freling of Paint Strategies

Home repair can sometimes feel like a game of whack-a-mole. You fix one problem and another one pops right up. It’s no wonder American homeowners spent a collective $522 billion on home repair and improvement projects from 2017 to 2019. Around 37% of that spending went to DIY projects, and the remainder went to hired professionals.

‌Whether you try to fix things yourself or you scour the internet for local and reputable service providers, there is a constant: trying to manage and coordinate home repair jobs is exhausting.

‌The good news? You can get the help you need, when you need it, from strong, skilled, versatile workers who know how to handle pretty much everything life can throw at them. And the place to find them is your local fire department.

Need to Hire Home Repair Workers? Firefighters to the Rescue!

You may be thinking, don’t firefighters already have jobs?

‌They do, but they also have a lot of downtime ⁠—  sometimes up to 20 off-duty days every month. Many of them want to use that time to supplement their income, and simultaneously be of service to their community, by helping out their neighbors. How? Homeowners and businesses need solid, reliable people to do home repair work, and firefighters are uniquely qualified to provide this kind of skilled labor.

Here are eight reasons you should hire a firefighter for your home repair jobs.

1. Firefighters Have Excellent Strength and Stamina

Firefighters go through rigorous training on the job. After all, strength and stamina are required just to carry around their firefighting gear, which can weigh up to 75 pounds. They also have to be able to sprint up stairs, break down walls, carry people to safety, and perform other intensely physical tasks in their line of work.

‌All of that strength and stamina comes in handy for handiwork. Whether it’s moving furniture to prepare for painting, hoisting up a TV to a wall mount, installing that mount, or balancing on a ladder to screw in a light fixture, firefighters have the physical might and dexterity for most home tasks that the average person would shy away from.

2. Firefighters Know All About Home Safety

As part of their job, firefighters have to know all about preventing and managing fire hazards. This means that they understand homes on a deep structural level, from electrical wiring and gas lines to ventilation and building materials.

‌This kind of know-how is priceless when it comes to home repair work. A skilled firefighter will be able to spot hazards from a mile away and ensure that the repairs and improvements to your home are up to local safety codes.

3. Firefighters Are Adept at Communication and Decision-Making

Firefighters work in teams, and a lot rides on their communication and decision-making skills. It’s no exaggeration to say that they can make the difference between life and death.

‌These essential skills are also extremely important in home repair jobs. You want someone who will listen, provide feedback, and use excellent judgment in carrying out tasks.

4. Firefighters Are Trained at Keeping Cool Under Pressure

Fighting fires is a very demanding and draining line of work, and because of this, firefighters have to learn how to manage their emotions and stay cool under pressure.

‌When an unexpected obstacle pops up or a home repair job doesn’t go as expected, a firefighter is already equipped to handle the situation calmly.

5. Firefighters Are Known for Their Attention to Detail

Preventing and responding to emergencies hinges on being able to zero in on details. Firefighters are trained in this ability from day one on the job. Just consider how many times firefighters run practice drills, looking for and making the tiniest adjustments that can shave seconds off their response time.

This finely-tuned attention to detail is a valuable asset in repair and improvement work. A trained firefighter will be able to detect when something is slightly (or majorly) off, whether it’s a shelving unit that isn’t quite level or a piece of insulation that isn’t properly sealed. Catching these kinds of issues early and correcting them can save you a lot of hassle and money in the long run.

6. You’ll Be Supporting the Local Firefighter Community

As we mentioned above, firefighters often have a lot of time on their hands. Many off-duty firefighters already pursue the opportunity to stay busy, help others, and earn extra income, and others are looking to do so. Your home repair project could provide this necessary outlet and cash flow for these valued members of the community.

7. You Don’t Have to Worry About Vetting or Background Checks

Before they are officially welcomed onto the job, firefighters have to undergo a thorough background check to ensure that they are responsible, trustworthy, and fit enough to take on the work of protecting and serving the community. You can enjoy peace of mind knowing that the person you hired to do repair work in your home is pre-vetted and reliable.

8. You May Save Considerably on Your Home Repairs

One of the best aspects of hiring a firefighter for your home repair is that you can often get high-quality results for a lower price than you would otherwise pay for that type of work.

‌The best way to find a local firefighter who is willing to take on home repair work for a fair price is through the Hidrent website. Hidrent connects off-duty firefighters with people who are looking for handyman-type help. All you have to do is post on Hidrent about what kind of project you need completed. They send out the call to local firefighters in your area and connect you with the right person for the job.

‌Find Out More…

Are you looking to hire home repair workers or start a home improvement project? Hidrent makes it easy to find the help you need to get the job done right.

Sign up today to get started.