Walk through your house and write down the small things that need to be repaired. A door that isn't hung correctly, leaky faucets, loose banisters and squeaky floorboards are some of the things a traditional handyperson can fix. Having a group of repairs done at once will cost less than paying to have them repaired individually.

After you make this list, contact a few handymen who would be interested in doing small repairs around your home. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Does this person have experience fixing a variety of things, for example, electrical, carpentry and plumbing?
• Does he or she charge by the hour or by the job?
• Does he or she have references you can call?
• Is he or she licensed and insured? A small repair that is not done correctly can cost a lot of money in the long run.
• What is his or her availability? If you discover more repairs, will he or she be available quickly, or will you have to wait for weeks or even months?

Finding a good handyperson is invaluable. Chances are that your handyperson will spend a lot of time at your house over the years. Make sure that he or she is someone you like having around, and be sure that you treat him or her nicely!

-- Tips courtesy of HomeAdvisor.com