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Inevitably, no self-respecting builder or
decorator will be bothered to come out to do the job, or if they do, they will charge a
small fortune. You ask friends and neighbours to recommend someone but they’re in the
same boat too. ‘If you find anyone, let
us know,’ is the typical response.
Now, thanks to Roger Runswick, we have a name to
recommend. Roger’s brainchild is called the 50plus Organisation, and it recruits and employs people of 50 plus who can tackle a broad
range of jobs to provide that elusive handyman – or woman – service. He says he hates the expression ‘no job to
small’ but admits that it’s exactly right.
Roger, based in Chesham in Buckinghamshire, has a
background in electronic engineering and management consultancy, setting up services for
companies. A couple of years ago, at the age
of 50. he decided to go freelance and set up ‘one more venture’ of his own. Now
his organisation is running in Buckinghamshire, adjoining areas of Berkshire and
Middlesex, parts of Hertfordshire and a wide area of Manchester and its southern
surrounds from Altrincham to Glossop. He has
plans to expand all over the UK , and here at laterlife, frankly we can’t wait.
How does the
50plus Organisation work?
There’s a central local-rate telephone number
– see below. And a website and email
address. You contact the organisation, say
where you are and what you want done, and – given that there is a local operator in
your area – you will be given a name and number.
What does the
service cost?
There is a basic hourly rate of £30 plus vat for small
jobs, less for decorating which might take several days. You
might get an estimate on the ‘phone for something like repairing a tap washer, or
someone will come round to give an estimate on bigger jobs.
And there’s no call out charge.
What kind of work
does the 50plus Organisation offer?
Electrical – including installing extra light
fittings, plumbing such as installing dishwashers or putting in a new bathroom suite,
putting up shelves or curtain rails, computer setting up and repairs. Anything around the home that needs fixing.
Do you have to be 50-plus to employ the service?
No, anyone of any age can use it.
How is the work team selected?
They work on a franchise basis and anyone of 50 plus can
apply through the contact details shown below. Roger
is looking for handypersons (he wants women! Doesn’t have any at the moment) who have
the skills to tackle a broad range of jobs. Some of
the team have come from a professional background, others from industry. If they want to work a part-time week it’s up to
them. If they decide to subcontract, they can do
that too. A key quality: the ability to
communicate in an agreeable manner with the customer.
Is there any quality control?
The organisation takes references from people who apply to join the franchise, visits
them in their own homes, makes police checks and is well covered by insurance. There’s a
guarantee on making good faulty workmanship
(Roger has gone out to fix the odd light fitting himself).
H.F.
 For more
information or if you want to use the services of the 50plus Organisation or to offer your
services, visit our pages with
full details and enquiry forms for the handyman service:
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No job too small
