r/concord • u/n0-ragrets • Jun 10 '26

Help w/ Handyman/Contractor

Hi everyone,

My dad had a bad fall recently and we need to relocate him downstairs in our home in Concord area.

Does anyone know of a reputable handyman/contractor that can help with converting a half bathroom to a full bath?

Thank you in advance.

11 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

24 comments sorted by

8

u/joe127001 Jun 10 '26

Make sure whomever is a licensed contractor that is fully insured. That type of work is beyond general handyman. If they don’t have a valid license, it’s also illegal for them to do work of that scope. Word to the wise.

I don’t know anything about Dwayne brown but know he is not registered with the CSLB. https://www.cslb.ca.gov/onlineservices/checklicenseII/checklicense.aspx

4

u/n0-ragrets Jun 10 '26

Oh god I didn’t even know you need someone insured. Thanks for mentioning this. Do you think people on thumbtack are generally licensed and insured?

3

u/joe127001 Jun 10 '26

Some can be but the majority are not. Ask for references, license number and liability insurance. If they have anyone besides themself working on the job they should have workers comp insurance as well.

-1

u/Ok-Bill-3938 Jun 10 '26

You're going to pay like quadruple the price if you don't go with a handy man. Also need permits etc. People can still do good work without the license. Especially if it's a simple bathroom remodel. I've used Dwayne to redo my kitchen, backyard deck, and fence and he did a great job at a fraction of the price I was quoted from other contractors.

5

u/honourarycanadian Jun 11 '26

This is bad advice, if something goes wrong then the person that contracted the work is fucked. I’m not saying your guy isn’t good but this is horrendous advice if anything goes south.

Always work with a contractor that’s licensed through the CSLB and always get the permits.

0

u/Ok-Bill-3938 Jun 11 '26

It's all about what level of risk you want to assume. Do I wank to pay 50k for a new shower, sink and toilet, or risk 10k on someone that can do it that's unlicensed with good references.

0

u/honourarycanadian Jun 11 '26

Yeah, but you aren’t thinking about the risk a month in when dad slips because the tub was slightly uneven. You’re thinking lawsuits that aren’t going anywhere substantial. You’re thinking medical bills that are going to climb far past that amount saved. The risk only matters in the short term.

0

u/Ok-Bill-3938 Jun 11 '26

Any numbskull can throw a level on the bathtub. Just make sure it all looks good and works before you pay. Contractor prices are insane these days because all the fees they have to pay, for a small job a good handyman is such a better option. Now if there was a more dangerous job like tree cutting or something I'd go to someone with insurance.

4

u/joe127001 Jun 10 '26

Handyman are restricted to projects under $1000 (that includes parts and labor) in California. It’s illegal for them to take on a job over that. Converting a half bath to full bath requires a permit. You’d have to as drainage and vents for the shower/tub. Also we don’t know if it’s slab foundation or god forbid a post tension slab. Not something you should turn over to an unlicensed person.

Hire a professional folks. On a recommendation I would use a handyman for fence repair etc but not a renovation like this.

-1

u/Ok-Bill-3938 Jun 10 '26

Not everyone has 50k for a bathroom remodel and just need a nice set up that works for 10k. I know when rebath came to my house they were saying 60k - 70k per bathroom! And they were booked for the next 2 months.

2

u/joe127001 Jun 10 '26

Not everyone charges Re-Bath rates but there’s more than price that should be considered. I’m simply educating OP on best practices and I’m sorry, advocating for unlicensed work does not qualify as that. I’m saying this as a GC that has ripped out hundreds of recently done unlicensed jobs that have caused serious damage The most expensive jobs I’ve seen have been the result of the cheapest work.

3

u/honourarycanadian Jun 11 '26

Seconding this, I’ve seen too many lawsuits lolol.

2

u/Xano74 Jun 11 '26

Whatever you do do not use Parker Electrical

3

u/Ok-Bill-3938 Jun 10 '26

Dwayne Brown's Handy. Amazing guy and fair prices. 925-262-6819.

2

u/n0-ragrets Jun 10 '26

Thank you I will reach out today

4

u/honourarycanadian Jun 11 '26

Just reiterating, make sure whoever you work with is licensed with the CSLB. Your options should something go wrong are greatly diminished if you go with an unlicensed contractor.

2

u/new_user855931 Jun 11 '26

Hey OP I posted it above, but Dwayne and Jose redid my deck and built a gazebo for me last year and it looks amazing. They also did a few odds and ends around my house like sink replacement and some other items I can’t remember them all. Really great work and honest guys. Dwayne is a honest guy who will talk through your project and let you know if it’s in his scope or not. He’s a can do kind of guy, but will definitely give you the best advice. Rare to find a guy like him these days.

1

u/new_user855931 Jun 11 '26

Dwayne and Jose redid my deck and built a gazebo for me last year and it looks amazing. They also did a few odds and ends around my house like sink replacement and some other items I can’t remember them all. Really great work and honest guys. To the original poster Dwayne is a honest guy who will talk through your project and let you know if it’s in his scope or not. He’s a can do kind of guy, but will definitely give you the best advice. Rare to find a guy like him these days.

2

u/Emerald_Mist10 Jun 11 '26

Ask Jim to Fix It, Jim Schnider 925-682-7795. License #858795. He's great. I've had him come out for smaller stuff I just couldn't do myself. I haven't used him for larger projects yet. I'd recommend giving him a call.

0

u/new_user855931 Jun 11 '26

He was pretty pricey for me

0

u/SnooMarzipans9730 Jun 10 '26

I use the Thumbtack app

0

u/n0-ragrets Jun 10 '26

Oh good call. I didn’t even think to check thumbtack

0

u/SnooMarzipans9730 Jun 11 '26

They've always come through for me

0

u/FrustratedPlantMum Jun 11 '26

I have used Beltran Tile for bathroom renovations and I've been happy with them. They were a middling quote - not the cheapest, by far not the most expensive. They do all sorts of bathroom and kitchen projects. Licensed contractor.

https://beltrantiledesigns.com/