Anatoli's Handyman Service, LLC

Review of Handyman Services – Strongly Not Recommended I engaged Anatoli’s handyman services while preparing my home for sale, budgeting $10,000 for the required work. I chose him based on numerous five-star reviews and had high expectations. Unfortunately, my experience fell far short of what was promised. 1. Poor Workmanship The quality of Anatoli's work was consistently below standard. I repeatedly had to point out obvious flaws, which no professional should miss. For example, when asked to replace the patio screen door, he only replaced the screen, reusing the old, unstable frame. It took multiple complaints before he finally installed a new door as initially requested. His drywall repairs and paint touch-ups were sloppy, with patched areas visibly uneven and lacking a professional finish. 2. Missed Deadlines Despite confirming a completion date, the work was not finished on time. I raised concerns as the deadline approached, but Anatoli repeatedly assured me it would be met—it wasn’t. 3. Unfinished Work Carpet steam-cleaning was part of the original quote but was subcontracted out. The vendor failed to show up twice, each time requiring me to wait at home. The job was never completed, and I lost time and money due to poor coordination. Additionally, I was charged to have both my own and my neighbor’s fences painted. While my fence was completed, Anatoli failed to finish painting my neighbor’s fence. Despite the incomplete work, I was never reimbursed. 4. Lack of Reliability Anatoli frequently missed appointments or worked only part days, despite having access to my home and numerous discussions about his inconsistent attendance. One particular incident stands out: after leaving early on a Friday, he promised to work a full day Saturday but arrived at 10 a.m. and left by 1:30 p.m.—ironically, just as I returned with lunch I had bought for him. 5. Poor Organization I constantly had to remind him of tasks. A notable example: after repeated miscommunications, it took three failed attempts before he correctly understood my request to install a ceiling fan—not just basic ceiling lights. 6. Sloppy and Incomplete Work Several projects were carelessly done: - Kitchen cabinets were painted without removing hardware, leaving visible unpainted areas. - Cabinet interiors (painting) were overlooked several times until I pointed them out. - Wall repairs lacked blending, and only after my real estate agent intervened did he mention the proper “feathering” technique that he could have performed. - Kitchen floor tiles became loose shortly after installation. It took several discussions with Anatoli for him to finally fix. 7. Demands for Payment Before Completion Despite ongoing quality issues, Anatoli requested payment before tasks were finished—sometimes citing personal financial issues. On at least two occasions, he mentioned being short on rent as a reason for needing immediate payment. These repeated requests, especially when tied to personal matters, were unprofessional and added unnecessary pressure. I continued payments out of compassion, but that goodwill was ultimately taken advantage of. I paid the full amount (over $10K), yet many items were incomplete or below expectations. Final Thoughts I do NOT recommend Anatoli for handyman services. In addition to paying in full for substandard work, I also gave him furniture, appliances, and personal belongings as I was relocating—gestures of trust that were not reciprocated. Asking for a tip and a glowing review before completing the job was not only unprofessional but insulting.