BIPOC/Woman owned handyperson/contractor in Seattle area

May 12, 2021 10:59 AM

I'm trying to find someone to help with some projects around our home, like painting/sealing windowframes, recaulking outside siding, light gutter repair, deck/stair repair, etc. I'm not having luck with trying to find BIPOC/Woman owned businesses to do this work. I tried using some lists that seattle.gov maintains, and found a few places (like amyworks.com), but either got no response, or that people were only interested in larger construction jobs. I have tried with personal referrals as well, without any results. Any suggestions? MeFites in the area, any suggestions?
posted by Gorgik to Home & Garden (6 answers total)

All pretty small jobs, this is the sort of thing in my area I would be looking for individuals who don't necessarily even identify as a "business" specifically to do this work. I would expect to pay in cash.

Where I live I can easily find BIPOC people on Nextdoor who are interested in this sort of what is often termed "handyman" work (I don't care for the term, but it will help with searching), it's less likely I would be able to find women looking for this sort of work on that platform. Obviously your success on Nextdoor depends on the ethnic composition of your neighborhood, so that might not get you what you are looking for.
posted by yohko at 11:48 AM on May 12, 2021

I don’t know how she identifies but I would see about getting in touch with Leah of See Jane Drill! Her YouTube channel is great.
posted by rossination at 12:09 PM on May 12, 2021

Don't see any handyperson services here, but you still might want to bookmark The Intentionalist for future reference.
posted by brookeb at 1:45 PM on May 12, 2021

Similar to yohko, I was thinking if I wanted this in my (Seattle) neighborhood I would post a request for recommendations in my neighborhood Facebook group. Nextdoor works too. You can just be specific that you are looking to hire someone who is a woman or BIPOC.
posted by lunasol at 5:27 PM on May 12, 2021

I belong to a number of “queer exchange” local Facebook groups that are for LGBT+ people to sell, trade, give away, ask for help etc. I bet the moderators would take kindly to you requesting to join one in your area for the purpose of finding someone to help with your projects. In my experience as a tradesperson, women in the trades are very often some kind of gay so starting with places gay women congregate is a good way to find a handywoman. There is also a fb group called DIYkes where you might be able to find someone in your area. I agree with other answers that you can find a handyman of color pretty much anywhere where handymen are to be found. You might also look in a telephone book if you have one and see if any handyman services listed have obviously Spanish names.
posted by Summers at 4:21 AM on May 13, 2021

You might try Casa Latina.
posted by purple_bird at 11:10 AM on May 13, 2021