What should I send on WhatsApp to get a handyman estimate?

What photos should I send for a handyman estimate?

For a handyman estimate, send one wide photo that shows the whole wall, room or item, then two or three close-ups of the problem, taken in daylight or with the lights on. WhatsApp's help pages say shared media is usually compressed, so choose HD quality before sending when fine detail, such as a hairline crack, matters.

The wide photo matters as much as the close-ups. A close-up of a damp patch or a loose tile shows the problem, but the wide shot shows the size of the area, what is around it and how easy it is to reach. Stand back far enough to get the floor and the ceiling line in the frame.

On Android, WhatsApp lets you select up to 100 images from your gallery in one go. The same help page says sending a large number of photos at once can cause problems, so if a batch does not go through, send a smaller number at a time. A line of text under the photos saying what each one shows saves questions later.

• Close-ups of the problem: the drip, the crack, the broken hinge or the worn sealant.
• Labels and model numbers on taps, toilet cisterns, extractor fans, appliances or flat-pack boxes.
• Under the sink or behind the bath panel for plumbing jobs, showing the pipes and any isolation valves.
• Both sides of a door and its frame, for door fitting or a door that sticks.
• The whole wall, including nearby sockets, for TV mounting, shelves or curtain poles.

Which measurements help a handyman price the job?

Measurements let a handyman estimate materials and time from your messages. For painting or flooring, send each room's length, width and ceiling height in metres, for example 3.6 m by 4.2 m with a 2.4 m ceiling. For doors, give the height and width of the opening. Rough figures are fine if you say so.

A photo of the tape measure against the item is often clearer than a number on its own, because it shows exactly where you measured from. If you do not have a tape measure, a photo with something of a known size in it, such as a door, still helps.

• Painting and decorating: room sizes, ceiling height, and whether ceilings, woodwork and doors are included.
• Flooring: room sizes and what is down now, such as carpet, laminate or tiles.
• Kitchens and bathrooms: a simple sketch with wall lengths, plus where the window, door, sink, toilet and radiator are.
• Fencing: the length of the run, or the number of panels and posts to replace.
• TV mounting: the screen size in inches and, if you know it, whether the wall is brick, block or plasterboard.
• Flat-pack assembly: the product name or a link, so the size and number of boxes are clear.

Should I send a video as well as photos?

A short video helps with an estimate when a photo cannot show the problem, such as a dripping tap, a toilet that keeps running, a door that catches or a noisy extractor fan. WhatsApp's default video limit is 100MB at 720p on faster connections and 64MB at 480p on slower ones, so keep clips brief.

Film long enough to show the problem happening, and talk through what you are seeing: when it started, how often it happens and anything you have already tried. Keep the sound on for noises, and add a still photo of the same spot.

If typing is awkward, a voice note explaining the job works alongside the photos. Just make sure the address and your name are also written in the chat, so they are easy to find later.

How do I share my location or postcode on WhatsApp?

The full postcode of the property is usually all a handyman needs to place the job, for example an RM15 postcode in South Ockendon. WhatsApp can also send a location pin: its help pages say 'Send your current location' shares a static image of where your phone is, while live location shares your real-time position for a set time.

On Android, open the chat, tap the paperclip, then Location. On iPhone, tap the plus sign, then Location. WhatsApp's iPhone help page says you first need to allow WhatsApp to use Location Services in your iPhone settings.

Only send your current location if you are at the property, because the pin shows where your phone is at that moment. If you are at work or away, type the full address and postcode instead. Live location is optional, and WhatsApp lets you stop sharing it at any time.

For flats, add the flat number, the building name and the floor, so the address is complete in one message.

What should I say about access, parking and timing?

Access, parking and timing shape how a job is planned. Tell Emir the floor level and whether there is a lift, where a van can park, and when you would like the work done, for example before a tenancy starts on 1 November. A second-floor flat with stairs only is planned differently from a house with a drive.

• Parking: a driveway, free street parking or a permit zone, and whether a visitor permit is available.
• Getting in: stairs, lifts, narrow hallways, and how far the parking is from the front door.
• Building rules: set working hours, booking a lift, or telling a managing agent that a tradesperson is coming.
• Keys and people: who will be at home, or where the keys will be, plus any pets or alarms to know about.
• Materials: whether you have already bought them, or want them included in the estimate.
• Timing: flexible, a target date, or a fixed deadline such as a sale or a new tenancy.

Is a WhatsApp estimate the same as a fixed quote?

An estimate is not the same as a quote. Which? explains that an estimate is an educated guess that can change, while a quote is a fixed price for the agreed work, though changes to the job or unexpected problems can still raise costs. Emir Handyman's estimates are free and no-obligation.

Which? also advises getting the details in writing, including the work to be done, the materials, the timings and the cost, and, for an estimate, asking what could make it go up and by how much. A WhatsApp chat keeps the photos, your description and the reply together, which makes that record easy to keep.

Some things only become clear once work starts, such as the state of the wall behind old tiles. Honest notes about what you already know, like an old leak or a past repair, help keep surprises to a minimum.

Send Emir a WhatsApp with your photos and details for a free, no-obligation estimate.

What does a good first WhatsApp message to Emir look like?

A good first WhatsApp message covers five things together: what the job is, the property postcode, photos with at least one wide shot, rough measurements, and when you would like the work done. Emir Handyman's WhatsApp number is 07950 606 931, and one complete message is easier to reply to than several separate ones.

• Job: Hi Emir, I'd like a free estimate for replacing a kitchen mixer tap. I've already bought the new tap.
• Where: South Ockendon, RM15, a house with parking on the drive.
• Photos: one of the whole sink area, two close-ups of the drip, and one of the pipes under the sink.
• Timing: any weekday over the next couple of weeks.