Restaurants: what a handyman does
A handyman can repair the building around the kitchen: wall and ceiling patches, door closers, shelving, trim and dining room fixtures. Kitchen equipment, gas, hoods, refrigeration, plumbing, electrical and anything your health department regulates go to licensed trades and to the health department. Send photos and the hours when the space is closed.
Jobs we take on
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- Patch and repaint damaged drywall in dining rooms, hallways and restrooms
- Replace stained or broken drop-ceiling tiles
- Adjust or replace door closers, hinges and latches on back-of-house and restroom doors
- Install and anchor shelving in dry storage and offices
- Mount TVs, menu boards, artwork and signage
- Tighten or replace loose booth, bench and bar-rail hardware
- Re-caulk gaps along trim, window sills and counters
- Replace worn door sweeps and weatherstripping on delivery and patio doors
- Assemble host stands, shelving units and office furniture
- Install wall guards and corner protectors where carts hit
Signs it is time to call
- Cart and chair damage in hallways and the back door area
- A door closer that slams, will not close or lets the door hang open
- Stained ceiling tiles, which can point to a leak that needs a plumber or roofer first
- Loose booth seating, handrails or bar-rail hardware
- Shelving in dry storage pulling away from the wall
What is not a handyman job
Kitchen equipment, gas lines, hoods, refrigeration, plumbing, electrical and roofing go to licensed independent contractors. Anything the health department regulates, and any plan review or remodel approval, is between you and the health department. In suburban Cook County, the Cook County Department of Public Health inspects food establishments in unincorporated areas and contract towns, so ask which department covers you. Remodels and structural work are out of scope.
Plumbing, electrical and roofing go to licensed independent contractors.
What a visit looks like
- You send photos, the address and the hours the restaurant is closed or slow. Ask us to confirm timing, since we do not assume any evening or weekend slot.
- We look at the repair on site, say which part is ours and which belongs to a licensed trade, and agree the scope before work starts.
- We keep the work area tidy and tell you what we are touching so staff can plan around it.
- If your landlord, insurer or health department has rules for contractors, tell us up front so we can say whether we can meet them.
Common questions
Do you work on kitchen equipment, hoods or refrigeration?
No. Kitchen equipment, gas, hoods and refrigeration go to licensed trades and the equipment's service company. We handle the building around them, such as wall patches, ceiling tiles, shelving and door closers.
What if a repair might involve the health department?
Ask your health department before work starts on anything it regulates or reviews. In suburban Cook County the Cook County Department of Public Health inspects food establishments in unincorporated areas and contract towns, so confirm which department covers you. We make no health-code claims.
Can you work when the restaurant is closed?
Many owners prefer closed hours. We cannot promise any specific evening or weekend slot, so send the job, your closed hours and how staff can let us in, and we will confirm what is possible.
What do I need to send?
Photos of each repair, the address, your closed hours and where staff can let us in. If your landlord wants a certificate of insurance or W-9 from vendors, ask them what they need and tell us up front.