Who handles each part of the process?
HandMen is the trading name of Alona Yanchenko. It handles online marketing, receives and initially reviews enquiries, and refers them to independent partner businesses. HandMen does not carry out work at the customer’s property.
The proposed contractor is an independent business. You decide whether your enquiry may be shared and whether to commission any work afterwards. This table explains the process at HandMen.
| Stage | HandMen | Customer and contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Initial enquiry | Receives details and looks for a potentially suitable business | You describe the task, location and preferred period |
| Contractor and data sharing | Names the specific business and asks for separate consent | You decide whether your details may be passed on |
| Assessment and site visit | Does not provide a technical assessment | You discuss conditions, dimensions and any site visit with the business |
| Quote and contract | Does not issue its own quote for the work | The business offers its services; you agree the job directly with it |
| Work and changes | Does not perform or technically supervise the work | You agree scope, materials, dates and changes directly |
| Invoice and payment | Does not bill you for the contractor’s work | The business issues its invoice; you pay it for the work |
| Questions and complaints | Answers questions about its own referral activity | You raise work-related questions and defects with your contractor |
1. Send a non-binding referral enquiry
State the service you need, postcode and town, property type and a short description. Floor level, access, approximate quantities and preferred timing help explain the task. Mark unverified dimensions and unresolved questions clearly.
The initial enquiry goes to HandMen. It does not order work from HandMen or from a partner business. An acknowledgement of receipt does not reserve a work date or confirm a price.
The form has no photo upload. If useful, email relevant images separately to info.handmen@gmail.com after sending the enquiry and identify which enquiry they belong to. Avoid unnecessary personal information in pictures and documents.
2. Know the proposed business and decide about data sharing
HandMen names the specific proposed contractor before passing your personal details to it. You then decide whether you want that contact. HandMen does not maintain a public partner list, but your prospective contractual partner is identified to you.
The required checkboxes in the enquiry form acknowledge the privacy policy and HandMen’s referral role. They do not replace separate consent to sharing your details with a named business.
After you consent, the business receives the details needed to contact you, assess the task and prepare an offer. Without that consent, the enquiry is not passed to it. The privacy policy explains withdrawal of consent and subsequent data processing.
3. Discuss the task, suitability and any site visit directly
The contractor assesses whether it can take on the task and under which conditions. Discuss whether it needs a site visit, measurements or further documents. Before agreeing to a visit, ask whether a charge applies.
Under its published provider information, HandMen refers regulated trade tasks only to businesses that supply evidence of authorisation for the specific activity. This is not a promise covering every possible additional task. Ask the business to identify the actual scope and who will perform it.
If you need several trades or professional coordination, commission those services separately and directly from a suitable provider. A HandMen referral does not include planning, site supervision or technical checks by HandMen. Availability of a suitable business is considered individually.
4. Review the offer and agree the job with the business
The contractor provides the offer. Check which business is making it and will become your contractual partner. Ask if the contact person, business name or scope is unclear. A message from HandMen about a possible introduction does not replace that offer.
An offer and its acceptance can create binding obligations. Sections 145 and 147 of the German Civil Code address the binding effect of an offer and the time for acceptance. Your particular statements, their content and any applicable form requirements determine whether a contract has been concluded.
Germany’s Verbraucherzentrale recommends recording scope, the work date and payment arrangements in writing where possible. Keep later amendments too. Consent to data sharing is a separate step from commissioning the contractor.
5. Handle work, invoices and questions with your contractor
Discuss preparation, materials, access and changes directly with the business you commission. Ask it to explain additional tasks and their effect on price and timing before agreeing to them. HandMen does not provide technical approval for the work.
The contractor issues the invoice and receives payment for the work. Compare its items with your order and agreed amendments. Direct questions about amounts, stated taxes or payment terms to the business issuing the invoice.
For problems with the work or suspected defects, contact your contractor. Record the affected area, when you noticed the issue and any relevant photos or documents. Informing HandMen does not replace contacting your contractual partner in good time.
HandMen answers questions about its own referral activity and data sharing. Its statutory liability for its own referral activity remains unaffected.
How is the referral remunerated?
HandMen may receive a marketing or referral fee from the partner business. That business provides its own quote for the work. A referral does not imply a particular price or a price advantage.
Ask the contractor in advance about any charges for a visit, measurement service or preparing a quote. This description of the referral process does not promise that every preparatory service offered by a partner is free.
Six questions before commissioning the work
Use these questions when speaking to the proposed contractor. To request an introduction, start by describing your project; you do not need to commission the work at that stage.
- What is the full name of my contractual partner and who is my contact person?
- Which tasks are included, which are excluded and which conditions still need checking?
- What pricing basis, possible additional charges and payment terms apply?
- Who checks measurements, purchases materials and completes the agreed preparation?
- What date have we agreed and how will we agree changes?
- Who handles questions about the work, invoice or defects?
