Why most repair requests get poor responses
Posting "washing machine broken, need help" will get you vague replies, inflated quotes, or silence. Handymen need enough information to assess the job before they commit to a price — and the more clearly you describe the problem, the more competitive and accurate the offers you receive will be.
Here is what to include.
1. Name the device and the fault precisely
Start with the make, model, and the specific symptom:
- ❌ "Washing machine not working"
- ✅ "Samsung WW90T534DAW — fills with water but drum does not spin, no error code on display"
The model number matters. A part or repair technique that works for one model may not apply to another.
2. Describe when the problem started and what changed
Context helps handymen diagnose remotely:
- Did it stop suddenly or gradually get worse?
- Did anything happen just before it broke (power cut, a loud noise, a drop)?
- Have you tried anything already (restart, reset, cleaning)?
One sentence of context can save thirty minutes of back-and-forth.
3. Add a photo — it makes a big difference
A photo of the device (and the fault, if visible) tells a handyman more than a paragraph of text. For example:
- A photo of an error code on the display
- A cracked screen or visibly burnt component
- Water damage or a broken part
You do not need a professional photo. A clear smartphone shot in decent light is enough.
4. State your location
Handymen work locally. If you do not include a city or area, most will skip your request entirely because they do not know whether you are reachable. Include at minimum your city and, if relevant, whether you can travel or need someone to come to you.
5. Set a realistic budget (or a range)
You do not need to know the exact price — that is what you are asking handymen to tell you. But indicating a rough budget helps filter out replies that would waste your time:
- "Budget: around €50–80" is more useful than leaving it blank
- If you genuinely have no idea, say so: "Not sure — open to offers"
Leaving the budget blank often attracts either very low-ball or very high quotes.
6. Be clear about urgency
If you need the repair done within 48 hours, say that. If you are flexible, say that too. Handymen with full schedules will skip urgent jobs they cannot fit in — and that saves everyone time.
A good request template
Here is a format that consistently attracts useful replies:
Device: [Make, model] Problem: [What it does or does not do, any error codes] When it started: [Suddenly / gradually, any relevant context] Location: [City] Budget: [Approximate range or "open to offers"] Availability: [Flexible / needed by X date]
Post your request now
Go to FixThat.xyz/request/new, fill in the details, add a photo if you have one, and wait for offers to come in. A well-written request typically receives the first response within a few hours.