For a company that provides handyman services, one might be forgiven to think that the tools of their trade are those found in their ‘toolbox’. But for Shaun Zarb and Mark Borg; co-owners of Pro Handy (Malta), their tools of the trade go beyond that.
In this interview Design & Build finds out more about on how their unique approach to their work has granted them an unparalleled capability of performing all on-site jobs; they are hands-on experts in turn-key finishings, with their unique core competences based upon expedient problem solving.
W orkmanship and customer service have always been the most important tools in my toolbox. This is how Shaun Zarb, co-owner of Pro Handy (Malta) introduced himself in our interview.
Working on large jobs such are remodelling and refurbishment of buildings, plastering, membrane installation as well as electrical and plumbing projects are just part of Pro Handy’s portfolio of services. Other services include smaller jobs such as minor installations and repairs, leak fixing, drain unblocking. The list is endless.
quality and efficiency need to go hand in hand at all times
Shaun Zarb and his business partner Mark Borg’s joint experiences bring together over two decades of association with the industry. Drawing in on each other, they joined forces and set up a small outfit that provides so much more than your typical handyman would.
Years of working in maintenance roles with large organisations, including a centrally located and large four-star hotel, where maintenance was an ongoing project, gave them the right foundation and of course the necessary tools to solve electrical and plumbing faults. And for most of the time, they have always battled against the clock!
The nature of the job meant that no day was the same.
Shaun had to be extremely creative to work with the tools that were made available to him. It was in these circumstances when he met up with Mark on a joint job, and they instantly clicked, content in the knowledge that their work ethics and dedication to customer loyalty in all matters were the same. Thus, circumstances had led this young yet veteran duo to branch off on their own on a full-time basis, to give a jointly superior service to their clients.
The most rewarding part of the project was managing to make the most out of the available footprint
Shaun’s maxim is that quality and efficiency need to go hand in hand at all times. This kind of work environment necessitates that quality results and class workmanship are delivered within time frames that are at the best of times highly taxing. Having said that, both Shaun and Mark revel in working in such an environment. “And with efficiency comes savings for the customer,” Mark added.
photo: a Pro Handy reinforced installation of apertures set within a gypsum partition installation
Property Repairs, Improvements, Installations
Pro Handy portfolio of professional assistance not only includes property repairs, improvements and installations.
They have also embarked on a number of turnkey projects both large and small; supported when required by a team of skilled workers selected by Pro Handy based on their skillset and their sharing Mark and Shaun;s ethical values and commitment to steady, quality work.
Pro Handy have been appointed as subcontractors for a firm that provides a 247-emergency service for plumbing and electrical faults.
Smaller jobs are always given the full dedication of Pro Handy too. They have recently completely remoulded a two roomed apartment in Floriana into a modernised office. This project was assigned to them through a referral from another satisfied customer. “The most rewarding part of the project”, Mark tells us, “was managing to make the most out of the available footprint.”
Quality is a holistic approach that is taken seriously by the Pro Handy team
It also included the restoration of the antique façade, along with the complete redoing of the interiors, lighting, plumbing, plastering, painting and so forth. This means that all services provided are certified by qualified, highly trained and licensed personnel.
The level of expertise that the team at Pro Handy has means that they are capable of solving those problems that are inherited prior to the commencement of their work;– identifying the problem and providing a solution. “One has to keep in mind that problems are varied – a forty-year-old building would require different solutions to those for a newly built one,” Mark explains.
Quality is Key
Quality is a holistic approach that is taken seriously by the Pro Handy team. Quality is not just limited to the kind of products that one uses. It is about keeping up to date with the trends, skills and technologies available at the time.
When it comes to materials too, Pro Handy do not compromise on quality. There is no point using imitations or low quality – even if cheaper, as the level of faults that come with such choices are not worth incurring as this would irreparably ruin one’s reputation. A case in point, Shaun explains is paint. The paint quality one chooses is important for a job to be long lasting. It is critical to understand the differences between low and high quality. Saving on materials will inevitably result in less durable, less pleasing results and would see the client spending more in the near future.
Shaun and Mark are keen to do their bit towards the environment by choosing environmentally friendly materials within the stipulated budgets.
Shaun reiterates that a customer, irrespective of the budget available, will be looking for a good return on investment. And Pro Handy is keen to invest in long term relationships, which will see – “ten years down the line, customers returning to us for other jobs and projects.” “We are committed to providing competitive pricing without compromising on our workmanship and quality,” Mark hastens to add.
Sometimes, Pro Handy is handed over unfinished projects which were mostly prepared through a mindset of ‘quantity over quality’; be it in workmanship or materials used.
It is often the case that the Pro Handy team has had to solve problems which arose through such inherited circumstances. “Our work is not a temporary solution. We cannot see it that way. The end product has to be seen as a good return on investment by our clients, and their end users and end clients alike,” Shaun matter of factly tells us.
we never contact a client about a problem without having a solution in hand
The nature of Pro Handy’s business is problem solving. All projects have their challenges and problems. Some are run of the mill hitches; others are more complex – like that of adjusting works to accommodate a drainage pipe which would have been wrongly presented within the building’s plans. Mark shrugged the issue aside, showing us that Pro Handy adapts to such tasks with rapidity,
explaining that “we never contact a client about a problem without having a solution in hand.”
On Pro Handy’s works with government housing projects, Shaun explains that whilst these are partly subsidised by government, a significant value is still to be covered by the residents. Shaun explains that there are times when residents are low wage earners meaning that covering such costs is a burden to them. This is where the Corporate Social Responsibility element of Pro Handy comes in – – the option of using materials of lower quality “is not an option”, and if extra hours – those not covered by the contract, are required, then Pro Handy does its utmost when circumstances so require to fill in the missing bits under their own steam. “This is a small way of giving back to the community,” is how Shaun put it.
As we close off our interview, it is evident that the partners are very proud of how Pro Handy has evolved in the last decade. The work is demanding, but both Shaun and Mark keep in close contact with their employees to ensure that every project proceeds as planned. Their direct involvement in each and every project they embark upon leaves an indelible mark which continues to build onto their outstanding track record and the continuity of their lasting relationship with all of their customers.
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