The Pros & Cons of Dating a Guy Who is Handy

I can't stress enough why it's important to be with a guy who can fix things. But along with the pros are also a couple of not-so-obvious cons.

If you're thinking about dating a guy, it's safe to say you probably already have your list of requirements. However, one requirement that may not have made it to your list is his ability to be handy.

True story, one time, I dated a guy who wasn't handy at all. He didn't know how to hang a painting, and literally would call his “art connection person” or whatever term he had for the guy, and that guy would come over to his house and hang every framed picture for him.

Whenever he did this, I would make up different scenarios in my mind about how if we were married and had kids, and if something were to break, or we wanted to hang a picture, he'd be absolutely clueless. The different scenarios I would think of and create in my mind scared me. I mean, when I was growing up, my dad built and fixed things for my sister and I all the time.

When it comes to spending your life with someone, you'd of course want someone whom you can count on to fix things. Sure, you can do it yourself, but what if you're already tired or you're not home or you're busy? It would definitely be embarrassing if your friends found out that you're dating a guy who doesn't even know how to hammer a nail. Needless to say, we broke up, and it reminded me why it's important to be with a guy who can fix things.

Why you should date a handy guy

It can be pretty obvious why dating a guy who's handy will come in, well, handy. But here's a quick list anyway.

#1 If something breaks, he can fix it. There's no need for you to wait around for a handyman to patch things up for you, because your guy can just come over and fix it all. What's more, since he knows you well enough, he'd already know exactly what your tastes are when it comes to hooks, shelves, the type of piping your bathroom needs or the kind of paint that you like.

#2 Saves money. We all know any maintenance work takes time and money, and when things take more time, they usually take more money. But not if you're with a guy who can fix things! If you're with a guy who knows how to figure out solutions to problems, he saves you time, but more importantly saves you money.

#3 Instant gratification. If you're like me, then it's safe to say you totally know the feeling of when you find something such as a new craft on Pinterest that you want to not only complete right away, but you also want to put it up in your house as soon as possible. If you're with a guy who knows his way around all things DIY, he'd probably also clue you in on the best type of paint or glue or wood to use for the projects you want.

#4 No need for a stranger to come into your house. It's not that you shouldn't trust handymen for hire. It's just that sometimes, it can be uncomfortable to have a stranger working on things in your house. But if you're dating a guy who's handy, you can totally walk around the house in your undies as he works on your project. It might even motivate him more!

#5 He can build you things you might want. Just because the guy you're with may not be able to pull rabbits out of a magic hat, doesn't mean he can't do other things just as amazing. For example, if you want to stain a coffee table, or build a shelf, but you don't know where to start, it's pretty safe to say that your man does.

#6 It's sexy. Let's be honest, how many times have we ladies fantasized about the super sexy construction worker or hard-hat guy. Too many to count. When you're with a guy who can fix things, you've got a man who knows how to use his tools 24/7 and if you're lucky, he might even own a hard hat and who knows what else *wink*wink*.

The downside to dating a handy guy

Although there are so many positives when it comes to dating a guy who knows how to fix things, there are also some negatives. I happen to believe that the pros outweigh the cons by a long shot, but it's still important to be fully aware of them. See for yourself the negatives you might encounter when dating your handyman.

#1 He's always working on a project. If you're with a guy who is handy, it means he's always working on something or has something he needs to take care of. If you've ever seen any show on HGTV or know anything about car repairs, then you know that fixing things is an ongoing process. Be aware that there is the high possibility that if he isn't working on something for you, he very well might be working on something else for a friend or family member.

#2 Less time spent with you. There are some big projects that he simply won't be able to get away from. Painting a house can take an entire day. Remodeling a kitchen can take an entire week. When he's got a project on his hands, you can't just expect him to drop his tools and come rushing to you. So you need to be a little patient when he's got his mind set on a particularly long project.

#3 Leaves a mess. There will always be some wood chips, newspapers splattered with paint, tools and a whole assortment of other things that come as a byproduct of an ongoing project. Sometimes, you may even find that his clothes and even his hands are stained with whatever liquids he's been working with. This can't be avoided, but be thankful if you happen to find a man who's as meticulous with cleanliness as he is with his projects.

#4 People always asking to borrow things. Need a Pozidriv screwdriver? Your guy has it. Need a roll of painter's tape? Your guy has one. Need a pipe wrench? There's one in the shed. Your guy probably has them all, and everyone knows this. The problem is, you may notice that you or your guy will always get calls from friends who are borrowing some obscure tool.

It's just part of the territory, and depending on your guy's personality, he'll usually let them borrow, which means he's constantly loaning things out and trying to remember where they are. Unfortunately for you, you'll become the tracker of his tools.

#5 People always asking for help. Just like the friends and acquaintances you know who are always asking to borrow tools and what not, you'll get even more people asking for help. Believe it or not, there are more people out there who really don't know how to hammer a nail, or hang a photo, or build a shelf, and they will rely on your man instead of hiring someone.

Whatever the reason may be, you're going to have to accept this of your guy, and understand he enjoys offering his safe advice, and that he's not only your handy-man, but he's probably the village handyman, too.

The thought of being with a guy who doesn't know how to fix anything sounds like a nightmare. So the next time you find yourself attracted to a guy, check his hands for the telltale callouses of handymen. If he's not handy, suggest he learn how to use some tools before agreeing to go out on a date with him!