ServiceMagic’s home page is the easiest to use: Pick one of 32 categories (including Handyman Services), and answer a few pertinent questions (How big is the house? When do you want the job done? etc.). I chose Tile & Stone, even though it sounded a little too palazzo italiano for my needs. Then I moved on to Describe Your Clean, Color or Maintain Tile, Stone and Grout Need. I got slightly nervous, but this is what I came up with:

“Need my GROUT re-done. It’s not completely in disrepair, but it’s not white anymore, and I need to get it thoroughly cleaned—or perhaps replaced. Looking to hire someone ASAP. Thanks. :-]”

I felt like I was writing a personal ad. ServiceMagic immediately e-mailed me a “Thanks for your request” confirmation. Within one day, I got a list of three interested companies, which was exciting—until I looked closely. Two were on eastern Long Island, and one was in Westchester. Nothing in Manhattan? Then I got a call from Cliff Ferrara of CNL Marble Restoration (914-835-4391), based in Westchester, less than an hour after I got the e-mail. He was downright Trump-like. “I just need a basic cleaning job,” I said tentatively, and he responded with, “Ah, I’m gonna rip out all your grout and replace it anyway—it doesn’t take much extra time. I gotta do a perfect job.” I felt exhilarated.

A check of Cliff’s customer ratings showed that he scored mostly five out of five stars. He had a time slot just two days later, so we set up an appointment. Cliff lived up to his reputation. He showed up on time and did a near-flawless job in two hours. It cost me $180, which wasn’t a bargain but was reasonable. He also won points for honesty. After he was done, I asked how I could maintain the new grout, showing him my generic Duane Reade Shower Cleaner. “That’s crap,” he said. “Tilex is the best.” I loved the guy.

I also loved ServiceMagic—of all the methods I used, it’s the hands-down winner. That doesn’t mean it will always supply the best handyman—for instance, my favorite was Ed the sublime painter, but he came as a lucky find after a hard trip with the Yellow Pages. ServiceMagic is the easiest, most pleasant method, and it offers the best odds of success.

I now know where to go when I need a handyman. Finally, peace; I can happily sit back and wait for things in my apartment to get old and fall apart.