Watch Tara Ellis’s full OCBA presentation so you can hear directly from her about how Ace Handyman Services operates and what to expect.
At a recent OCBA meeting, Tara Ellis of Ace Handyman Services Jersey Shore shared a practical and honest look at what homeowners should expect when hiring a handyman—and what often goes wrong when they don’t.
For many homeowners, small repairs and projects tend to pile up. A light fixture here, drywall repair there, maybe a bathroom issue or a kitchen update. The instinct is often to call multiple specialists—or worse, hire someone unverified from social media. Tara’s presentation made one thing clear: there’s a better, safer, and more efficient way to handle it.
A Professional Approach to Handyman Services in Ocean County
Ace Handyman Services Jersey Shore operates out of two locations in Howell and Toms River, serving Ocean County and surrounding areas. Their team provides a wide range of home repair and improvement services—from simple fixes to more involved projects.
They describe their approach as “white glove service,” meaning attention to detail, professionalism, and respect for the homeowner and their space.
From changing light fixtures to small kitchen remodels, their team handles the work that often falls between DIY and hiring a full contractor. And when a job requires licensed trades like plumbing or electrical, they coordinate with trusted professionals to ensure everything is done properly and safely.
Why Hiring the Right Handyman Matters
One of the biggest takeaways from Tara’s talk was how often homeowners run into problems by hiring the wrong person.
She shared real examples—like a senior who paid $3,000 for a simple grab bar installation, only to have the contractor disappear before completing the job. Situations like this are more common than people think.
Ace Handyman Services takes a different approach:
- All employees are background checked
- The company is licensed, bonded, and insured
- Work is done according to code—even if that means turning down a job
“We make sure everything is done the right way,” Tara explained, noting that cutting corners can lead to bigger and more expensive problems later.
Real Problem Solving—Not Just Repairs
Tara shared a powerful example from a project in Point Pleasant. What started as a simple job turned into a deeper issue when their team discovered mold behind a ceiling.
The cause? A recently renovated bathroom with no ventilation—something that violates code and creates serious health risks.
Instead of ignoring it or patching over the problem, the team stopped the job and helped address the root issue before continuing.
That kind of attention protects homeowners from long-term damage and costly repairs.

Helping Seniors and Homeowners Feel Supported
A significant portion of Ace Handyman’s work involves seniors and aging-in-place services. The team is CAP certified (Certified Aging-in-Place), meaning they understand how to modify homes for safety, accessibility, and comfort.
But beyond the technical work, Tara highlighted something just as important: human connection.
Many of their senior clients simply want someone trustworthy to talk to and help them navigate home repairs. In one case, a 90-year-old client reached out for help removing an old dishwasher. Instead of tearing up her flooring, their craftsman carefully disassembled the unit to minimize disruption and cost.
These moments reflect the company’s philosophy—doing the job right while treating customers with respect and care.
Transparent Pricing Without Surprises
Another common frustration in the home service industry is unclear pricing. Tara explained how Ace Handyman Services handles this differently.
- Jobs are billed hourly with a one-hour minimum
- Customers are quoted based on worst-case scenarios upfront
- If the job takes less time, the price is reduced accordingly
This approach prevents the common issue of being quoted low and charged significantly more later.
They also keep material markups far below industry standards, helping homeowners save money without sacrificing quality.
Commercial and Residential Services
While many people think of handyman services as strictly residential, Ace Handyman Services also works with commercial clients and property managers.
Their national franchise network gives them an advantage—property managers who have worked with Ace in other states often seek them out locally. This has led to projects with major retailers and ongoing partnerships.
What Makes Ace Handyman Services Different
Tara summed it up clearly—this isn’t just about fixing things. It’s about doing the job correctly, safely, and professionally.
Key differences include:
- Background-checked craftsmen
- Licensed, bonded, and insured services
- Appointment-based scheduling (no waiting around all day)
- One-year workmanship warranty
- A focus on doing work to code and refusing unsafe requests
For homeowners, this means peace of mind—something that’s hard to put a price on.
When Should You Call a Handyman?
Many homeowners don’t realize how often they should be calling a handyman instead of a specialist.
If you have:
- Small repairs piling up
- Minor renovations or upgrades
- Safety modifications for aging in place
- General maintenance tasks
A professional handyman service can often handle it more efficiently and at a lower cost than hiring multiple contractors.
Contact Ace Handyman Services Jersey Shore
If you need reliable, professional help with home repairs or maintenance, reach out to Tara and her team:
Ace Handyman Services Jersey Shore
4675 Highway 9, Howell, NJ 07731
1400 Hooper Avenue, Suite 3, Toms River, NJ 08753
Phone: 732-201-5551
Website: https://www.acehandymanservices.com/offices/jersey-shore
Stop putting off those repairs or risking your home with unverified contractors. Contact Ace Handyman Services Jersey Shore today to schedule an appointment and get the job done right the first time.