Best of Flagstaff 2025
Written by Gail G. Collins
A reliable handyman is worth his weight in gold. Whether you need rain gutters cleared, tile repaired or HVAC maintenance, he is a one-stop shop for knocking out a list of chores. Most handymen hone their broad skills through apartment maintenance, advancing to supervisor before running properties or acting as service managers of rental units.
It was no different for Chris Lacy, who began True Blue Handyman & Maintenance in 2023 when the opportunity presented itself.
“I saw a need in the community,” he said. “Other companies were charging a fortune, and there was a need for an honest company with good services at a better price. People recommended me here and there, I ran into realtors, who needed help, and it is just blew up.”
Voted Best Handyman, Lacy’s 20 years of experience have branded him as dependable, timely and fairly priced for quality work. He is licensed, bonded and insured and works for both residential and commercial clients. The work scope is the same: repairs and maintenance, installations and inspections. Those jobs encompass a wide range of general tasks, such as electrical, gutters, plumbing, painting, drywall, carpentry, mice remediation and emergency services.
Often, it comes down to a problem or a project. Problems come in all sizes, such as a leaky faucet, a plugged toilet, an outlet that doesn’t work or a door that won’t shut properly. Projects run the gamut from installing a sink, a door or an appliance to painting a room, refitting plumbing to accommodate a garbage disposer or laying linoleum.
An enormous advantage in hiring a handyman is in bundling jobs. Seasonal maintenance is a good example. Instead of hiring a slew of contractors to work inside and outside the home, True Blue can clear the rain gutters, check the furnace, drain and flush the water heater, service the dryer vents and more in one visit.
Read more: Flagstaff’s most trusted fix: True Blue Handyman & Maintenance takes top honorA bonus, Lacy said, “is with a steady customer, I have ongoing knowledge of the home.” In the case of a minor plumbing problem, he suggested, “A plumber charges a fortune. I can offer the same experience at a fairer price with the same peace of mind because of my certifications.”
True Blue offers the same confidence commercially. Vacation rental owners need eyes on a place for repairs and upkeep performed. Property management companies and realty turns have similar requirements. In addition, before a house goes on the market, Lacy can do an audit to assess damages and do repairs or maintenance. This knowledge and reliability has built trust in True Blue to form familiar, working relationships with clients.
True Blue has an honored list of regulars with a busy phone of new customers calling.
“We’re all about customer service, putting them first with quality work.” Regarding untrustworthy and unlicensed work, Lacy added, “We don’t sell things customers don’t need, only whatever is called for. We cover the whole range of commercial and private needs.”
A free quote is available by phone, and the fee for an in-house estimate is waived when the service is performed. Hourly rates cover most problems at lower rates than servicemen, and many projects are gauged by flat fees.
Lacy credits his office manager, the first line of friendly contact, for managing customer relations.
“My wife Cynthia is amazing and runs the place, schedules and makes everything happen, so I can just go out there and fix stuff,” he said. “She is a wonderful partner, and our company’s success is based on both of us.”