By the Sleak Property Services team ·
A handyman takes on the small and medium jobs around a home that are too fiddly, too time-consuming or too awkward to do yourself, but don't need a specialist trade. Think doors that stick, shelves that need putting up, a leaking tap, a broken fence panel or a list of little jobs that has been growing for months.
Here's what that covers in practice, what a handyman shouldn't do, and how to get the most out of a visit.
Jobs around the house
- Easing, re-hanging and adjusting doors, and fitting new handles and locks
- Putting up shelves, curtain poles, blinds, mirrors, pictures and TV brackets
- Assembling flat-pack furniture and fixing furniture to walls
- Filling holes and cracks, patching plaster and touch-up decorating
- Re-sealing baths, showers and sinks, and replacing grout
- Fixing dripping taps, running toilets and loose fittings
- Replacing skirting, architrave, door stops and damaged trim
- Fitting draught excluders, letterbox brushes and loft hatches
Jobs outside
- Repairing or replacing fence panels, posts and gates
- Fixing sheds, re-felting shed roofs and fitting new shed doors
- Small repairs to paths, steps and edging
- Clearing gutters on single-storey buildings
- Fitting house numbers, post boxes, hooks and outdoor lights to existing points
Jobs a handyman shouldn't do
Some work legally needs a qualified, registered tradesperson, and a good handyman will tell you so rather than having a go:
- Any work on gas appliances, pipes or boilers, which must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer
- New electrical circuits, consumer units and most work in bathrooms, which should be done by a registered electrician
- Structural changes such as removing walls, which need proper design and usually building regulations approval
If a small job turns out to be a bigger one, it's better to know before anything is opened up. We'll say if something needs a specialist and, where we can, point you to one.
Getting small jobs priced
The quickest way to get a price is to send a photo or two of each job with a line about what you want done. For a list of small jobs, put them all in one message. Grouping several jobs into a single visit is nearly always better value than calling someone out for each one.
We price most handyman work up front from photos or a quick look, so you know the cost before we start.
Handyman help for landlords
Between tenancies, a handyman visit can clear most of the snagging list in a day: doors, handles, sealant, curtain poles, fence panels and the small repairs that make a property ready to photograph and let. We send dated photos of everything fixed.
Common questions
What is the difference between a handyman and a builder?
A handyman covers small and medium repairs, fixing and fitting jobs. A builder takes on larger construction work such as extensions, structural alterations and major renovations.
Can a handyman do electrical or gas work?
Gas work must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and new circuits or work on the consumer unit should be done by a registered electrician. A handyman can do simple like-for-like jobs, but should tell you when something needs a specialist.
Is it worth getting a handyman for one small job?
Yes, but it's better value to group several small jobs into one visit. Send a photo of each and we'll price them together.