General Maintenance Handymen

A handyman can help with a wide range of practical jobs around the home that may fall outside the usual remit of a single trade. This can include minor carpentry, basic plumbing tasks, furniture assembly, decorating and general maintenance. Some handymen may also carry out certain electrical tasks, although electrical work must comply with the relevant regulations and some jobs should only be carried out by appropriately qualified tradespeople.

In terms of plumbing, a handyman may be able to undertake tasks such as adding an outdoor tap, replacing a toilet pan, changing taps or washers, connecting or replacing dishwashers or washing machines, and venting tumble dryers. However, work involving gas appliances or the gas supply must only be carried out by someone who is appropriately registered with Gas Safe.

For electrical jobs, the type of work a handyman can carry out will depend on their qualifications and the nature of the work. Electrical installations must comply with BS 7671, also known as the IET Wiring Regulations, and some work may also be notifiable under Building Regulations. If electrical work is required, check that the person carrying it out has the appropriate qualifications for the job.

Other tasks often carried out by handymen include garden or house clearance, digging, door trimming, fencing, fitting floating shelves, general repairs, grass cutting and strimming, gutter cleaning, hanging pictures or mirrors, hedge trimming, laying laminate flooring, lawn mowing, leaf clearance, loft insulation, planting, pruning and shed assembly.

Typical Handyman Costs

Typical handyman prices, including labour and materials but excluding VAT, can vary considerably around the UK. As a general guide, changing a Yale front door lock may cost around £75, assembling flat-pack furniture such as a double wardrobe and chest of drawers around £70, replacing a light fitting around £30, hanging pictures and mirrors on plasterboard walls around £40, replacing a single socket with a double socket around £60, fitting a curtain pole and hanging curtains for an average patio door around £45, and building MDF bookshelves into an alcove around £200. These figures are only general guides, so use the free "post a job" service on this site to compare prices from local handymen for your specific project.

Hiring a Handyman Tips

Hiring a handyman can be useful if you have several smaller jobs around the home and don't have the time, tools or skills to complete them yourself. Because handymen often carry out a range of different tasks, you may be able to hire one person for several jobs rather than arranging separate tradespeople for each one. Before hiring, check that they carry out the type of work you need and that they have suitable insurance.

You can ask friends, family or neighbours for recommendations and check online reviews to see what previous customers have said. You can also click the "post a job" button on this page, provide brief details about your requirements and have local companies that offer handyman services get in touch with prices. Always ask for a detailed written quote before work begins and be cautious if someone requests a large upfront payment without a clear reason.