What does a Handyman do?

Handymen do practical tasks that make life easier for their employers or clients. Handymen complete minor repairs, install safety equipment and help assemble furniture. They complete small jobs that require specific knowledge or expertise such as fixing light sockets, re-hanging doors and repairing fixtures or fittings. Some specialise in particular services such as house clearance, bathroom installation or laying flooring. Handymen work in offices repairing furniture, moving equipment and conducting health and safety checks on lifts, air conditioning units and other office facilities.

Handyman skills and qualifications

There are no specific qualifications to be a Handyman. The skill set varies depending on the type of business, the setting and size of premises. Having the relevant experience is an advantage. A successful Handyman candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications that include:

• Scheduling, offering customer service and routine bookings
• Repairing and maintaining heating systems, bleeding radiators and flushing systems
• Bricklaying and masonry
• Laying stone patios and paving driveways
• Maintenance cleaning
• Measuring and calculations
• Tiling and grouting

Handyman experience requirements

Handymen need practical experience in working with machinery and hydraulic equipment. Candidates with vocational experience or apprenticeships have practical training. Applicants who have worked in construction have useful experience in adhering to health and safety regulations while working as part of a team.

Handyman education and training requirements

Handymen need literacy and arithmetic at General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) levels or equivalent. The National Vocational Qualification (NVQ), Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) and City and Guilds training courses focus on the practical skills that are ideal for Handymen. Entry-level Handyman jobs offer on-the-job training, but a relevant apprenticeship in a practical trade skill, such as welding or fabrication, is a bonus. Handyman roles with a more specific remit require advanced qualifications from Gas Safe Register, Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) and from being a Domestic Installer.

Handyman salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Handyman is £12.43 per hour. Their pay depends on their level of experience and any specialist skills they may have. Hourly wages vary depending on the setting they are working in and the area of the country in which they are based.

Job description samples for similar positions

If you’re not quite sure if a Handyman is what you need, then look at these job description samples that might help:

• Plumber
• Labourer