You've got a job that needs doing at home. Do you call a plumber? An electrician? A handyman? The wrong choice means either paying trade rates for simple work, or getting someone unqualified for work that needs expertise.
Here's how to work it out.
The Basic Rule
Specialist tradespeople for work requiring:
- Qualifications by law
- Safety-critical systems
- Insurance requirements
- Building regulations sign-off
Handyman for:
- General repairs and maintenance
- Non-specialist work
- Multiple small jobs
- Jobs crossing multiple trades
When You MUST Use a Qualified Tradesperson
Gas Work - Gas Safe Registered Engineer
Never DIY or use a handyman for:
- Installing gas appliances (boilers, cookers, hobs)
- Moving gas pipes
- Any work on gas supply
- Boiler servicing
Legal requirement: All gas work must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Using anyone else is illegal and dangerous.
Electrical Work - Part P Regulations
Needs a qualified electrician:
- Consumer unit (fuse box) replacement
- New circuits
- Work in bathrooms and kitchens (near water)
- Adding outdoor sockets
- Any notifiable work under Part P
Can be done by anyone competent:
- Like-for-like socket replacement
- Light fitting changes
- Adding a spur to an existing circuit (grey area - some say yes, some say no)
The reality: Basic electrical work isn't hard, but if you're selling the house or claiming on insurance, you'll need certificates. A registered electrician provides these.
Plumbing - No Legal Requirements But...
Plumber recommended for:
- Boiler work (needs Gas Safe for gas boilers)
- Unvented hot water cylinders (needs G3 qualification)
- Work affecting mains supply
- Complex bathroom/kitchen installations
A good handyman can handle:
- Changing taps
- Fitting toilets
- Simple leak repairs
- Shower fitting (unless affecting electrics)
- Fixing drips
The line: Handymen can do most visible plumbing. The further back into the system you go, the more you need a plumber.
Structural Work - Structural Engineer + Builder
Always get professional advice for:
- Removing walls
- Roof work
- Foundation issues
- Anything affecting structure
When a Handyman Makes Sense
Multiple Small Jobs
A handyman charges one callout for multiple tasks. Getting a plumber, electrician, and carpenter for three small jobs means three callouts.
Example day for a handyman:
- Fit a few shelves
- Fix a door that sticks
- Change some tap washers
- Hang some pictures
- Touch up paint
A specialist would be overkill (and expensive) for any of these individually.
General Repairs
Most home repairs don't need specialists:
- Door and window repairs
- Flat pack furniture assembly
- Picture and mirror hanging
- Fence repairs
- Basic carpentry
- Fitting blinds and curtains
- General odd jobs
Maintenance Work
Regular maintenance is handyman territory:
- Gutter clearing
- Draught-proofing
- Silicone sealing
- Touch-up painting
- Tightening fixtures
When You're Not Sure What's Wrong
A good handyman can diagnose problems. If it turns out you need a specialist, they'll tell you. Better than guessing and calling the wrong trade.
Cost Comparison
| Professional | Typical Hourly Rate | Callout/Min Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Plumber | £50-£80/hr | £80-£120 |
| Electrician | £50-£80/hr | £80-£120 |
| Gas Engineer | £60-£90/hr | £80-£150 |
| Carpenter | £40-£60/hr | £80-£120 |
| Handyman | £40-£60/hr | £50-£80 |
The maths: If your job genuinely needs a plumber, pay for a plumber. But if you're paying plumber rates for fitting a toilet seat, you're overpaying.
Grey Area Jobs
Some jobs could go either way:
Installing a bathroom suite
- Plumber for the plumbing connections
- Handyman can do the rest (fitting, tiling, etc.)
- Or handyman for the whole lot if experienced
Kitchen fitting
- Specialist fitters do kitchens
- Handymen fit kitchens too
- Gas and electrics need qualified trades
- Often best as a coordinated project
Shower installation
- Electric shower = qualified electrician needed
- Mixer shower = handyman or plumber
- Tiling = handyman, tiler, or DIY
How to Choose
Ask yourself:
-
Is this legally regulated? Gas = Gas Safe. Some electrical = Part P.
-
Is this safety-critical? If getting it wrong could hurt someone, use a qualified trade.
-
How specialist is it? Rare skills (leadwork, lime plastering) need specialists.
-
Is it one job or several? Multiple jobs = handyman value.
-
What experience does the handyman have? Ask about their background.
What I Do and Don't Do
As a handyman, I do:
- General repairs and maintenance
- Carpentry and woodwork
- Painting and decorating
- Flat pack assembly
- Basic plumbing (taps, toilets, showers)
- Fixture fitting
- Garden jobs
I don't do:
- Gas work (not Gas Safe registered)
- Notifiable electrical work
- Structural alterations
- Roofing (specialists are safer)
If you call me for something outside my scope, I'll tell you and recommend someone who can help.
Not sure who you need? Give me a call - even if I'm not the right person for the job, I can point you in the right direction. 01392 964094 or get a quote.
Sam Hembury
Sam is the founder of Hembury Contracting, providing professional handyman services across Exeter and Devon. With years of experience in property maintenance, he shares practical tips to help homeowners tackle common tasks.