What jobs can a handyman legally do?

Most non-notifiable work: shelving, furniture assembly, painting, picture hanging, minor carpentry, fence repair, simple plumbing (non-gas), lock changes, gutter cleaning. Anything involving gas, notifiable electrics, structural timber, or regulated trades (FENSA windows) is off-limits.

How much is a handyman hourly?

UK handyman rates in 2026 typically run £35–£60 per hour outside London, £50–£80 per hour in London — significantly cheaper than specialist trades.

Can I save money by bundling small jobs?

Yes — this is the biggest win with handymen. Five small jobs in one visit at £45/hour beats five call-outs from five specialists. Plan a list of small things and book a half-day or full-day handyman visit.

When is a specialist legally required?

Any gas work (Gas Safe). Notifiable electrical work — new circuits, consumer unit, bathroom/kitchen electrics (Part P). New double-glazed windows (FENSA). Replacement boilers (MCS for renewables). Structural alterations (Building Regulations approval).

Handyman vs Specialist Trade: When to Use Each (2026)

A handyman is the right choice for most household odd-jobs and can save you hundreds of pounds over booking specialist trades for each individual task. A specialist is non-negotiable for anything regulated by law — gas, notifiable electrical work, FENSA windows, structural alterations — where using a handyman is illegal and voids insurance. The trick is knowing which side of the line each job sits on.

What can a handyman legally do?

Flat-pack and furniture assembly
Shelves, curtain rails, wall-mounted TV brackets
Picture hanging, mirror fixing
Interior painting and minor decorating
Lock changes, door handle repair
Non-gas plumbing: taps, washers, toilet mechanisms, unblocking
Small carpentry: skirting, door catches, floorboard squeaks
Minor electrical (non-notifiable): like-for-like replacement of a light switch or socket on an existing circuit, in a non-special location — though legally a Part P certificate may still be needed for some installations, and many handymen don't carry one
Fence repair, shed work, garden furniture
Gutter cleaning, minor roof repairs at safe working height
Minor masonry: re-pointing a small area, fixing loose slabs

What requires a specialist?

Gas: Gas Safe registered engineer only. Boiler installs, gas cooker fittings, gas pipework — all of it.
Notifiable electrical work: new circuits, consumer unit replacement, electrics in bathrooms and kitchens — requires a Part P competent person (NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA)
New double-glazed windows and doors: requires FENSA or CERTASS registration
Boiler installation: Gas Safe and often MCS for heat pumps
Structural alterations: load-bearing walls, extensions — requires Building Regulations approval and typically a structural engineer + qualified builder
Asbestos removal: licensed asbestos contractor (HSE register)
Roofing replacement (full roof, not patch): NFRC or CompetentRoofer scheme
Specialist flooring (solid wood, stone, complex tiling): a specialist installer — handyman tiling often fails at grouting edges
Kitchen installation (plumbing + electrics + gas): specialist kitchen fitter or multi-trade

How can I save money bundling small jobs?

Walk through your house with a notebook and write down every small job — the wobbly shelf, the door that catches, the picture you never hung, the bathroom cabinet you bought six months ago. Book a half-day or full-day handyman visit. At £45–£60 per hour, eight small jobs in a day costs £360–£480 total. Done piecemeal with different tradesmen, those same jobs would cost double.

How do I find a good handyman?

Multiple positive reviews over time
Can show public liability insurance
Willing to give a per-hour or per-job quote upfront
Brings their own standard tools
Honest about what they won't touch (a handyman who says yes to gas work is dangerous)

What about insurance?

A good handyman carries public liability insurance of at least £1m. Ask to see the certificate. If they damage your property or cause an accident, that's what compensates you. Uninsured handymen are cheaper but the risk of a bad outcome is entirely on you.

How does GeraHome handle both?

Our platform lists both handymen and specialist trades. Filters show credentials (Gas Safe, NICEIC, etc.) so you can see at a glance who's qualified for what. Bookings are escrow-protected regardless of category. Multi-job visits are supported — book a handyman for a list of tasks, not just one at a time.