The do’s and don’ts for hiring a handyman There are plenty of horror stories about people getting ripped off by cowboy builders – but these unfortunate incidents are less common than you might think. Nevertheless, the idea of being left in the lurch by a tradesmen with a half-done home improvement has created a culture of fear and mistrust in the construction industry. As a result, the majority of builders get branded as “cowboys” unfairly.

Don’t let these false stereotypes discourage you from getting work done – instead get armed with information and evaluate your options looking at each tradesman’s track record to find the best person to hire for your job.

The first step is to understand the capacity of what you need done and hire the appropriate type of specialist needed. For a nation of home improvement enthusiasts, most Brits are clueless about who does what in the building trades. Without knowing any better, it’s no surprise that we turn to a general handyman for all manner of jobs – from a leaky tap to a new roof. The result can be disastrous.

So, what type of jobs are suitable for a jack of all trades and when should we employ a specialist tradesman?

Handymen are usually multi-skilled tradesmen who focus on small, everyday jobs around the house. A handyman is perfect for simple repairs and maintenance, including very basic plumbing and electrical work. Handyman jobs should normally be completed within half a day to a day. Jobs taking longer than this could indicate that a specialist tradesman is needed.

Certain jobs, no matter how small, must be carried out by a suitably qualified tradesman. For instance, any gas work must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer or plumber. Similarly, many electrical jobs must be approved by your Local Authority Building Control unless they’ve been carried out by a qualified electrician who is registered with a Competent Person scheme.

Whoever you decide to employ, always shop around a bit first. Compare multiple quotes and make sure you’re completely happy with the work before you part with your money.

Handyman or tradesman?