How to hire a handyman

From leaky faucets to squeaky doors, our homes inevitably present us with a variety of small repairs and maintenance tasks as time goes on. While you can solve some issues yourself, many are best tackled by a skilled professional often known as a handyman.

Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, there are numerous situations that can make the services of a handyman invaluable. 

Picture this: You’re trying to hang a new shelf, but the task requires drilling into the wall and making sure it’s level. Or perhaps you notice a persistent drip from your bathroom faucet that needs fixing before it could turn into a major plumbing disaster. These are just a few instances in which the expertise of a handyman can come in handy (pun intended). 

In this article, we’ll explore the role of a handyman, the wide range of skills they bring to the table, and how to safely hire the best candidate for the job.

With this comprehensive guide, the next time you’re faced with a home repair or improvement project, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how hiring a handyman can help you achieve the best results.

What does a handyman do?

A handyman is a skilled professional who is capable of performing a variety of tasks related to home maintenance, repair, and improvement. They may not have the same level of expertise as specialized tradespeople, but are often the go-to professionals when you want some minor repairs and odd jobs to be done around the house. 

Handymen are versatile individuals and their scope of work can include carpentry, plumbing, electrical repairs, painting, general maintenance, and more. They acquire skills through hands-on experience or some kind of formal training and provide a cost-effective solution to homeowners.

Handyman hard skills

So, what are the must-have skills for qualified handymen? 

Let’s first look at the hard skills that each handyman needs, such as appliance installation, carpentry, and basic plumbing. 

Carpentry

Carpentry is one of the most sought-after skills people look for in a handyman. The ability to install cabinets, build and assemble custom shelves, anchor bookcases, and repair any broken furniture at home is necessary for any handyman. 

Carpentry is a skill for which you don’t really need a license. Many handymen develop their skills over years of practice and become experts to the point where they can handle entire projects on their own. 

A skilled handyman will be able to tackle carpentry tasks of all sizes like remodels, home additions, cabinetry, and laying out decks or porches.

Plumbing

Plumbing is another key skill that a handyman should have, at least at a basic level (for complex tasks you’ll probably need to hire a plumber.) Every house has a network of pipes and drainage systems connected to appliances, machines, water fixtures, and toilets.

Laying or unclogging drains, fixing running toilets or leaky faucets, and replacing seals are some of the basic plumbing tasks that you might need help with. This is where a handyman with plumbing skills comes in handy. 

Apart from tackling small tasks like repairing, a skilled handyman should be able to undertake complex tasks like replacing water heaters, installing new faucets or plumbing fixtures, and even removing or replacing damaged pipes and connections.

The fundamentals of electricity

Electrical issues are common in every household. Switchboards not working, appliances not powering on, fused lights, or installation of festive lights are some common electrical tasks that frequently need attention. 

A handyman can be called for minor electrical repairs like changing light fixtures, replacing switches, installing outlets, resetting circuit breakers, or working with fuse boxes. 

Working with electric currents can be hazardous, however, so look for handymen who have an electrician’s license. They’ll be familiar with electrical safety protocols, trained to troubleshoot common electrical problems, and, if properly licensed, can even install your entire electrical network.

Appliance installation

Installing common household appliances is a typical handyman’s job. Appliances like TVs, dryers, washers, refrigerators, dishwashers, and lawn sprinklers typically require an experienced handyman. 

Installing such appliances can require a mixture of electrical, plumbing, carpentry, and motor operation knowledge, and successful handymen are often trained in general appliance installation and repair.

Painting

You mix some paint, dip your brush in the can, and start painting the house of your dreams. 

Although painting might seem easy, there are a number of techniques and hidden rules that’ll give you the best finish. This is why it’s best to leave tasks like interior and exterior painting to an experienced handyman. They’ll be skilled in surface preparation, mixing primer and paint efficiently, and achieving the smoothest finish.

General repairs

“General repairs” is a broad term that includes several common household tasks like fixing squeaky doors, waxing floors, repairing drywall, replacing broken tiles, gutter cleaning, mending worn or damaged walls, garden maintenance, pothole filling, and removing and replacing flooring and carpeting. 

A handyman should possess a versatile skill set to address these common repair tasks efficiently.

Handyman soft skills

Being a handyman means dealing with clients practically all the time. To do a good job consistently, handymen need several soft skills that we’ll talk about in this section.

Time management

Time management is an essential skill every handyman needs to possess to complete their work successfully. They should be able to estimate how much time their jobs will take and then prioritize tasks effectively. 

Inefficient time management and disorganized working will extend the timely completion of projects and likely leave your house looking like a mess or leave you incapable of using the affected appliance, furniture, or cabinet until the work is finished.

Communication

Good interpersonal and communication skills are crucial for a handyman. If they’re not able to listen and understand your needs completely, then they won’t be able to deliver the project as you had imagined. 

Besides listening, they should be adept in explaining technical details and communicating project progress, requirements, precautions and recommendations. 

Problem solving

Perhaps one of the most important skills for a handyman is problem-solving ability. Every house is built uniquely with its own electrical and plumbing layout, materials, dimensions, and set of problems. 

A handyman should possess excellent problem-solving skills so that they can identify issues and plan how to solve them on a case-by-case basis. A little bit of creativity is also needed for adapting solutions according to different homes and their internal design. 

Attention to detail

Imagine calling a handyman to fix a shelf on the wall, but they drill a hole in the electrical wiring and cause a blackout throughout your entire house. Or the carpenter you called to fix your broken furniture takes the measurements incorrectly and leaves you with a chair that has one short leg. 

This is why handymen should have a keen eye for detail. Even slight mistakes in taking measurements, doing alignments, applying finishing paint, or reading the house layout can lead to much bigger issues down the line.

How to test handyman skills

Now that you know what skills to look for in candidates, you probably want to know how to hire the best handyman, or, in other words, how to assess those skills.

If you’re looking to hire someone for a one-time job, you can simply ask your friends and family for recommendations of skilled professionals in your area. If you have a larger home improvement project, however, or if you’re managing several properties, you’ll want to deepen your search to find a trusted handyman you can count on to do an excellent job. 

In this case, it might make sense to post a job ad and evaluate the skills of applicants with an online skills assessment. If you use TestGorilla for this, you can combine up to five skills tests in a single assessment. Here are the tests we recommend using for handyman recruitment: 

1. Fundamentals of electricity test. This test lets you evaluate applicants’ familiarity with the fundamentals of electricity, their ability to work with electrical circuits, and their knowledge of safety rules.

2. Time management test. Make sure the handyman you hire knows how to manage their time efficiently with this test. 

3. Problem solving test. Problem solving is one of the most critical skills for handymen. You can assess it with this test.

4. Communication skills test. Find skilled communicators who know how to explain complex topics in simple terms with our Communication skills test.

5. Attention to detail test. Every handyman needs a keen eye for detail to make sure everything is working properly and looks well. 

If you’d like to evaluate other skills, simply browse our test library to find the tests that best match your requirements. 

Where to find a handyman

So, where should you look for suitable candidates to assess? You can find handymen from various sources, which we’ve listed below: 

Local directories

Local directories are one of the fastest ways to find a handyman in your area. Local newspapers and online listings often provide comprehensive information about handymen in the area, including their contact details, area of expertise, and reviews from customers. 

The directory might contain ratings or rankings for the handymen as well so that you can gauge their reliability and reputation. The advantage of using local directories is the ability to find workers in your vicinity who can arrive and provide service just a few hours after you call them.

Online platforms

There are several online apps and platforms that connect homeowners with handymen. 

These platforms give you the flexibility to choose which handymen you want to work with and when they should come to your house. You can also schedule work for a future date and book a handyman right on the app. 

Platforms like TaskRabbit and HomeAdvisor have a wide range of qualified handymen that have gone through training and assessment to prove their abilities. Their user-friendly interfaces allow you to post details about the project and what needs to be done.

The platform will then suggest a few handymen and their quoted prices along with their profiles that include their experience, skills, customer ratings, and reviews. You can shortlist the one that fulfills your requirements and budgets and book them right there on the platform. 

By using online platforms, you get more visibility on the proficiency of a handyman and can compare quotes as well.

Referrals

One of the most reliable ways to find a trustworthy handyman is through personal referrals. There’s no better way to judge the quality of work for a handyman than by asking your friends, family, neighbors, or colleagues for whom that handyman worked. 

Recommendations from people you trust provide insight into the professionalism and reliability of that handyman and provide a sense of ease. You can ask your friends, family, local hardware shops, and even the security guard of your apartment to source a reliable handyman.

Social media

Local community groups or neighborhood-specific groups available on social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, or Nextdoor can be valuable resources for finding appropriate handymen. 

These online communities often have members who have employed the services of certain handymen and can help you in not just finding one to help with your projects, but also by sharing their experience and views working with that particular handymen. This will give you a better idea of how that handyman works, their skills, and real-time feedback.

By exploring these avenues, you can create a list of potential handymen and proceed with further research and vetting to ensure you hire a reliable and skilled professional for your needs. 

Remember to check their licenses, insurance, and necessary certifications. If you’d like to hire someone for a large project (or multiple properties), you can ask them to complete an online assessment before finalizing the decision.

Sample job description for a handyman

Here’s an example of a job description that you can post online or share with friends and family when you want to hire a handyman. 

Please note that roles and responsibilities can change according to the project, and this example only lists some of the most common responsibilities and requirements for a handyman.

Job Title: Handyman

Job Responsibilities:

• Perform various repairs, maintenance tasks, and improvements around residential properties. This includes tasks related to carpentry, plumbing, electrical, painting, and general repairs.

• Address plumbing issues such as fixing leaks, unclogging drains, replacing faucets, and installing plumbing fixtures.

• Handle basic electrical repairs such as changing light fixtures, installing outlets, or replacing switches.

• Conduct routine inspections to identify potential problems and recommend appropriate solutions.

• Coordinate with clients to understand their needs, provide estimates for projects, and discuss project timelines.

• Ensure that work is completed accurately, efficiently, and within established deadlines.

• Maintain a clean and organized work area, adhering to safety guidelines.

Job Requirements:

• Proven experience as a handyman or in a similar role, demonstrating competence in various repair and maintenance tasks.

• Proficiency in carpentry, plumbing, electrical repairs, painting, and general repairs.

• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently.

• Excellent communication and customer service skills.

• Basic knowledge of tools, equipment, and materials required for various projects.

Average salary of a handyman

How much will it cost you to hire a handyman?

According to Zippia, the average salary for a handyman in the US ranges from $32,000 to $61,000 per year with the median salary being $44,648. 

If you’re looking to employ someone full time, the salary you offer will vary based on factors such as the state and type of area (urban or rural), the level of certifications and expertise, and the services rendered. 

If you’re looking to hire a handyman for a one-off task, simply ask them for a cost estimate. You can collect a few cost estimates before you make a hiring decision. 

Handyman interview questions

Once you’ve shortlisted some handymen candidates for the job, it’s time to ask them some questions related to their experience, abilities, and the project at hand. Here’s a list of sample questions that you can ask in the interview:

1. Which types of repair and maintenance tasks are you most experienced in?

2. How do you handle situations when you encounter a problem you’re unfamiliar with?

3. Can you share an example of a project that presented unique challenges and how you successfully resolved them?

4. How do you prioritize tasks and manage your time effectively?

5. How do you ensure that you communicate effectively with clients throughout a project?

6. How do you approach safety precautions while working on a project?

7. Are you comfortable providing estimates for projects and managing budgets?

Hire the best handyman with skills testing

Zippia reports that there are more than 91,000 handyman contractors in the US alone. It can feel overwhelming to pick the right candidate for the task amidst the sea of handymen available. 

To streamline your handyman hiring process and hire the best professional, you can use pre-employment skills testing for interested candidates.

Invite them to take a skills assessment that is specifically tailored to evaluate their proficiency in key skills, such as time management and sufficient knowledge of the fundamentals of electricity. This will help you identify the best handyman suitable for the project.

To streamline your hiring process and ensure you find the most qualified handymen, consider starting a free trial of TestGorilla today. With TestGorilla’s comprehensive skills assessments, you can identify the best talent fast and without bias.