16/06/2026
Finding and choosing a Handyman – What to look out for
As a recent start up Handyman but somebody with 30+ years in a previous career appointing suppliers, contractors and running projects I thought it would be useful to share my approach on this from the Customers perspective:
1. Recommendations/Reviews!
Can’t beat them, especially from people you know. Tricky thing for me to state as a start-up with not a huge number of recommendations on social/web yet but its undeniably the best way for peace of mind.
2. Quality of communications and Quote
The Quote should be clear and comprehensive with detail proportionate to the job size/value. A good quote clearly lists the ‘Scope’, e.g. a description of the Works – the physical things being worked and what processes are involved to prepare/strip, fix, finish, etc; and the ‘Specification’, e.g. what materials or products are being used. Are some things Provisional? For instance, Wallpaper or paint or timber may not be chosen yet by the Customer so should be excluded from the quote, whereas the fixing of the items can be included.
Simple ‘one liner’ quotes for thousands of pounds worth of work should be a red-flag, although may be ok for simple smaller value jobs.
3. Number of Quotes
Unless it’s a small job or you are very happy with your previously used/recommended Handyman get at least 2 quotes - 3 if a larger project. Pretty obvious as a way to get a feel for reliability, professionalism and value for money, and will require more of your time and effort but worth doing so for peace of mind.
4. Exclusions/Inclusions.
Are all elements supply and fix or just fix? Who is supplying the materials – Customer or Handyman? If provisional items and the customer wants the Handyman to supply then a good way forward can be at cost plus a handling percentage, or more simply the customer just supplies themselves. Is waste disposal included or not. Commercial waste disposal (via skips, etc) can be an expensive matter and should be clearly set out as either within or outside of the quote. Some Works types e.g. most Electrical, and all Gas etc should only be undertaken by qualified trades and an uncertificated Handyman doing this work can invalidate the homeowners insurance.
5. VAT.
Most small businesses are not vat registered and these should not be charging vat on to the customer and vat is not legally due. What this means practically is that vat is paid on materials bought by the Customer/Handyman but vat is not charged or required to be collected on the labour element.
6. Timing.
Sure, once you’ve hired someone you want them in and out asap but be clear as a Customer if there is a ‘time of the essence’ matter, for instance is the property going to be sold or rented out by a due date, or does the work need to be completed before or while you are on holiday. On early enquiry ask what the Handyman’s schedule is looking like – waiting 4 or 5 weeks etc may be ok, or your deadline may be more imminent. A decent Handyman will not ‘over price’ an urgent job and in any case multiple quotes will filter this out. The duration of the work can be difficult to pin down but the Handyman will of course have to have costed this element so should be able to give a fair indication.
Generally most Customers will want to have direct control over selecting final fix products for their home – the paint, wallpaper, kitchen and bathroom fixtures, fittings etc, and leave the more basic materials to the Handyman who is best placed to handle that part, but flexibility is key and a good Handyman will listen and advise the Customer depending on their confidence levels with these issues.
In my experience most disputes arise due to lack of clarity on the project parameters where parties just make assumptions about respective responsibilities. This is all avoidable with well set out quotes and expectations.
Thanks for reading and best wishes in your next Handyman search.
