What Does a Handyman Do? [Ultimate Guide]
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What Does a Handyman Do?

13 Sep, 2024 / Handyman / Written by ServiceTasker Team / 102 Views / Last Updated 30 Sep, 2024

What Does a Handyman Do?




A handyman knows all home repairs and can complete most tasks without issues. Their wide range of skills varies from basic handyman services to compound plumbing, electrical, and carpentry work. Years of experience and continuous training on different tools and techniques help them to work perfectly. Additionally, dealing with different homeowners regularly makes them more accommodating and aware of various home improvement problems. The extent of their work varies but they are professionals with years of experience in their quality work. Handymen usually charge per hour or by job, particularly for small tasks that take only a few hours to complete.




How Big Is The Handymen Industry In Australia?


The handyman industry in Australia plays a vital role in maintaining and repairing residential and commercial properties. The Australian handyman services market is growing, with thousands of self-employed handymen and businesses offering services. It's estimated that the handyman industry generates millions of dollars in revenue annually, largely from small to medium-sized projects.


Handymen services are widely available in metropolitan areas like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, and many also serve regional areas, ensuring broad market coverage across Australia.



Handymen services are widely available in metropolitan areas like Sydney, Melbourne, and Melbourne, and many also serve regional areas, ensuring broad market coverage across Australia.



Handymen typically provide a wide range of services, including minor plumbing repairs, electrical work, carpentry, painting, furniture assembly, and general home maintenance. They are often hired for tasks that don’t require a licensed tradesperson or for smaller jobs that don’t justify a specialised professional cost.




Preference for Handymen vs. Plumbers, Electricians, and Other Specialists



  • Cost-Effectiveness: Many Australian homeowners prefer handymen for minor tasks because they tend to be more cost-effective than hiring licensed professionals like plumbers, electricians, or carpenters. The cost for a handyman's services is typically lower as they don’t have the same overheads or licensing fees.

  • Convenience: Homeowners appreciate the convenience of hiring a handyman who can handle multiple tasks in one visit, rather than needing to coordinate different tradespeople for smaller, varied jobs.

  • Specific Use Cases: For larger, more complex, or legally regulated tasks such as major plumbing or electrical work, most people will opt for licensed professionals, due to the law. However, handymen are still preferred for smaller or non-urgent tasks, such as fixing a leaking tap, repairing doors, or painting.




Handyman Projects and Fix-Up Tasks


Handymen are the best choice for minor repairs and maintenance in Australia due to their affordability, convenience, and versatility. Some common services provided by handymen are:



  • Attaching plant hire tool

  • General carpentry work

  • Fitting shelves units

  • Making sheds and shelters

  • Fixing toilets and drains

  • Painting and decorating walls and ceilings

  • Placing decks

  • Repairing, installation/replacement of the doors

  • Spas insulation installation

  • Home security systems

  • Fan installation

  • Repairing fences

  • Drywall repair

  • Remodelling and painting

  • Minor plumbing and electrical work




Most Important Works Done By Handymen




  • Critical Repairs: Leaky taps, broken doors, and faulty light switches can be fixed by handymen. They tackle small repairs that do not need specialised job skills.

  • Maintenance Tasks: Regular servicing such as changing light bulbs, cleaning gutters, and painting. They also help with tasks that turn aside larger issues from emerging.

  • Assembly And Installation: Handymen can also execute basic carpentry or mechanical skills. They can handle the assembly of trampolines, home gyms, and treadmills.

  • Gardening And Outdoor Work: Some handymen can also handle all the tasks related to outdoor maintenance, such as lawn cutting, hedge trimming, or constructing simple garden structures like fences.

  • Home Improvement Projects: Helping with or completing small restoration projects such as tiling, plastering or installing new attachments. They can repair decks, patios, pergolas, driveways and pavements.




Can The Handyman Help With Assembly?


A handyman can rapidly put your furniture, or kitchen appliances together if you have bought flat-pack furniture or a kitchen. They can also install a kitchen. Employing a handyman is the best way to modernise your kitchen on a budget because they can perform the plumbing or electrical wiring, and hiring a handyman is usually less costly than installing a flatpack kitchen.


An expert handyman is also good at helping you with your furniture. Many of them use woodworking tools and have workshops in their garages. They can handle the assembly of trampolines, home gyms, bicycles, fans, and treadmills. They can assemble furniture of all types including sofas, couches, loveseats, and chairs.




Can Handymen Help With Door or Lock Installation?


A handyman takes a few important steps in the door or lock installation. They will make sure that the job is done perfectly and safely. The handyman will check the area where the door or lock will be installed. They will also help you choose the appropriate materials and styles according to your needs.


The handyman will remove the existing door and its stuff for door installation. They will inspect the door frame for any destruction. They will perform the required repair work to ensure the new doors fit properly. The new door will be hung and adjusted to fit the frame. It will also provide the smooth opening and closing of the doors. The handyman will make the necessary adjustments, such as sanding the doors to eradicate the gaps or sticking problems. They may use finishing touches, such as painting or staining the door and frame.




Can Handymen Fix Drywall Damage Issues?


It is a common task that handymen in Australia tackle routinely. The handyman will inspect the damaged drywall to check the level of the damage. They will clear the area around the damage by moving furniture, covering floors with drop cloths and sealing off the areas to safeguard them from dust. For filling small holes, or cracks they will use a joint compound. A simple application of spackle might be enough for small holes and larger cracks, they may use a patching compound and support it with a paper patch. When the filler is dry the handyman will sand it smooth with the surrounding wall. After sanding they will prime the patched area and seal it. Once the paint is all dried up they will paint over it with the matching existing wall colour.




Perception of Safety and Project Success With Handymen



  • Safety: Homeowners feel safe hiring handymen for minor repairs and non-specialised tasks, especially when the handyman comes from a well-established company or is highly rated on service platforms like ServiceTasker™, or ServiceSeeking. However, they may be cautious about safety and qualifications for more technical or risky jobs, such as electrical or gas repairs.

  • Insurance & Licensing: Many handymen carry general liability insurance to protect against damage or injury, adding to the sense of security for homeowners. Some jobs legally require licensed tradespeople, which limits the range of services a handyman can provide in those categories.

  • Project Success Rate: The success rate for handyman projects in Australia tends to be high, particularly for simple tasks like painting, assembling furniture, or minor repairs. For more complex tasks, success depends on the handyman’s skills and the complexity of the job. Homeowners often report high satisfaction levels when they hire handymen through trusted platforms with verified reviews.

  • Consumer Confidence: Australians rely on peer reviews, recommendations, and service platforms when hiring handymen, contributing to higher confidence in successful project outcomes.

  • Note: Safety and success rates are generally high when handymen are properly vetted, particularly through reliable service platforms.





Conclusion


Handymen skills are broad and allow them to handle various tasks. They can perform installations, maintenance, replacements and repairs of almost anything, swiftly and trustfully. You can check FREE quotes from 3-5 contractors to hire a high-quality handyman service. You can get online cost estimates and other details for your work to manage your project easily and successfully.




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