Handyman services fill the gap between I can do this myself and I need a specialty contractor. A good handyman is one of the highest-leverage hires a homeowner can make.
The classic handyman menu
Mounting and installation
- TVs (wall-mount with proper anchors)
- Shelves, floating shelves, picture rails
- Curtain rods, blinds, mirrors
- Ceiling fans (in existing fan-rated boxes)
- Smart doorbells, thermostats, cameras
- Towel bars, toilet paper holders
Assembly
- Furniture (IKEA, ready-to-assemble)
- Exercise equipment (Peloton, treadmills)
- Outdoor furniture, grills, fire pits
- Trampolines, swing sets
- Cribs and kids' furniture
Small repairs
- Squeaky doors, sticky drawers
- Loose railings, banisters
- Cabinet hardware
- Door knob and lockset replacement
- Caulking
- Drywall patching
- Touch-up painting
- Toilet seats, faucet aerators, showerheads
Outdoor / seasonal
- Power-washing decks, fences, siding
- Gutter cleaning
- Holiday lights install and removal
- Storm window swaps
When to hire a specialist instead
Plumbing beyond faucet swap or toilet install — licensed plumber.
Electrical beyond fixture/outlet swap — licensed electrician.
HVAC beyond filter changes — HVAC contractor.
Roofing beyond gutter cleaning — roofer.
Major flooring — specialty installer.
Anything structural — general contractor.
The while you're here trap
Handymen will often agree to take a look at things outside their normal scope. Sometimes works out, sometimes goes wrong. Ask: have you done this work before? If hedgy, hire a specialist.
Make visits efficient
- Batch 4-6 small tasks per visit
- Have materials ready if told to
- Walk through everything at the start
- Prioritize most-important items first