Handyman or specialist: how to choose who to call

Why the choice matters

Many home jobs sit on a line between trades. A handyman can hang a light-weight shelf in minutes, but is that the same person to replace a ceiling light or fix a leaking pipe behind the basin? Choosing the right trade first saves a wasted visit, avoids paying twice and keeps licensed work in the right hands.

This article explains how to decide between a handyman, a licensed electrician or plumber, and an aircon specialist, with everyday examples. It does not repeat the detail in each trade's guide; for that, see the handyman guide, the electrician guide and the plumbing guide.

What a handyman is good at

A handyman is a generalist who handles small fixing, assembling and mounting jobs around the home. These jobs rarely involve the electrical supply or the water supply, and they reward speed and the right tools.

• Assembly: flat-pack wardrobes, beds, desks and shelves. The furniture assembly guide covers what to prepare.
• Mounting and hanging: TVs, shelves, mirrors, curtain rails and blinds.
• Doors and windows: adjusting hinges, fixing sticking doors and replacing handles. See the door and window repair guide.
• Locks: changing a door lock or a digital lock where no wiring work is needed.
• Small touch-ups: patching small holes, sealant around a basin or a touch of paint.

A handyman is often good value when you have several small jobs, since they can be grouped into one visit.

When you need a licensed electrician

Electrical work that involves the fixed wiring in your home should go to a licensed electrician. Read EMA's guidance on engaging licensed workers to understand which work needs one.

Typical examples are adding or moving a power point, installing new lighting points, rewiring, and any work on the DB box. Repeated power trips also belong with an electrician, since the cause may be a fault in a circuit or an appliance. The power trip guide explains what to check safely first.

A grey area: light fittings and TV mounting

Swapping a lamp shade or mounting a TV on a wall is handyman work. Replacing a ceiling light or adding a new power point behind the TV is electrical work. If a job starts as one and turns into the other, ask the handyman to stop and bring in a licensed electrician for the electrical part. The TV mounting guide covers this in more detail.

When you need a licensed plumber

Water-supply and sanitary plumbing work has its own rules. PUB's page on plumbing works explains which work must be carried out by a licensed plumber.

As a rule of thumb, a handyman can reseal around a basin or swap a shower head, while a plumber should handle leaking pipes, replacing taps on the supply line, water heater installation, toilet repairs inside the cistern and stubborn choked drains. If you are unsure, the licensed plumber guide explains what to ask.

When you need an aircon specialist

Aircon units combine electrical, refrigerant and drainage work, so they suit a specialist company rather than a general handyman. Servicing, chemical washes, gas top-ups, water leaks from the indoor unit and installation all belong here. The aircon servicing guide explains the common service types, and the aircon leaking water guide covers one of the most frequent problems.

Decision examples

Here are some everyday situations and who to call first.

• A wobbly wardrobe door: a handyman.
• A new shelf above the desk: a handyman, as long as there is no wiring in the wall where they drill.
• A ceiling fan that needs installing on an existing point: an electrician, or a company that uses licensed electricians for this work.
• An extra power point in the kitchen: a licensed electrician.
• A dripping tap: a plumber, especially if the tap needs replacing.
• Water dripping from the aircon indoor unit: an aircon specialist.
• Mould on bathroom sealant: a handyman to remove and redo the sealant.
• Power keeps tripping when it rains: a licensed electrician.

If you are still unsure

Some jobs genuinely need more than one trade. Installing a new kitchen cabinet with an under-cabinet light, for example, may need a handyman for the cabinet and a licensed electrician for the light point. In that case, ask whether the company can coordinate both, or book them separately and agree who goes first.

When you contact a company, describe the whole job, not just the part you think is theirs. Send photos of the area, mention any power points, pipes or aircon units nearby and ask directly whether any part of the work needs a licensed worker. It is better to hear "that part is not for us" before the visit than after a wasted trip. Area pages such as electricians serving Tampines can help you build a shortlist close to home.

Questions

Can a handyman do small electrical jobs?

A handyman can do work that does not touch the fixed wiring, such as mounting a TV or assembling a lamp. Work such as adding power points, replacing ceiling lights or anything at the DB box should go to a licensed electrician. Read EMA's guidance on engaging licensed workers if unsure.

Who should fix a leaking tap?

A plumber is the right choice when a tap needs repair or replacement on the supply line. A handyman can help with resealing around a basin, but PUB's page on plumbing works explains which work needs a licensed plumber.

Should a handyman service my aircon?

No, aircon servicing, gas top-ups, leaks and installation are better left to an aircon specialist, since the work combines electrical, refrigerant and drainage parts.