Electrician or handyman?

Electrician vs handyman: side-by-side comparison

The Energy Market Authority (EMA) licenses LEWs and lists the electrical work they carry out or supervise at home. The table sets out how the two trades differ.

EMA's electrical safety page counts any rewiring, modification or alteration, repair or replacement to the electrical installation as electrical work. It also says new wiring, rewiring and extensions are tested by an authorised officer from SP Services before supply is turned on. To check a worker, search EMA's ELISE portal or call 6835 8075.

Can a handyman do electrical work?

No, not unless they also hold an LEW licence. EMA says electrical work at home should be carried out or supervised by a Licensed Electrical Worker. Its list covers:

• installation, repair or modification of electrical wiring
• addition, extension or replacement of power points such as socket-outlets, switches or lighting points
• repair or replacement of consumer control units or circuit breakers

EMA says electrical work in an HDB flat needs a Licensed Electrician, the class of LEW approved for loads of up to 45kVA. Larger installations call for a Licensed Electrical Technician or Licensed Electrical Engineer, as EMA's licensing table shows.

So there is no lighter route for handyman electrical work. If a task is on that list, it needs an LEW, whatever the job is called on the quote. A handyman who also holds an LEW licence can do it; one without the licence should not. For each item in more depth, see what work needs an LEW.

Work reserved for LEWs

The LEW does more than the wiring. EMA says the LEW inspects and certifies that the installation is safe before supply is turned on. New wiring, rewiring and extensions must also be tested by an authorised officer from SP Services before supply can be turned on.

HDB says all wiring installation work must be carried out by an LEW. It does not allow wiring to be embedded in reinforced concrete slabs, beams, columns, walls, wall plaster or other finishes, so new wiring runs in surface trunking, above a false ceiling or behind carpentry. Once the work is done, you apply to SP Services for testing through your LEW.

Can a handyman install a light, then? Not a new light point, and not a replacement light fitting on the circuit. Both are lighting point work on EMA's list, so they need an LEW. For this job, see light installation.

Tasks a handyman may do

Many home jobs have no electrical part at all. These suit handymen:

• mounting TV brackets and shelves
• assembling furniture
• putting up curtain rods
• painting
• door and lock work

HDB restricts heavy and excessive drilling to 9am to 5pm on weekdays only, and not on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays or the eves of New Year's Day, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya Puasa and Christmas Day. HDB asks you to take care not to damage concealed electrical cables when drilling. For flats with concealed wiring originally provided by HDB, refer to HDB's sketch before drilling into those walls. Some new flats have Ferrolite partition walls, typically in bedrooms, which take up to a maximum of 50kg per bolt depending on the anchor type, so you and your contractor must use the appropriate anchor bolt for heavy items.

For more examples, see the handyman job list.

To see what handymen publish for common jobs, use the handyman cost estimator.

Risks of unlicensed work

The Consumer Product Safety Office (CPSO) says to always engage a Licensed Electrical Worker for electrical installation, maintenance and repair work, and to check the worker's credentials.

EMA warns that overloading power points may lead to over-heating and start a fire. It also says cracked or broken power points should be replaced by an LEW. Unlicensed electrical work skips the inspection, certification and testing EMA describes before supply is turned on.

The same choice comes up in other trades too; see handyman or specialist.

Which one should you choose?

Neither trade wins outright: the job decides. Anything on the LEW list above, from a new socket to a circuit breaker, goes to an LEW. Non-electrical work such as mounting, assembly and painting can go to a handyman.

Some companies offer both. Ask who will do the electrical part and see that person's licence card before work starts. You can browse licensed electricians in the directory. Price depends on the job, so check electrician costs by job before you book.

Questions