What jobs can a handyman do?

What can a handyman do in Singapore?

Companies offering handyman services fix small things that have worn or broken, mount items on walls and assemble furniture. A handyman may also do the simple plumbing jobs that PUB allows without a PUB Licensed Plumber, such as replacing a tap or a showerhead.

Electrical work, regulated plumbing, gas work and aircon installation need licensed or trained people. If you are unsure who to call, read about choosing a handyman or specialist.

Typical handyman jobs

A typical handyman services list includes:

• Wall mounting. TVs, shelves and mirrors, including TV mounting.
• Furniture assembly. Flat-pack wardrobes, desks and beds. See furniture assembly.
• Curtain rods and blinds. New fittings, or ones that have come loose.
• Door and lock repairs. Doors that stick and locks that are stiff.
• Minor fixes. Loose cabinet doors, wobbly shelves and worn hinges.

Each company sets its own scope, so check its list and compare published handyman rates before you ask for a quote.

Plumbing jobs a handyman may do

PUB requires regulated water service and sanitary plumbing works to be done by a PUB Licensed Plumber, but lists simple works a handyman may do:

• Replacing or removing a tap or mixer.
• Replacing a shower hose or showerhead.
• Replacing the pipe between a stop valve and an instantaneous water heater.
• Replacing a cistern flushing mechanism.
• Installing or replacing a washbasin or sink and its trap.
• Replacing a floor trap grating.
• Clearing any blockage in a floor trap, toilet bowl or sanitary appliance.

HDB says the same for flats: a handyman without a plumbing licence may do simple plumbing works.

Under PUB's rules, engaging a plumber who is not licensed for regulated works has been an offence since 2018. Installing, changing or relocating a toilet bowl or the sanitary piping system is sanitary plumbing work for a PUB Licensed Plumber. See which jobs need a licensed plumber.

Jobs that need a licensed trade

Electrical work

EMA says electrical work at home should be carried out or supervised by a Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW). This includes wiring, power points such as socket-outlets, switches or lighting points, and 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. See which work needs an LEW.

Regulated plumbing and toilet bowls

HDB says installing, fixing, replacing or removing a toilet pan must be done by a PUB Licensed Plumber. PUB advises asking for itemised quotes and getting at least three quotes.

Gas pipes and appliances

City Energy says installing or altering gas pipes, and installing, replacing or removing gas appliances, may only be carried out by City Energy or a Licensed Gas Service Worker (LGSW).

Aircon installation

HDB says air-conditioners must be installed by a BCA-trained air-conditioning condensing unit installer, with an installation report submitted to the HDB Branch within 14 days.

Renovation works

HDB says flat owners must engage only contractors from its Directory of Renovation Contractors, and some works need an HDB permit.

Drilling and mounting in HDB flats

HDB says ramsets, nails and screws must not exceed 6mm in diameter and 40mm in penetration depth. In flats with concealed water pipes, take precautions when drilling, because HDB's concealed pipe layout plans are a guide only. See HDB drilling rules for more.

HDB asks residents to keep DIY works to 7am to 10.30pm, with no DIY drilling or hammering from 10.30pm to 7am. General renovations may run from 9am to 6pm on weekdays and Saturdays. Noisy works, such as heavy and excessive drilling, are limited to 9am to 5pm on weekdays only, and not on public holidays or the eves of New Year's Day, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya Puasa and Christmas Day.

In the directory, 4 companies publish a drilling or mounting line. As printed, 3 of them price per job: From S$40 per job, From S$60 per job and From S$120 per job, the last for TV wall mounting. The fourth prints From S$10 per hole for drilling, so ask how many holes your job needs. These are published rates, not averages or quotes.

FROM THE HOMEZYPRO DIRECTORY

Published drilling and mounting rates

For the most common unit (per job), the lowest published drilling and mounting rates from 3 companies run from S$40 to S$120 per job (middle rate S$60), to mount one item. The middle figure is a real published rate, not an average. Each figure is one company's own advertised rate with its conditions, not a quote.

See 4 published drilling and mounting rates and sources

Lowest matching advertised rate per company, in SGD as published. "From" marks a starting price and ranges are shown in full. Check the source for minimums, GST and inclusions.

Company	Service as listed	Rate	Source
Wefix4U	Drilling	From S$10 per hole	wefix4u.sg
FixMove	TV, mirror, shelf, picture or cabinet mounting	From S$40 per job	fixmove.sg
Repairhome.sg	Installation (TV brackets, mirrors, shelves, lights, curtain hardware)	From S$60 per job	repairhome.sg
Handy King	TV wall mounting	From S$120 per job	handyking.sg

Bundling a job list

For several small jobs, send one list so a handyman can quote for the whole visit.

• List every job. Add a photo and sizes for each, such as the TV size.
• Say who supplies parts. You or the handyman.
• Ask for one quote. Cover the whole list.
• Check how you are charged. Ask about any minimum charge or hourly rate.

Ask whether the quote is an hourly rate or fixed price, so you know how changes to the list affect it.

When to stop and call a professional

Stop and call a licensed professional if a job:

• touches wiring, a socket-outlet, a switch, a lighting point or a circuit breaker
• goes beyond the simple plumbing list, such as a toilet bowl or storage water heater pipework
• involves gas pipes or gas appliances
• involves renovation or structural work, where HDB requires a contractor from its Directory of Renovation Contractors

A burning smell from a socket or appliance, or water leaking from an unknown source, is also a reason to stop.

Questions