Questions to ask before you hire a handyman

Why a few questions save a lot of trouble

Handyman jobs are usually small, which is exactly why people tend to book them quickly. A shelf, a curtain rail or a wardrobe seems simple, until the handyman arrives without the right drill bit, or the job turns out to need an electrician, or the bill includes a charge nobody mentioned.

A few questions before you book prevent most of these surprises. This article gives you a list to work through, grouped by topic. For a broader view of the trade and how to compare companies, the handyman guide is a good starting point.

Checking the job itself

Start by making sure you and the handyman have the same job in mind. Many misunderstandings come from a short message such as "fix the cabinet", which can mean tightening a hinge or rebuilding a drawer.

• Can you do this specific job? Describe it plainly and share photos of the item and the wall or floor.
• How long do you expect it to take? This helps you plan and shows whether they have done similar work.
• What do you need from me before the visit? For example, clearing the area, unboxing furniture or having the parts ready.
• Can you do several small jobs in one visit? Grouping tasks often makes better use of a minimum charge.

If you are booking flat-pack assembly, the furniture assembly guide explains what to prepare. For wall-mounted screens, the TV mounting guide covers wall types, brackets and cable questions.

Tools and materials

Handymen bring their own tools, but materials are a common source of confusion.

• Will you bring all the tools needed? Ask especially about drilling into concrete or tiles, and ladders for high ceilings.
• Who supplies the materials? Screws, wall plugs, brackets, sealant and rails may or may not be included.
• If you supply parts, what will you use? Ask about the type and quality, especially for items that bear weight.
• Is there an extra charge for drilling into hard surfaces or tiles? Some companies price this separately.

Here are the lowest furniture assembly rates that some companies publish, with the source and capture date for each. These are advertised rates that come with conditions, not quotes, so check what each one covers.

FROM THE HOMEZYPRO DIRECTORY

Published furniture assembly rates

Each figure is one company's own advertised rate with its conditions, not a market average or a quote.

See 4 published furniture assembly 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
Arctic Breeze Engineering	Furniture assembly, small items (chairs, side tables, simple shelving)	From S$40	handyman.sg
SG QuickFix	Furniture Assembly	From S$40 per job	sgquickfix.com
Wefix4U	Furniture assembly (per piece)	From S$40 per piece	wefix4u.sg
Ezycontractors.co	Storage Furniture Assembly	From S$180 per job	ezycontractors.co

What they will not do

A good handyman knows the limits of the trade. It is worth asking directly what they will not take on.

Licensed electrical and plumbing work

Some electrical and plumbing work must be done by licensed workers. Read EMA's guidance on engaging licensed workers for electrical work. Ask the handyman whether your job falls into that category and, if it does, whether they will hand it to a licensed electrician or plumber rather than doing it themselves.

Common examples include adding or moving power points, changing wiring and work on the DB box. If in doubt, the licensed electrician guide explains when to call a specialist.

Renovation rules

If the job involves drilling, hacking or changes to fixtures in an HDB flat, read HDB's important information on renovations before you book. Ask the handyman whether they are familiar with the rules for your type of home, and check with your management office if you live in a condominium.

Cost and payment

Price questions are easier to ask before the visit than after.

• Is there a call-out or transport charge? Ask whether it is waived if you go ahead.
• Is there a minimum charge? Find out what it covers.
• How will you handle extra work? Ask them to stop and give a price before doing anything not agreed.
• When and how do I pay? Agree whether payment is on completion and which methods they accept.

Ask for the agreed price and scope in a message so both sides have a record.

Insurance, clean-up and follow-up

These questions are easy to forget, but they matter if something goes wrong.

• Do you have insurance in case something is damaged during the job? Ask what it covers.
• Will you clean up afterwards? Drilling dust, packaging and offcuts can take time to clear, so agree whether the handyman will remove them.
• Is there a warranty on workmanship? Ask how long it lasts and whether a return visit is free if the same problem comes back.
• Who do I contact if there is a problem? Get a name and number, not just a general hotline.

Finding handymen near you

Once you have your questions ready, build a shortlist of companies that serve your area. Area pages such as handyman companies serving Tampines list the companies that name your town on their own websites, along with their published prices and rating sources.

Questions

Can a handyman change a power point or move a socket?

Some electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician. Read EMA's guidance on engaging licensed workers and ask the handyman whether your job falls into that category. A good handyman will tell you and hand it to a licensed electrician if needed.

Should I buy the materials myself?

It depends on the job. Some handymen supply screws, plugs and brackets and some expect you to provide them. Ask before you book, and agree what quality of parts will be used for anything that bears weight.

What should I prepare before the handyman arrives?

Clear the work area, have the item and any parts ready, and send photos of the wall or floor beforehand. Agree the scope, price and any extra charges in a message before the visit.