What Is A Handyman?

Do you have a knack for repairing things and enjoy doing odd jobs around the house?

If the answer is yes, working as a handyman might be the perfect fit for you.

Handymen are often referred to as ‘’jack of all trades’’.

Yet, some specific tasks require a trade license that handymen don’t always have. So, what type of tasks can handymen tackle exactly?

That’s what we’ll answer in this blog post.

What Does A Handyman Do?

A handyman is skilled at tending to a wide range of general repairs, usually around the house. They provide light repair and maintenance services to busy homeowners who want to save time and don’t have the tools or the skills to do it themselves.

More specifically, some of the common tasks a handyman typically carries out include:

• Installing new door knobs
• Fixing or installing fly screens
• Repairing drywalls
• Repairing broken windows
• Repairing skirting boards
• Sanding timber structures such as decks or pergolas
• Trim painting
• Assembling furniture or repairing damaged furniture
• Fixing squeaky doors
• Maintaining gardens
• Pressure cleaning
• Performing routine landscaping
• Repairing equipment or appliances
• Replacing air filters
• Unblocking toilets or drains
• Filling gaps or crevices
• Repairing fences
• Cleaning and repairing gutters
• Installing blinds or shades
• Mounting TVs on walls
• Replacing rotten wood boards
• Reporting urgent tasks that need to be tackled

In some instances, handymen are also certified in specific trades such as carpentry, electrical or plumbing, and can also handle more significant jobs such as installing new timber floors or a new hot water system.

They can intervene in various settings such as shops, schools, hospitals, buildings, and offices, or help busy individuals, elderly or disabled people get things fixed around their house.

How Much Does A Handyman Earn In Australia?

As a handyman, you can either work for someone else or set up your own business.

If you’re an employee, the average salary in Australia is $55,845 a year or $28.64 an hour. However, more experienced handymen with advanced skills can earn up to $73,625 a year. And if you run your own business, know that the standard rate for this type of job ranges between $40 and $90 an hour, depending on the nature of the job.

So, if you’re able to advertise your services successfully, turn your first-time clients into long-term customers and maintain a consistent stream of clients, owning your handyman business can be very profitable.

What Insurance Does A Handyman Need?

As a handyman, you might be required to hold public liability insurance by some of your clients, such as real estate agencies. And even if your clients don’t ask for it, it'd be a good idea to make public liability a priority, as this form of business insurance will allow you to protect your company against potential claims and costly legal action.

For instance, let’s say you’re fixing a door at one of your client’s homes. You inadvertently leave one of your tools on the floor, and your client trips over and suffers an injury as a result. If you’re found liable and don’t have public liability insurance, you could be required to pay a significant amount in medical and legal expenses. And this could destroy your business and reputation.

If you’re looking for the right policy for your business needs, hop onto our instant quote generator, where you can get an estimate on market-leading insurance for handymen in seconds. Simply enter your occupation and expected revenue to get started.