Handyperson
Handyman, handywoman
Handypersons carry out minor repairs and small jobs in people’s homes and businesses.
Salary range: £14,000 to £23,000
How to become a handyperson
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- volunteering
- applying directly
College
You can take a short course in DIY skills at college. This can be a good starting point and useful when applying for jobs.
Entry requirements
There are no set entry requirements for this route.
More information
Apprenticeship
You could do an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship in a construction trade like plumbing or carpentry.
Entry requirements
You’ll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More information
Volunteering and experience
You can volunteer to help out with DIY jobs for a housing association or a charity. This can give you the chance to pick up skills and make contacts, which may lead to paid work.
You can look for volunteering opportunities through Do-it.
Direct application
You can apply directly to become a handyperson. Employers will expect you to have good DIY skills.
You may also find it useful to have experience or qualifications in joinery, plumbing or electrics.
More information
Career tips
Experience of working with older people or people with disabilities in a housing or social care setting can be useful.
Further information
You can find out more about careers using construction skills from Go Construct.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
- knowledge of building and construction
- the ability to work well with your hands
- problem-solving skills
- practical skills for repairing and maintaining equipment
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- customer service skills
- the ability to work well with others
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and requirements
You’ll need to:
- pass enhanced background checks, as you may be working with children and vulnerable adults
What you’ll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day duties may include:
- putting up curtain rails, shelves and picture frames
- fitting smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and grab rails
- replacing fuses, plugs and light bulbs
- fitting door and window locks, and alarms
- unblocking sinks, and fixing leaking taps and overflow problems
- adjusting or re-hanging doors
- moving or assembling items of furniture
- painting and decorating
- basic gardening services, clearing out guttering or minor building repairs
Working environment
You could work at a client’s home.
Your working environment may be physically demanding and you’ll travel often.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a team leader or jobs coordinator with a service and repair company. You could also move into related areas of work like caretaking.
With formal qualifications you could become a qualified tradesperson, like a carpenter or plumber.
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