Most homes have a list of small jobs that never quite get done: a shelf to put up, a door that sticks, a wardrobe still in its box. That's what a handyman is for. But "handyman" isn't a regulated trade, and knowing where the job stops is as useful as knowing what they can do, especially when it comes to electrical and gas work.
What a handyman typically does
A good handyman covers the long tail of household jobs that don't justify calling a specialist. Common examples include:
- Assembling flat-pack furniture
- Hanging shelves, mirrors, pictures and curtain poles
- Mounting a TV bracket on a wall
- Fixing a sticking door, a loose hinge or a wobbly handle
- Small repairs and touch-ups around the house
- General odd jobs, often several at once in a single visit
The best way to get value from a handyman is to bundle jobs. If you've a list of six small things, post them together rather than booking six separate visits. On Service Connect you can post one job or several, and handymen can quote on the lot.
Where the legal line sits: electrical work
Electrical work in Ireland should be carried out by a registered electrical contractor. Safe Electric is Ireland's register for this. A handyman who is not on that register shouldn't be doing wiring, adding or moving sockets, working on a fuse board or fitting a new circuit, however simple it looks.
That doesn't mean a handyman is useless around anything electrical. Hanging a picture, assembling a lamp or putting up a shelf near a socket is ordinary handyman work. The line is wiring and fixed electrical installation. If the job involves cutting into the wall for a cable, replacing a socket or touching the fuse board, book an electrician instead. Our guide to hiring an electrician in Ireland explains what to check first.
Where the legal line sits: gas work
Gas is stricter again. In Ireland it's a legal requirement that any work on a gas appliance, boiler servicing included, is carried out by a Registered Gas Installer (RGI). RGIs are listed on the Register of Gas Installers of Ireland (RGII), which you can search on rgi.ie. A handyman who isn't on that register shouldn't touch a gas boiler, cooker connection, gas fire or gas pipework. See our boiler service guide for more on this.
A simple way to decide
- Furniture, fixings, fittings, small repairs: handyman.
- Anything that involves wiring, a socket, a light circuit or the fuse board: electrician registered with Safe Electric.
- Anything that involves a gas appliance or gas pipework: gas installer registered with RGII.
- Leaking pipes, taps, toilets and drains: a plumber is usually the better call.
If a handyman tells you they can do electrical or gas work, ask to see their registration, or look them up on the relevant register yourself. It's a normal question, and a registered professional won't mind it.
What to ask before you book a handyman
- Is the price per job or per hour, and are materials, screws and fixings included?
- Do they bring their own tools, or do you need to have a drill and ladder?
- Have they done this type of job before, for example a heavy TV on a plasterboard wall?
- Can they do everything on your list in one visit?
- Will they clear up afterwards?
Photos and measurements help a lot. For a shelf, say what it will hold and what the wall is made of if you know. For a flat-pack, say what it is and how many pieces.
Booking a handyman through Service Connect
Handymen on Service Connect are listed under Handymen. Posting a job on Service Connect is free. Your card is only charged once a provider accepts, and Stripe holds the payment until the job is marked done. Handymen covering your area send offers in chat, and you can accept, counter or decline, with the full total shown before you confirm. If you cancel before the work starts, you get a full refund, buyer protection fee included.
Handymen can add qualifications to their profile and declare insurance, but Service Connect doesn't inspect those documents or run background checks. If you need electrical or gas work, ask for Safe Electric or RGII registration in chat before you book. Reviews only come from people who completed a booking with that provider.
Got a list of jobs to get through? Browse handymen in your county, check frequently asked questions, or get the Service Connect app to post your job.
Frequently asked questions
Can a handyman do electrical work in Ireland?
Not wiring or fixed electrical installation. Electrical work in Ireland should be carried out by a registered electrical contractor, and Safe Electric is the register for that. A handyman can do things like hang a shelf or assemble a lamp, but sockets, circuits and the fuse board are for a registered electrician.
Can a handyman work on a gas boiler or gas fire?
No, unless they are a Registered Gas Installer. In Ireland any work on a gas appliance has to be done by an RGI, listed on the Register of Gas Installers of Ireland. You can check someone's registration on rgi.ie.
What jobs is a handyman best for?
Flat-pack assembly, hanging shelves, mirrors and TV brackets, fixing doors and handles, and small repairs. It works best when you bundle several small jobs into one visit.
How do I check a handyman's qualifications on Service Connect?
Handymen can add qualifications to their profile and declare insurance, but Service Connect doesn't inspect those documents. Ask directly in chat, and for electrical or gas work ask for Safe Electric or RGII registration and check the register yourself.