Written by Paul Mc
According to a source, there were 1,528,671 people employed in the handyman services in the US as of 2025. But what does a handyman do?
A local handyman prepares walls, ceilings, and floors for general improvements. Besides, they make minor repairs to heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical systems.
Here is more to know about their services before you hire one.
A handyman is a skilled professional who offers a wide range of services. They can easily tackle just about any basic to medium level home repair or maintenance task that comes your way.
From fixing leaky faucets and patching up holes in the wall, to painting the exterior and interior of your home, these skilled workers can help you save time and money you may spend on specialized contractors.
The handyman services market is divided into several segments, including home repair, installation and maintenance services.
Home repair has a substantial market share of approximately 38% to 42% as of 2024. The segment consists of activities that can’t be postponed, such as plumbing leaks and electrical faults.
A local handyman typically offers the following services.
Plumbing is one of the fastest-growing service types offered by handymen. A handyman offers plumbing repair services, which usually include:
Leaks can cause significant damage if left unchecked. They can cause water stains, mold growth and even structural issues. A handyman can identify the source of the leak and make the repairs to prevent further damage.
You can contact handymen for minor, low-voltage electrical repairs and installations. These tasks don’t require specialized licensing. Plus, they don’t alter a home’s main electrical panel, so they are easy to handle.
Handymen generally handle small jobs that are quick to complete and maintain existing wiring.
Some of the services offered include:
You can also approach a handyman for painting and decoration services. The professional can do both interior and exterior painting jobs. You can hire them for painting walls, ceilings, siding, windows, doors and decks. They can also help with minor repairs, such as fixing drywall. They can replace damaged trim to ensure a smooth and professional finish.
A handyman assesses the damage and then preps the subfloors. They then install materials like tile, vinyl, laminate, or hardwood while ensuring a leveled surface.
Once they are satisfied, they secure loose materials and apply finishing touches like baseboards. A handyman also performs common repairs such as fixing squeaky floors, replacing damaged tiles, and addressing uneven surfaces.
You can get a handyman on board to assemble flat-pack furniture or larger items like playhouses. They do the work for you, especially if you are short on time or don’t have the right tools.
While they are skilled, handymen do not perform specialized or major tasks.
The handyman services market in the US is valued at approximately $76 billion as of 2025. This is projected to reach $120 billion by 2034, showing a steady growth at a rate of 4.8% annually. That’s because handymen are considered a helpful asset.
Handymen generally are not licensed. Most states do not offer a specific license for this trade. These professionals work under a “small project” exemption. For instance, they can work for jobs under a certain dollar amount that do not require building permits.
Licensed contractors or licensed handymen are required for specialized tasks related to electrical, plumbing, HVAC, structural work, or projects requiring permits.
So, when it comes to the question of “what does a handyman do”, the answer is simple. They do odd jobs or small projects.
So, when confused about choosing one of them, you should consider the scope and complexity of the task.
| Feature | Handyman | Licensed Contractor |
| Project Size | Small, simple, odd jobs | Large, structural, or high-value projects |
| Permits | Usually cannot pull permits | Can pull building permits |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Insurance | May or May Not Be Insured | Insured |
| Safety | Variable | Adhere to codes |
Whether you have a leaky toilet or a future piece lying around to be assembled, you can call a handyman right away to fix your problem. It costs around $176 to $689 on average to hire a handyman, a perfect option to handle your simple projects.
Looking for a handyman today? Use our directory of professional handymen to find a skilled and experienced individual right now..
The most frequent requests involve minor home repairs and maintenance tasks that do not require specialized licensing, such as hanging heavy mirrors, mounting televisions, assembling flat-pack furniture, and repairing damaged drywall. Handymen also commonly handle deck maintenance, gutter cleaning, and replacing weathered door hardware.
Yes, most handymen can resolve minor plumbing issues such as replacing worn-out faucet washers, installing new garbage disposals, swapping out toilet flappers, or clearing simple line blockages. However, extensive pipe rerouting, water heater installations, or major sewer line repairs generally require a licensed master plumber.
They routinely handle straightforward, low-risk electrical upgrades like swapping out existing light fixtures, replacing outdated wall switches, or installing decorative ceiling fans where the underlying wiring is already present. For complex jobs like upgrading electrical panels, running new circuit lines, or troubleshooting systemic wiring faults, a licensed electrician is necessary.
Yes, these tasks are standard offerings for a professional handyman, who can patch holes or cracks in drywall, sand the surface smooth, and apply matching paint to make the repair seamless. They also frequently scrape away old, failing caulk around bathtubs, sinks, and window frames to apply fresh, water-resistant seals.
Yes, handymen regularly address common wood-related issues such as aligning sagging cabinet doors, replacing stripped hinges, planing sticking exterior doors, and replacing torn mesh on window screens. They can also handle minor trim work, such as installing baseboards or repairing localized rot on deck railings.
