What Can a Handyman Do? Top 10 Services

Home maintenance and repair in Canada is like a continuous list of tasks to do. With their hectic work schedules and family obligations as well as the demands of the changing seasons, such as hot, humid summers and icy winters, many homeowners simply lack the time, equipment and knowledge to maintain every aspect of each repair and upgrade. Handyman is where it comes in.

But what can a handyman do exactly? Simply put, a handyman is a multipurpose specialist who solves a range of minor and medium-sized issues that do not necessarily require a specialised person to execute them. They mediate between what a homeowner has to do and the quality craftsmanship required. A handyman may make your life a lot easier, whether it is repairing a leaking tap, building shelves, or repairing your deck.

In this comprehensive guide, we are going to talk about the best 10 services offered by a handyman in Canada and an outline of the value of these services, how to select a service provider and the cost you are willing to pay. At the final, you will know clearly how a handyman can be of use in ensuring that the home is in top shape.

Top 10 Handyman Services

A handyman can do thousands of jobs for home improvement. Here are the top 10 services that a handyman can do:

1. Small Plumbing Fixes

Although every serious plumbing work has to be done by a plumber with a license, most handymen know how to perform minor plumbing tasks. These may be:

• Repair of a dripping tap

• Cleaning up sinks and drains

• Replacing showerheads

• Putting up new bathroom fixtures

• Fixes for running toilets

Minor plumbing problems may arise very often in Canadian homes and old homes in particular. These can be easily handled by a handyman, sparing you the high hourly charges of a licensed plumber when a job is small. This makes them economical to use by a sensible house owner.

2. Electrical Fixture Work

Large electrical work should be done with the help of a licensed electrician, but you can hire a handyman for small jobs like:

• Light replacements

• Setting up fans on the ceiling

• Installing smoke alarms

• Outlet and light changes

To be on the safe side, any handyman undertaking any electrical job must have experience in the same and observe Canadian electrical codes. When the job requires panel work or a wiring change, you will require an electrician. A handyman, however, is usually the ideal remedy in the case of simple replacements of fixtures.

3. Carpentry and Woodworking

Along with construction of shelves to furniture repairs, you could find out that carpentry is one of the handyman services that are most in demand in Canada. People prefer to apply for common jobs such as:

• Putting a baseboard and trimming up

• The assemblage of bespoke shelving systems

• Wooden furniture repair 

• Putting together flat-pack furniture

• Constructing tiny outdoor fixtures, such as planter boxes

Such jobs will be able to change the appearance and operation of a room without significant remodelling. Experienced handymen may be able to offer some imaginative fixes, particularly in awkwardly configured homes or difficult storage places.

4. Touch-Ups and Painting

One of the most effective but at the same time simple methods of redesigning a home is painting. Both interior and exterior paint jobs may be handled by a handyman, including:

• Making one room or a focal wall painting

• Painting the entire surface of a flat.

• Touching of scuffs

• Re-painting trim, doors and baseboards

• Decks, fencing stain

Big-scale painting may require the services of a painting contractor, but a handyman is much more effective and most likely affordable when it comes to executing smaller direct painting jobs.

5. Drywall Repairs

Canadian houses, particularly in places with high foot traffic or houses where growing children and pets live, might be subjected to abuse. Damaged drywall can be unsightly, whether it is the result of furniture scrapes, doorknob knocks, or the result of holes made accidentally.

The services a handyman handles include:

• Patches for small/medium holes

• Repairing cracks

• Sanding and tackling the surfaces

• Primer of the walls

These quick fixes can make a huge difference in your home’s overall appearance and are a great example of what a handyman can do to keep your property looking well-maintained.

6. General Household Repair

In Canada, where the weather is dramatically different through each season, it is a necessity that its upkeep should be seasonal. A handyman can assist with:

• Gutter cleaning

• Window caulking

• Weatherstripping doors

• Checking and maintenance of decks

• Surfaces washed with power washers, driveways, and patios

Not only do these maintenance jobs prolong the life of the home features, but it prevent expensive repair work later.

7. Flooring Repair and Installations

Replacement of a floor can be a big project, but smaller flooring projects are suitable with a handyman. 

• Fixing or replacing broken tiles

• Repairing vinyl or laminate flooring

• Laying floating flooring in small-spaced rooms

• Tiled surfaces re-grouting

In areas where winters are brutal, such as Alberta or Ontario, salt, snow and moisture can wear a floor. It is worth it to keep a repairman ready to fix things on time so that both the functionality and the aesthetics are also maintained.

8. Assembling and Mounting Furniture

Wall-hanging decor and flat-pack furniture are prime examples of certain frustrations that are difficult to do without the correct equipment or know-how. An ordinary bookshelf can become a two-hour affair when you have to put it alone or in case of poor instruments. That is when a handyman can enter the picture with the tools as well as with the skills and knowledge to make sure everything is properly installed and firmly fixed.

The handymen can help with:

• Furniture assembly: Putting together pieces of furniture using a store such as IKEA, Wayfair, or Canadian Tire to make sure that there is no wobbly furniture and shelves are not uneven.

• Securely mounting TVs: The wall anchors you put up must be correct to ensure that your TV is not going anywhere.

• Mounting of paintings and mirrors: Finding the right height and position without spoiling the walls, handymen can hang mirrors and paintings.

• Curtain or Blind Installation: Hanging curtain rods and installing blinds- to give a fit, finished look is an easy job for a handyman.

Such services are useful especially to the elderly, competitive professionals or people who simply do not have the time, equipment, or ability to verify their ability to perform similar installations safely. 

9. Exterior Repairs and Additions

The competencies of a handyman do not only apply to the interior side of things, either, as a large number of these men also work in outdoor features. This comes in handy more particularly to Canadian homeowners, where exterior elements might be punished by ever-changing seasons.

A lot of them have experience in outdoor work, such as:

• Mending fences and gates- putting up privacy and security.

• Repairing or colouring decks- preservation of the wood against rotting, set and weather damage.

• Putting exterior lights on- safety reasons, atmosphere, and to improve kerb appeal.

• Minor landscaping works, e.g. repairs on broken pavers or garden structures.

To Canadians, outdoor spaces turn out to be social areas in the warmer months. Preparation of your yard, deck or patio to meet the summer barbecue, gatherings, or just soaking up the sunshine can be assisted with a handyman involved.

10. Small Renovation Projects

Although bigger jobs will need licensed contractors, the handyman will be able to undertake smaller jobs that will still cause a drastic change in your home. These are suitable jobs, especially for people who desire to refresh their homes, but not remodel, because of the interference and expenses.

The following help can be provided by a handyman:

• Laundry room make-over- installing shelves or cabinets, or some new floor tile.

• Installing backsplashes- the modern and clean look of the kitchen.

• Replacing (upgrading) closet interiors, making storage more efficient and stylish.

• Small bathroom upgrades – replacing bathroom fixtures, repainting, and changing mirrors.

These minor improvements can be as simple as boosting the comfort, functionality, and in some cases, the resale value of a home, making them a wise receipt as investment opportunity for the homeowner.

What Are The Reasons To Hire A Handyman For Various Jobs?

Now that we’ve explored what a handyman can do, let’s look at why they are such a valuable resource for Canadian homeowners.

• Economic Services: The hourly rate of a handyman is normally cheaper than that of specialised tradesmen, hence suitable for doing small jobs.

• Time Saving: You will also have the advantage of time saving as you will combine numerous tasks in one trip instead of paying numerous contractors.

• Multi-tasking may be used: They can work on any kind of job, such as repairing as well as installation.

• Ease of use: When it breaks, you can just call out a professional to handle it correctly and not have to learn to repair it on your own.

What to look for in selecting the Best Handyman in Canada

This is necessary because it is important to find a reliable handyman who will deliver good work. To find the right one, this is how to do it:

• Request References – They can provide you with clues about the reliability and competence of the handyman by using past customers.

• Check Liability & Security: Insurance is a must, even when it is a small job; insurance will cover you and the handyman in case of an accident.

• Request a Written Estimate – This prevents the shock later after the end of the bill.

• See Reviews- Check reviews on trusted platforms to select the best handyman for your work.

• Talk about the Scope of Work- The handyman should be made aware of what is needed beforehand.

The average Prices of Hiring Handyman services in Canada

The cost of using a handyman in Canada differs with the location, complexity and nature of work. This is a rough overview:

• Hourly Rates - Generally between $50 and $100 an hour.

• Half-Day Rates - A half day is roughly $200 to $400 of work.

• Full-Day Rates - Rated at usually $400 to $800 for 8-9 hours of work.

• Per-Job Pricing - Basic level pricing, like fixing of any fixture, is charged at a flat rate of say $75 or even $150 to fix furniture.

Such rates may weaken or strengthen according to the city. Toronto or Vancouver costs more than smaller towns.

Seasonal Handyman Needs in Canada

The climate in Canada also implies that some handyman services are more in demand during this or that period of the year:

• Spring- There is gutter cleaning, mending decks, pressure washing, and lawn preparation after the winter beat it up.

• Summer- Assembly of the furniture used outdoors, patching of fences and painting to get the best of the summer.

• Fall- Weatherstripping, caulking windows, and looking at the roof gets your house ready to endure the cold days of winter.

• Winter- During this time of year, interior painting, drywall repair and home organisation work are good to be done because outdoor work is slacking.

With a few of these seasonal requirements in mind, you can plan your visits to your handyman around them and avoid problems, stay comfortable, and keep your home in tip-top shape throughout the year.

Conclusion

So, what can a handyman do? Concisely, a handyman is capable of handling an extensive variety of jobs that will keep your home better functioning, aesthetically pleasing, and in good shape. Whether it is fixing a small plumbing problem, assembling furniture, repairing their house outdoors or making small renovations, their flexibility and affordability make them a constant godsend to the Canadian householders.

Hiring a professional and responsible handyman, you will be able to maintain your house in excellent condition without the effort, time, and costs of doing everything by yourself. It can be something as important as getting ready for a season or as simple as cleaning up the house before inviting friends over, but one thing we have come to rely on is a handyman to have any task completed properly and quite frequently in only one visit.