Handyman Checklist

Stay Organised Across Multiple Repair And Maintenance Tasks

A handyman is the person who does all the home maintenance, repair and improvement services possible. A handyman is also a jack of all trades, unlike experts in a single trade, such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical, painting, assembly, and general maintenance. An organised checklist assists in making certain that no important detail is missed, the work is conducted safely, and clients obtain credible results.

Pre-Work Preparations

• Verify the scope of work with customers.


• Check hazards at the worksite.


• Collect the necessary tools to do several things.


• Make sure that materials are available beforehand.


• Make sure that ladders and safety equipment are well-maintained.


• Carry a basic first-aid kit.

Planning conserves time and disruption on the job. Handymen usually have several small projects, so it is very important to ensure that the client has the right expectations. To prevent undue delays, tools and materials must be at hand. First-aid and safety equipment prevent unforeseen incidents.

General Safety Checks

• Wear PPE (gloves, goggles where needed, masks where needed).


• Use safe ladder positioning.


• Keep the work area clutter-free.


• One should not work around open electrical wires.


• Ventilation in the use of chemicals or paints.

A handyman is focused on safety. Risks are reduced with the help of appropriate protective equipment. The maintenance of the worksite is less prone to tripping accidents. The ventilation will help to avoid breathing dangerous fumes, and the safety of ladders will help to maintain a steady posture when performing work.

Carpentry and Woodwork

• Look at doors and hinges, check whether they are loosely fixed.


• Alignment of check cabinets, wardrobes, and shelves.


• Sand rough wood surfaces.


• Change broken handles and knobs.


• Slides easily through the test drawer.


• Bond wood cracks.


• Bolster staircases and railings.

Problems with woodwork can manifest themselves in houses as a result of wear and tear. A handyman checks that the doors open easily, the cabinets are straight, and the handles are tight. Railings and stairs have to be reviewed.

Plumbing and Fixtures Repairs

• Check taps, faucets and pipes.


• Unblock sinks, showers and bathtub drains.


• Change defective washers, O-rings and cartridges.


• Check the toilet flush system and fix defective parts.


• Close off gaps around sinks, bathtubs and showers.


• Check water pressure and correct small flow problems.


• Install new showerheads, taps and bathroom fittings.


• Install sinks in the kitchen or replace broken basins.

Household problems are related to plumbing. Most simple repairs, such as drip repairs, drain unblocking, and changing fittings, are done by handymen. Once you seal the leaks and enhance water flow, you avoid the wasteful damage of water and ensure hygiene.

Electrical Repair and Installation

• Check switches, outlets and cords to verify their condition.


• Install replacement faulty switches, sockets and dimmers.


• Repair flickering lights or install new lights.


• Install the ceiling fan and fix it properly.


• Install or remove light bulbs, LEDs and downlights.


• Surge protectors and test extension cords.


• Install home appliances that have small electrical requirements.

Whereas large-scale wiring projects have to be carried out by certified electricians, minor electrical repair works are done by handymen. Their common services include replacing outlets and fixing lights, as well as installing fans. It is advisable to turn off the power supply before undertaking any electrical activity.

Surfaces and Finishes

• Clean and sand walls, ceilings and trims.


• Seal cracks, holes and dents and then paint.


• Use primer to ensure increased paint adhesion.


• Apply good rollers and brushes to give a finished finish.


• Paint trims, skirting boards and doors.


• Paint when mould or damp spots have been checked and treated.


• Paint outside fences, decks, and walls.

Painting remodels a room and makes it look clean and new. Correct preparation gives long-lasting finishes. Handymen ensure quality workmanship without sacrificing functionality by mopping down wet areas early and using a primer.

Furniture Assembly and Installation

• Furniture installation is a demanding and time-consuming task. Furniture that comes in flat packs, in particular, requires attention to instructions.


• Assemble flat-pack pieces of furniture correctly.


• Fix bookshelves and cabinets to the walls.


• Install window treatments, blinds and curtain rods.


• Mount TVs safely on walls.


• Repair creaking chairs and shaky tables.


• Fit wardrobe shelving and organisers.


• Prepare outdoor furniture when required.


• Install missing screws or hardware pieces.


• Stability of all assembled furniture under test.


• Appropriately discard packages.

Furniture is usually assembled, installed, or repaired by handymen. The furniture is safe as it is properly installed to prevent accidents. Precision and accuracy apply from wall-mounted shelves up to TV brackets. Fixed objects increase safety and beauty in the house.

Appliance Repairs

• Check and scrub refrigerator coils.


• Replacement of bad hoses in the washing machines.


• Clean out dishwasher filters and drains.


• Check microwave turntables and interior lights.


• Secure loose oven knobs and handles.


• Fix small vacuum cleaner clogs.


• Check smoke detectors and exhaust fans in the kitchen.


• Install small appliances when needed.


• Change damaged power cords.


• Do a cursory check on broken appliances.

Instead of replacing costly appliances, many homeowners use the services of a handyman to perform small repairs on those gadgets. Regular maintenance and prompt repairs prolong the life of appliances and save money and efficiency.

Exterior and Landscape Lawncare

• Gutters and downspouts are clean.


• Fix broken fences.


• Clean up shrubs and overgrown trees.


• Wash down patios, driveways and decks.


• Stain or paint outdoor furniture.


• Mend broken gates and garden latches.


• New house numbers and mailboxes.


• Change exterior light bulbs.


• Check roof edges and flashing.


• Close cracks in outside walks.

Outdoor maintenance contributes to the safety and beauty of a property. By removing water damage through cleaning gutters and shielding the roofs and power lines through trimming trees, it is possible. A handyman also maintains pathways, fences, and lighting, which increases the curb appeal and utility.

Seasonal Handyman Checklist

• Spring


• Examine winter-damaged roofs.


• Clean gutters and drains.


• Garden tools and service lawnmowers.


• Fix broken paths or driveways.


• Outdoor furniture paint.


• Summer


• Check vents and air-conditioning filters.


• Close off sealings around windows and doors.


• Re-stain or repaint patios and decks.


• Repair sprinkler systems.


• Lighting fixtures. Test gardens.


• Autumn


• Rake down leaf gutters.


• Turn off taps and drain outside hoses.


• Inspect heating systems.


• Seal the window before winter.


• Cover outdoor furniture.


• Winter


• Insulate exposed pipes.


• Carbon monoxide and test smoke sensors.


• Look at drafts around the doors and windows.


• Water heaters and service boilers.


• Eliminate the accumulation of snow on driveways.

Seasonal maintenance is important to keep homes comfortable and efficient all year round. Homeowners can save money and stay safe in any season by preparing in advance of weather changes, and handymen can assist in this process.

Home Energy Efficiency Checklist

• Home energy efficiency is now a major component of handyman work, both in saving money on utility bills and in impacting the environment.


• Test the doors and windows against air leaks.


• Close the seals with weatherstripping or caulking.


• Replace old incandescent bulbs with LEDs.


• Read between the lines of attic insulation and add as necessary.


• Install programmable heating and cooling thermostats.


• Check HVAC filters and change dirty filters.


• Under-door fit draft excluders.


• Check refrigerator energy loss seals.


• Suggest energy-saving appliances.


• Recommend solar lighting outdoors.

Energy efficiency upgrades not only reduce utility bills but also make homes comfortable and sustainable. Simple tasks, like installing LED lights, sealing holes, and improving insulation, can be important as they will give clients long-term savings.

Home Safety and Security Checklist

• A handyman also makes sure that houses are safe and free of danger.


• Fit heavy deadbolts to the outside doors.


• Check window locks and fix bad ones.


• Install security cameras in areas of necessity.


• Fit movement lights near access points.


• Fasten loose railings and balconies.


• Carbon monoxide and test smoke detectors.


• Place child safety gates on the doors of the cabinets and put child locks on the doors.


• Use new paving stones instead of cracked or uneven stones to avoid trips.


• Where required, upgrade to fire-rated doors.


• Suggest improved shed and garage locks.

Home safety relates to prevention and security. Installing detectors, handymen make sure that clients feel safe knowing their houses are properly locked and have railings as well.

Smart Home Setup Checklist

• As smart devices have become popular, most homeowners use the services of handymen to install simple smart home solutions.


• Install smart thermostats and network them to Wi-Fi.


• Fit intelligent door locks and spy cameras.


• Install and program video doorbells.


• Install voice recognition software such as Alexa or Google Home.


• Install intelligent lighting.


• Install garage door openers that are controlled by apps.


• Install smart irrigation in gardens.


• The compatibility with the current home networks.


• Give clients simple usage instructions.


• Install updates to smart devices when needed.

Smart technology makes life convenient and efficient, yet setup is a challenge for many homeowners. A handyman with smart devices knowledge will have a chance to tap into an increasing demand as he assists customers with updating their houses.

Emergency Repairs Checklist

• Handymen tend to shine most in unexpected breakdowns. Emergency preparedness saves time and creates trust.


• Roof patching to fix the leak temporarily to avoid water damage.


• Fasten broken windows or doors.


• Fix broken water mains.


• Replace blown fuses and recover basic power.


• Repair garage doors that are jammed.


• Obvious clogged sewer.


• Take away storm debris.


• Firm up wobbly railings or collapsing stairs.


• Cover open electrical wires temporarily.


• Give clients follow-up repair plans.

Emergency handyman services involve thinking on your feet. It can be something as simple as getting a broken door fixed or preventing a leak; these last-minute fixes allow clients to prevent expensive damage and ensure their homes are safe until the genuine repairs are finished.