Hire Handymen in Singapore (11 Best with Reviews, Prices in 2024)

Whether it is to repair damages from wear and tear or to make minor changes for home improvement, calling handymen services can be useful for you. Hiring a professional expert to tackle minor home repairs in your home can be costly. Thus, hiring a handyman can be a good alternative.

From hanging pictures to repairing leaky faucets and installing TV mounts, a handyman can do most installation work and home repairs, though some may specialise in different skills than others. Therefore, when qualifying a handyman for your job, confirm their expertise is up to the task. A handyman can usually be found through terms such as furniture handyman, electrical handyman, handyman electrician, handyman plumber,” and “carpentry handyman”. They can sometimes be known as general contractors.

Handyman Cost & Estimation Calculator (in Singapore, 2024)

(This calculator is in beta-phase and is only an estimate)

Handymen are usually jack of all trades. They provide a range of services ranging from plumbing to painting. However, when hiring a handyman, do note that not all handymen have the equipment and the skills to perform all the tasks equally well in the house. Some handyman specialises in electrical works while others may specialise in carpentry.

Therefore, it is important that you check that the handyman you are looking at can cater to your specific home needs. Some handymen may charge more if they are more experienced or have more expertise in a variety of jobs.

Hire A Handyman – 11 Best Handyman Companies In Singapore, 2024 (Our Top Picks)

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Handyman Prices and Cost Factors in Singapore

In Singapore, prices are typically charged based on the job. We will be showing you the usual task that involves a handyman along with the cost. Feel free to get a bit of reference from it! Just a side note to remember, there are different factors contributing to the price of a job.

Handyman cost calculator

(This calculator is in beta-phase and is only an estimate)

Here are some examples of handyman services and prices that are often billed by the job:

General Home Services

Be sure to know that many companies incur charges for transportation too! It can range between $20 to $40, which may be deductible from the final fees.

 

Find an Electrician

 

Hire a Plumber 

 

Hire a Painter

Typical Cost for Handyman Projects:

• Minor Works:1 to 2 hours, $50-$150 on average
• Medium Works:2 to 4 hours, $15-$500 on average
• Major Works:4 or more hours, $500 and above

Other handyman jobs:

• Installation of Shelves/Blinds/Mirrors: $50 – $70
• Installation of TV brackets: $50 – $90
• Installation of wall-mounted fan: $60 – $120
• Installation of a ceiling fan: $80 – $150
• Installation of chandelier: $90 – $120
• Installation of mirrors: $50 – $70
• Installation of frames and pictures: $50 – $70
• Assembling of furniture: $80 – $120
• Assembling of chairs and tables: $50 – $70
• Replacement of the Door Knob: $60 – $150
• Replacement of the Bedroom Door: $100 – $380
• Replacement of leaking pipes: $50 – $100
• Replacement or installation of a toilet bowl: $160 – $200
• Replacement or installation of water taps: $40 – $60
• Replacement or installation of shower sets: $60 – $80
• Clearing of the basin, kitchen and toilet bowl: $100 – $200

Do take note that if the work requires or involves the use of dangerous machinery, you should consider hiring a certified contractor instead. You can also look for electricians, plumbers and painters specifically to get the job done.

The rates and services of a handyman may differ a lot depending on factors such as their availability, skills, and the urgency of the projects. For a more accurate estimate of your home handyman project cost, and the factors affecting handyman hiring costs, check out our guide on handyman prices in Singapore.

Handyman Cost Factors

Now for the rest of us who would like to dive deeper into handyman prices in Singapore, we will explore it in detail below. The rates and services of a handyman may differ a lot, depending on factors such as their availability, skills, and the urgency of the projects. Below are several factors which affect your project costs:

The scale of repair work

This goes without saying—the bigger the project, the more time and effort spent, and the higher the cost. How big a project is can be determined by several factors, such as the time and effort required to obtain the materials, a specific brand of products, specialised tools, equipment, or knowledge needed for the project.

Depending on your handymen, they may charge a basic fee for a project or decide on a number of hours for the job before charging you. Do share the project details with the handyman before the price is set!

• Small project prices: $50-$150 on average (1-2 hours)

  • Small projects may involve simple tasks like replacing a switch or fixing a leaky pipe. Usually, they require standard hand tools and take 1 or 2 hours at most.

• Medium project prices: $150-$400 on average (2-4 hours)

  • Medium projects take more time and resources, including services such as furniture assembly and rewiring the whole house’s electrical points. Medium projects typically take between 2 and 4 hours to finish.

• Large project prices: $500+ (4+ hours)

  • Larger projects require the most time, from half a day to even a few days to complete. These are the most involved handyman jobs and may include building a partition wall with other installations, such as hanging frames or installing a kitchen sink with all the elements.

As a rule of thumb, if you are stuck between hiring a contractor or a handyman for a particular project, it is probably considered a massive job.

Experience

Experience is very valuable for a handyman, and their rates can be based on their level of expertise. An experienced handyman may charge a higher rate but take half the time to do a job than a less experienced pro. In effect, you are probably going to save more by hiring a costlier but more experienced handyman for middle to large-sized projects.

Job Complexity

Typically, more complex tasks take longer and, most often, cost more. Luckily, a professional handyman should promptly notify you if there are any aspects of the job they cannot do.

In those cases, you’ll need a contractor or licensed specialist. Simple jobs are often small jobs, but even some larger jobs can be relatively simple. Changing an interior doorknob is easy and a “small” job while sanding and re-hanging an interior door is a “medium” job, yet neither is particularly complicated.

For example, some tasks like replacing an old toilet may require lifting a heavy object, including proper plumbing knowledge and cleanup. In this regard, it’s best to ask the specialist if they can complete the task before hiring them.

Emergency Services

Should you require emergency handyman services, you can reach out to the local handyman directory on Homees directory and instantly contact them.

How Much Do Handymen Charge?

Handymen in Singapore can charge by the hour or at a flat rate. Some may charge for travel time, and some may charge a markup on parts they buy for your job. When gathering estimates, this is something you want to know early on.

By the Hour

Every handyman in Singapore has a different hourly rate based on their experience and your chosen material quality. For example, an inexperienced handyman might charge less but require more time. In most cases, Singapore handyman prices vary from $50 to $100 per hour. However, this is only a ballpark figure. It all depends on the project and the agreement between both sides.

By the Job

Some handymen charge a flat rate, which is good because the price and results are already determined initially.

Handyman vs Contractor

Handyman

A handyman is a skilled generalist who can do most of the smaller tasks of a home project. They usually take care of numerous small jobs and sometimes work with contractors on large projects, especially when time is of the essence. While you can do some of the work yourself, you’d hire a handyman when it is time-consuming or when a skilled handyman can quickly do the task.

Contractor

Contractors usually work on bigger projects that require more time and effort. Typically, jobs like transforming your attic into an office or a spare bedroom or adding a larger picture window in your living room are simple. Still, they often require having a certain level of knowledge and skills.

Hiring a contractor might be better if the cost is at least $500 or the work will take more than a day or two. These projects are usually fairly big. They will also likely require permits and inspections and often require a crew of workers to accomplish them.

If your project requires any of the following, you need a contractor:

• Repairing an electrical system, wiring or re-wiring in walls or ceilings of your home
• Minor interior design work or home renovation (larger projects usually require 2 or more contractors)
• New sizeable plumbing structures, installation of new pipes
• Anything that affects the structure of your house.
• Installing new windows

The list goes on. In this regard, it’s best to check with your local regulations to see if your project requires calling a licensed contractor. In most cases, you’ll pay more, but you’ll ensure you get safe and quality work.

 

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Should I hire a contractor or a handyman?

Handymen typically specialise in odd, smaller jobs. These smaller jobs can range from fixing a broken tap or replacing a broken switch to clearing the pipes. A contractor is usually an expert in his field and could be an electrician or even a plumber.

People searching for these people typically call them “electrical handyman”, “handyman electrician”, or “handyman plumber”. Contractors may have a team consisting of subcontractors who handle specialized jobs within the larger project. They are expected to be knowledgeable about permits and other such technicalities.

To determine if you can use a handyman instead of a fully licensed contractor, ask yourself the following:

• Could I do it myself if I only had the time?
• Could I do it myself if I only had the knowledge or ability?
• Should this take less than a day?
• Should this cost less than $500?
• Can this be done by only one or two people?
• Can this be done without a permit?

Answering “yes” to these usually means that you can hire a handyman.

For your reference, here is a downloadable Handyman Cost Guide:

Our Guide To Hiring The Best Handyman

Firstly, source out the average handyman information in your area

Be sure to look at the different reviews and testimonials – this is one of the best ways to ascertain the work quality of the handyman.

Some of the details you should be researching include:

• Reviews and testimonials
• Portfolios of recent work
• License numbers
• The average timeline for the scope of work
• Necessary experience for the project

Friends & Family are the best people to obtain references

One of the best ways to source a reliable handyman service would be to ask your friends and family for the go-to handyman that they hire. Through their recommendations, you can be more at ease that the hired handyman is credible and trustworthy, which is definitely a bonus.

So if the internet’s options are too overwhelming, you might want to ask around your friends, neighbours and coworkers for recommendations first.

Sourcing out a suitable handyman for you

Some ways in which you can verify their work credibility and see how suitable their skillset is for your project is through an interview process.

By conducting an interview process, you have the opportunity to see their work and shortlist suitable candidates. It is also an excellent platform for you to get more details and information regarding their skills, especially their license number.

You can ask for the handyman’s work experience or for references on other projects they have done. This is also for you to have a better understanding of how well acquainted they are with the particular problem that you have.

Agree on the Scope of Work

It is always important to ensure that you and your contractor are on the same page and are clear on every detail regarding the work to be done. After all, any miscommunications or misunderstandings could result in possible delays, or the end result may not be what you envisioned. You might even have to pay for other miscellaneous works not previously agreed on.

One good tip to keep in mind when agreeing on the job scope in the early stages of prepping would be to have all the details written down on paper legally. This way, you can better prevent any potential misunderstandings. Always ensure that there is a mutual agreement between you and your handyman.

Make sure that they present you with a detailed plan

Ideally, the handyman should present you with a work plan. It does not necessarily have to be a full-on project plan, but it should explain how and what they are planning to do to fix the problem. It should also include what materials and equipment they plan to use and how much it would cost. With all these in writing, it would be hard to point fingers when a problem arises.

Make sure that they have insurance

Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance does not cover work done by a contractor. As such, if your house is, unfortunately, damaged in the process, the handyman will have to pay for it.

Once you’ve selected your options and are satisfied with their referrals, it’s time to receive your estimates and a detailed plan for the task you’d like to have accomplished.

Many contractors won’t give much thought to a plan before you employ them, but the excellent ones will at least sketch out how long they expect the task to take. Well before you hire them for the project, they should help you comprehend the cost in terms of time and supplies.

Figure Out Payment

It is crucial to sort out in black and white how the payment should be made, to whom, and when. By getting the payment details and job scope down in legal documents, you and the handyman are protected from any potential misunderstanding or miscommunication. Ultimately, it acts as a safeguard.

The details can include but are not limited to covering materials, working hours, and more.

Do not jump straight and hire the lowest bidder

Offering a lower bid in comparison to the rest implies that the job can be done at a lower cost price. But there is a chance that the quality of the material used will be compromised in return.

It is better to pay more for a lasting job, guaranteed quality and peace of mind than it is to pay less in the present and face unexpected costs in the future to fix the shoddy work done previously.

Be involved throughout the project

It is always good to have backups just in case your chosen handyman screws up. Treat them as your contingency plan, but bear in mind that it is still wise to hire them, knowing that they can stick to your project, timeline and budget.

Being involved in the project alongside the handyman ensures you will get the first call whenever there is an issue. That gives you the initiative and avenue to react appropriately to the problem without creating any unwanted issues.

This also ensures that you are consulted first if potential budget overruns or new materials are required.

Tip:

As much as possible, you should not pay anything upfront before the job starts or is completed. The handyman that you choose should have the means and ability to pay for the materials needed for your project, though it is not uncommon for you to have to pay a deposit for the job.

Nevertheless, be mindful that you have a legal document or written contract to protect you or to lean on when unfortunate circumstances arise.

Speak to a few professionals

Try to speak to a few handymen and pick their brains before deciding on one. As you speak to them, ask them for:

• Their diagnosis of the problem
• The method to resolve the problem
• Any guarantee or compensation if things go out of hand
• Their license
• Insurance if applicable
• Their quote
• Their schedule and the time that they will take for your repair work
• Past reviews and testimonials

List of Handyman Services Available

Handyman covers a wide range of home repair and installation services. Below is a list of services a handyman can provide services to:

• Kitchens and bathrooms: Repairs, appliance repair, appliance install, tiling, painting, plumbing repairs, toilet door repair
• Flooring: Flooring repairs, tile, hardwood and vinyl installation, refurnishing
• General: Painting, paint removal, TV mounts, repairs, home security installation, garage doors, gutter cleaning, foundations, door repair
• Miscellaneous: Painting, drywall, baseboards and trim, insulation, carpentry, doors and windows, aircon repair and cleaning, lightbulb replacement service, light installation services and more.

You can find a comprehensive list of work handymen provided here. Handymen can usually work in similar professions, such as electricians and plumbers. Handymen can also work with complementary home remodelling professionals, including interior designers, architects & building designers and renovation.

Working with a professional handyman company will ensure you get the expertise and support you need, from purchasing new furniture pieces to repairing existing ones. Handyman companies in Singapore can help with various furniture-related services, from assembly and installation to repair and maintenance.

One area in which handyman companies can be particularly helpful is furniture assembly. Of course, all modern furniture pieces come with assembly instructions. However, hiring a professional handyman will save the time and frustration that may come from inaccurate assembly.

How to hire and review the best handyman in Singapore

The right handyman can save you lots of time and effort for all your current and future home projects. We have covered many commonly asked questions when hiring a handyman.

Here we share some more essential tips before hiring a handyman:

• Ratings and reviews: You can easily view ratings and reviews of reliable handyman services on Homees.
• Compare value and pricing: Talk to at least three handymen before fixating on hiring a handyman. This will give you a reasonable range to learn what a typical job like yours should involve and what it costs.
• Work experience: You can also ask them for experience in similar repair projects. A more experienced handyman tends to have done projects similar to yours and can potentially save you tons of headaches.
• Ask about rates upfront. Some handymen charge by the hour, often with a minimum, while others may also have jobs that they use a flat rate for.
• Get estimates in writing. While it can be impossible to confirm the pricing beforehand, getting an estimate from the beginning can be helpful. In this scenario, you can track your costs more efficiently, even if the job turns into something more than the initial plan. For example, a handyman hired to clean your rain gutters and downspouts may find pieces that need replacing due to corrosion. They should advise you of the need before beginning any further work.
• Check for liability insurance. This is to protect yourself should he or she get hurt on the job.

• Check for any complaints. Be sure to read the complaints if possible. Sadly, some people can be unreasonable or expect too much from others and will file complaints out of vindictiveness.

You can now compare handyman services reviews, get quotes, and find a local handyman in your area almost instantly on Homees. You can also view their gallery and portfolio and compare prices of similar projects near you.

Checklist to ask a prospective handyman:

1. Is the handyman a licensed contractor?

In Singapore, electricians and plumbers must be qualified and have a license in order to carry out their work. Some of the standard licenses are plumbing and electrician licenses:

• https://www.pub.gov.sg/compliance/plumbingworks/licensedplumbers
• https://www.ema.gov.sg/Licensees_Licensed_Workers_Installation_Licences.aspx

Ensure you find licensed handyman services to prevent many accidents and headaches that may arise (which they often do) during your home project. Paying a little more for a licensed handyman here can save you time and energy. Meanwhile, it will ensure your home project is properly and safely delivered.

2. Is the handyman insured?

Check with the handyman to see if all his/her work has proper insurance coverage. Handymen who are BCA-registered contractors are covered by public liability insurance.

Handymen who don’t have a BCA registration may have other private insurance coverage.

Check also whether you have insurance that covers the repair/replacement of the lost or damaged property.

3. Who provides the materials? Can I choose the colours and manufacturers?

Clients may choose to buy their own materials or rely on the handyman to handle the entire project. However, some jobs may be more complicated and require specific materials. As such, it is helpful to first discuss with your handyman whether you’d like to buy your own materials (or have any preference for your materials) or have them do everything for you.

4. How does the handyman charge for his services?

Most handymen provide a fixed-fee quote after assessing the problem. Quoted prices should never change unless the scope of work changes. You should make your expectations clear from the start to avoid miscommunication.

5. What are my payment options?

It depends on the work, but most handymen take the final payment only upon completion and client inspection of the job. Most handymen accept cash only, but some may accept cheques or credit/debit cards.

6. What if I am not satisfied?

Confirm your handyman’s guarantee before work begins and keep it in writing if he promises a money-back or satisfaction guarantee.

7. Does the handyman guarantee materials & labour?

Most handymen offer a few months, sometimes up to a year, warranty on their work. It is useful to clarify this from the start before the work proceeds and have it in writing with your handyman.

8. Is the estimation free?

Keep in mind that the handyman must do a thorough check before you agree to the prices. You do not want to face a situation in which the handyman continues to add additional charges as he progresses with his work.

It is best to get a free quote from the handyman right at your house to view the project before agreeing to anything.

9. What if the handyman can’t do the job?

Handymen receive payments after they complete a task. If they cannot do the work, they will not accept it at the assessment stage. Confirm your professional’s understanding of this before work starts. A call-out fee may apply in some cases.

More questions to ask before engaging a handyman

• How long have you been in business?
• Have you completed projects similar to mine?
• Can you provide me with references?
• Do you work on weekends? Do you offer a 24-hour service?
• What types of services do you offer?
• Which areas of Singapore do you cover?
• Do you charge extra for parking and congestion charges?
• Can you give me a written estimate?
• What is the project timeline like?
• What are the possible obstacles to the completion of the project?
• Are there any important considerations or concerns you foresee with this project?