Home › Guides › Handyman & assembly › The complete handyman guide: what a handyman can (and can't) do
GuideA good handyman is the most useful contact a homeowner has — the person who mounts the TV, fixes the sticky door, patches the drywall and knocks out the punch-list you've been ignoring for months. But "handyman" covers a huge range, and knowing what they can do, what they can't, and how they charge saves you money and avoids a job gone wrong.
Handymen shine at the broad middle of home tasks: TV and shelf mounting, furniture assembly, hanging pictures and mirrors, drywall patching, caulking and sealing, minor carpentry, door and lock adjustments, weatherstripping, and general repairs. These are jobs that need skill and the right tools but not a trade licence — and they're exactly the tasks that pile up because no single one feels worth a dedicated call.
Some jobs legally require a licensed professional, and for good reason. New electrical circuits, panel work and EV chargers need a licensed electrician. Gas lines and most permanent plumbing need the licensed trades. Structural changes and anything requiring a permit shouldn't be a handyman job. A reputable handyman will tell you when a task is over the line — and a good platform routes it to the right pro automatically.
There are two common models: a per-task price for defined jobs (mount a TV, assemble a bed) and an hourly rate with a minimum for open-ended work. The single biggest money-saver is bundling — booking several small tasks in one visit spreads the call-out and minimum across all of them. Write your whole list before booking rather than calling someone back three times.
Keep a running note on your phone of every small thing that needs doing: the wobbly handle, the picture to hang, the squeaky hinge, the smoke detector to swap. When it hits six or eight items, book a half-day of handyman time and clear the whole list at once. This is the cheapest way to maintain a home and the reason handymen are such good value.
Decide up front whether you or the pro supplies materials. For standard parts (anchors, screws, caulk) the pro usually carries them. For specific items (a particular fixture, a matching paint) you'll want to supply them or agree on a materials budget. Any extra materials or hours beyond the original scope should be approved by you before you're charged — never assume a surprise invoice is normal.
Vetting matters more than advertising. Look for identity verification, insurance, and reviews on jobs like yours — a five-star average means little if none of the reviews are for the work you need. On Genie every handyman is ID-verified and background-checked for in-home work, you see an upfront price or clear hourly rate before booking, and your payment is held until you approve the work and backed by the Genie Protection Fund.
Every task in this guide is something you can book on Genie — vetted, insured pros at an upfront price:
General repairs, mounting, assembly, drywall, caulking and minor carpentry are fine. New wiring, gas, permanent plumbing and structural or permitted work need a licensed trade. A good handyman tells you when a job is over the line.
Yes — booking several small jobs in one visit spreads the call-out and hourly minimum across all of them. Write your full punch-list before booking rather than paying for repeat visits.
Defined tasks often have an upfront per-task price; open-ended work is hourly with a minimum. Genie shows both before you book so there are no surprises.
