thumb|280px|A handyman working on a door frame

A handyman, also known as a handyperson or handyworker, maintenance worker, maintenance man, repairman, repair worker, or repair technician, is a person who is knowledgeable in skills such as basic carpentry, plumbing, minor electrical wiring and property maintenance. They can perform a wide range of repairs, typically for keeping buildings, shops or equipment around the home in good condition. These tasks include trade skills, repair work, maintenance work, are both interior and exterior, and are sometimes described as "side work", "odd jobs" or "fix-up tasks". Specifically, these jobs could be light plumbing jobs such as fixing a leaky toilet or light electric jobs such as changing a light fixture or bulb.

The term handyman increasingly describes a paid worker, but it also includes non-paid homeowners or do-it-yourselfers. The term handyman is also occasionally applied as an adjective to describe politicians or business leaders who make substantial organizational changes, such as overhauling a business structure or administrative division.thumb|right|alt=A white mailbox, attached to a wall|A handyman built this mailbox from particle board, with hinges, and exterior paint; the rounded edges were made with a sander.

Projects

thumb|This project replacing an air conditioning vent on a roof.

Tasks range from minor to major, from unskilled to highly skilled, and include painting, drywall repair, remodeling, minor plumbing work, minor electrical work, household carpentry, sheetrock, crown moulding, and furniture assembly.

thumb|right|alt=Picture of cabinets in a kitchen|Installing kitchen cabinets is a medium-level handyworker job, with multiple steps.

Businesses

Market estimates

An estimate was that in 2003, the market in the United States for home-maintenance and repair spending was up 14% from 2001 to 2003. Another estimate was that the market in the United States was $126 billion and was increasing by about 4% annually. American homes are aging; one estimate was that in 2007, more than half of all homes are older than 25 years. but forecast a 1.2 percent decrease in franchise businesses during the 2008–2009 recession. Trends such as a "poverty of time" and a "glut of unhandy husbands" has spurred the business.

Other competitors include online referral services.

  • Canada's Worst Handyman, a Canadian reality show

See also

  • Do it yourself
  • Home improvement
  • Home repair
  • Tradesman

References

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