Handymen may also be called out to deal with emergency situations such as leaks or breakages.

Handymen are typically hired by householders and commercial property owners, buy-to-let landlords, letting agents, housing associations, care homes, pubs, hotels and B&Bs.

This profile provides information about starting up and trading as a handyman (used as a general term throughout the profile to include handywomen as well). It describes the skills required, the training available, the current market trends and the key trading issues. It also explains the legislation that must be complied with and provides sources of further information and support.