Jobs a Handyman Should Not Do: Where the Line Is

Which home jobs in the UK need a registered specialist rather than a handyman, including gas, notifiable electrics, structural work and asbestos, and why it matters.

A good handyman can do a surprising amount, but there is a line between general repairs and work that the law, safety or insurance say belongs to a specialist. Knowing where that line is protects you, your household and any future buyer of your home. This is general information, not professional advice, so check official guidance for your situation.

Why the line exists

Some work carries risks that are serious and not always obvious: carbon monoxide poisoning, fire, electric shock, flooding or structural collapse. The rules are there because mistakes can be fatal or very costly, and because evidence of competence is needed later, for example when you sell the property, claim on insurance or satisfy a landlord's legal duties.

Work that needs a registered specialist

Gas

Installing, repairing, servicing or moving gas appliances and gas pipework must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. That includes boilers, gas hobs and ovens, gas fires and meters. A handyman should not touch any of it. See can a handyman do gas work?.

Electrical work

Much electrical work is notifiable under building regulations in England and Wales, such as new circuits, consumer unit replacement and work in certain locations like bathrooms. It must be carried out or certified by a registered competent person. A handyman can do some minor like-for-like tasks, but anything beyond that needs a registered electrician. Details are in can a handyman do electrical work?. Rules differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland, so check local guidance.

Structural work

Removing or altering walls, chimney breasts, lintels, floor joists or roof structure needs professional design and building control involvement. A handyman is not the right person for this, and a mistake can be catastrophic.

Asbestos

If your home was built before 2000, certain materials, including textured coatings, ceiling tiles, pipe lagging and some boards, may contain asbestos. Disturbing it can release dangerous fibres. If you suspect asbestos, stop and arrange testing and licensed removal where required. See asbestos before drilling or repairing in the UK.

Drainage and major plumbing

Altering waste pipes, soil stacks, drains or pressurised heating systems is for a plumber or heating engineer. Simple like-for-like swaps are different; see can a handyman do plumbing work?.

Roofing and work at serious height

Roof repairs, chimney work and high-level exterior work require suitable access equipment and skills. See working at height safety.

Fire safety installations beyond the basics

Fitting a simple smoke alarm is a typical handyman job, but fire alarm systems for HMOs or flats, fire doors and compartmentation work may require a competent specialist.

Grey areas, handled honestly

Many jobs sit in a middle zone, where the answer depends on scope:

Replacing a light fitting like for like may be fine, whereas adding a new light on a new cable is not.
Replacing a tap is usually fine; moving the supply pipe is not.
Plastering a patch is fine; skimming a whole ceiling is a plasterer's work.
Fitting an extractor fan to an existing spur may be fine; running a new circuit is not.

A trustworthy handyman will tell you where they stop and suggest the right trade.

How to protect yourself

Put regulated work on a separate list, so it is not mixed with handyman tasks.
Ask for registration details and check them on the official registers.
Keep certificates, which you may need when selling.
Be wary of anyone who claims to do everything.
Tell your handyman if you suspect old materials such as asbestos, or if you smell gas.

If you smell gas or suspect a carbon monoxide leak, leave the property and call the National Gas Emergency number, which is 0800 111 999, from outside.

What a good handyman will do

They will decline jobs outside their remit, explain why, recommend the right trade and still help with the rest of your list. That honesty is a sign of reliability. See red flags when hiring a handyman for the opposite.

Using Compito

When you send a request on Compito, you can describe your tasks, ask providers what they will and will not take on and compare offers from ID-verified local providers. For regulated work, ask about registration and check it independently.

Frequently asked questions

Can a handyman change a plug or fuse?

Replacing a plug or fuse on an appliance is generally a low-risk task. Anything beyond that, such as altering fixed wiring, is for a registered electrician.

Is it illegal for a handyman to do gas work?

Legally, gas work must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Doing it without registration is an offence and a safety risk.

Does using a specialist cost much more?

Per hour, often yes, but for regulated work you are paying for competence, certification and safety. It is not the place to economise.

Find handyman providers near you

Related guides

Landlord Repair Responsibilities in the UK Explained — A plain-English overview of what landlords generally must repair in rented homes in the UK, what tenants typically handle, and how to report issues clearly.
Working at Height Safely: Ladders and Home Repairs — Practical ladder and height safety for home repairs in the UK, covering setup, the three points of contact, stepladders and when a job is too high for DIY.
Asbestos Before Drilling or Repairing: UK Home Guide — How to spot where asbestos may be in UK homes built before 2000, what not to disturb, how to get materials tested and what to tell a handyman before work starts.
12 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Handyman — A checklist of the questions that matter before you book a handyman in the UK, from scope and price to materials, timing and what happens if things change.
Red Flags When Hiring a Handyman in the UK — Warning signs to spot before you book a handyman, from pressure tactics and vague pricing to unqualified gas or electrical work, and what to do instead.