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.
Most problems with small jobs start with a misunderstanding rather than bad intentions. A few well-chosen questions, asked before anyone picks up a drill, turn assumptions into agreements. Use this list as a script, either in a conversation or in the messages that follow your request.
About the work
1. Have you done this kind of job before?
You are not looking for a sales pitch, just a straight answer. "Yes, I put up shelving most weeks" is more reassuring than "I can do anything". Ask for an example if the job is unusual, such as heavy mirrors or a TV on a lime-plaster wall.
2. What will you do first, and how long should it take?
A reliable handyman can describe the sequence in plain words. It shows they have thought about your actual wall, door or bath rather than a generic version.
3. Is there anything that could change the plan?
Hidden damp, rotten timber, hollow walls or an unusual fixing can all make a job longer. Asking up front shows how they think about risk and whether they will stop and consult you.
About the price
4. Is that a fixed price or an estimate?
They are different, as explained in hourly rate vs fixed price. Ask for a fixed price where possible and an upper limit if hourly.
5. What is included, and what is extra?
Specifically: materials, fixings, parking, waste removal, making good afterwards and any call-out minimum. Check this against who pays for materials.
6. How and when do I pay?
You should know whether payment is online in advance, on completion or in stages. Be cautious about paying the whole sum in cash upfront. Using an online payment route creates a record.
About timing and access
7. When can you start, and how long is the visit?
Ask for a time window and what happens if they are delayed. If you need to take time off work, it matters.
8. Who will actually attend?
Some businesses subcontract or send an assistant. Make sure you know who is coming, and that it matches the person you chose.
9. What do you need from me before you arrive?
Clear access, parking, power, materials and a quiet room are common answers. Preparation reduces wasted time, as explained in what to prepare before a handyman visit.
About standards and safety
10. Are there parts of this job you would not do?
A trustworthy handyman will say if a task needs a Gas Safe engineer or a registered electrician. If they confidently offer to do either without any qualification, that is a warning. See jobs a handyman should not do.
11. How do you protect floors, furniture and the surrounding area?
Dust sheets, shoe covers and tidy habits are small things that show care. For work like drilling into plaster, ask how they manage dust.
12. What happens if something is not right afterwards?
Ask how they handle snags and revisits. A confident professional will say they come back to fix it. Make sure you know how to raise it in writing and keep photos.
Putting the answers on record
Do not rely on memory. Summarise what was agreed in a short message, for example: "Hi, to confirm: two-door wardrobe assembly and fixing to the wall, Saturday 10am, £90 fixed, I will provide wall fixings." The provider can reply "confirmed". This is one reason it helps to use a platform with messaging: the conversation is already stored in one place.
On Compito, you can send a request, receive an offer, ask these questions by message and then accept and pay online. After the job is complete you can leave a review.
What good answers sound like
- Specific rather than vague
- Comfortable with limits
- Willing to put things in writing
- Not defensive when you ask questions
- Practical about what they will and will not do
Warning signs in the answers
- "Do not worry, it will be fine" without detail
- Price changes between messages with no explanation
- Refusal to discuss what is included
- Insistence on cash with no paperwork
- Claims to be able to do every trade
More on these in red flags when hiring a handyman.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to ask all twelve questions for a tiny job?
No. For a single shelf, questions about price, timing and materials are enough. The longer list suits bigger jobs and first-time bookings.
Is it rude to ask for the price in writing?
Not at all. Professionals expect it, and it protects both sides.
Should I ask for references?
For larger work, it is sensible. For small jobs, recent reviews from completed bookings usually tell you what you need.