How to check a handyman's skill matches your job

You're looking at a leaky tap, a wonky cupboard door, and three loose ceiling roses. Or maybe it's something bigger — regrouting bathroom tiles, replacing a light fixture, patching drywall. Either way, you need someone who's done this exact type of work before and done it well. The problem is that "handyman" can mean anything from a jack-of-all-trades who's genuinely skilled to someone who watched a YouTube video last week. Here's how to separate the two.

Search their track record and ask for proof

Start with the basics. Ask the handyman for references — ideally two or three people who had similar work done in the past six months. When you call them, don't just ask "Were you happy?" Instead, ask: "Did the work hold up? Has anything needed redoing?" and "Would you hire them again for a trickier job?"

If they're registered with a trade body relevant to the work (PSIRA for security work, or relevant SETAs for other trades), ask for their registration number and verify it. This isn't a legal requirement for all handyman work, but if they claim membership, you should check it. On Strove, you can see reviews from previous clients and their response patterns — does the handyman answer questions, handle complaints professionally, and stick around long enough to address problems?

For specific skills, ask what tools they own and whether they've invested in decent ones. Someone doing electrical work should have a proper multimeter and test equipment. Someone doing tiling should have tile cutters and mixing equipment. This signals whether they take the work seriously enough to have kit. Ask how long they've been doing this type of work specifically — not just "How long have you been a handyman?" but "How many times have you replaced a shower valve?" or "How many kitchens have you regrouted?" A vague answer is a warning flag.

Get proof of the specific skill you need

Don't assume a handyman who's great at painting is good at plumbing, or that someone skilled at carpentry can safely wire a light. Ask them to walk you through exactly how they'd tackle your job. Their answer should include tools they'd use, potential problems they'd watch for, and how long they think it'll take. If they're vague or start giving you a generic answer, they may not have done this particular task before.

Before you book, ask for a photo of recent work similar to yours. If they've done bathroom regrouting, they should have pictures of grout lines they've sealed. If they're replacing a ceiling rose, they should show you an installed fixture, not just a product photo. Ask them to explain what they see in those photos — what went well, what was tricky. This tells you whether they're actually familiar with the work or just borrowing images.

For jobs with hidden risks — anything electrical, plumbing, or structural — ask whether they'd do a free walk-through first. A genuine professional will often spot problems during a visit that they couldn't price over the phone. They should be able to explain what they'd check for and why. If they quote a price without seeing the job, be cautious.

One final check: ask them to explain any warranty or guarantee they offer on the work. Not all handyman jobs qualify for formal warranties, but they should be willing to come back and fix something that's gone wrong within a reasonable timeframe. If they won't commit to that, it's a signal they're not confident in their own work.

When you've done these checks and found someone who can speak clearly about the specific job, has references from similar work, and has invested in proper tools, you've found a handyman worth booking. Strove's verified providers have already passed basic checks, and you can read detailed client feedback before you ring them — which cuts down a lot of this legwork for you.