How to Learn Handyman Skills

Co-authored by Ryaan Tuttle

Last Updated: February 5, 2020

On-the-job experience is one of the best ways to learn handyman skills, but if you want to start a handyman business, you'll usually need a business license and other formal certifications declaring your competency as a handyman. If you want to pursue a handyman career, start your training at home by performing simple maintenance on routine systems such as plumbing and heating. Later you can pursue formal vocational training, then go on to earn a handyman certification provided by your city or county.

Steps

1
Look for basic repairs needed around your house. Whether you rent or own a home, every structure requires maintenance.^{[1]
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- Stay ahead of seasonal repairs and maintenance by fixing problems before inclement weather occurs. Look for leaks in your roof in summer, before heavy rains occur. Check the furnace before the weather turns cold. Inspect your home for pest infestations during early spring, before the warm weather causes bugs to reproduce.
2
Acquaint yourself with home systems such as plumbing, one of the most common home systems that requires ongoing care. Learn how to use a plumber's tools to perform basic maintenance on your home's plumbing systems.^{[2]
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- Keep drains running smoothly. Remove hair and other debris on a regular basis by employing the help of a drain snake.
- Fix leaks. Look underneath sinks, behind toilets and around spigots to find free-flowing water. Discovering how to find a leak's source is critical for any handyman to perform simple plumbing repairs without having to hire a licensed plumber.
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3
Tell friends and family that you want to help with home repairs. Although most homes have similar systems, the more experience you have on different types of homes, the more skilled you'll become at being a general handyman.^{[3]
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4
Get handyman training at a vocational school. Many adult education schools offer courses in basic handyman training. Check community college catalogs for course offerings.^{[4]
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Apprentice with an experienced handyman. Volunteer your services to act as an apprentice for a home repair expert. Although you won't get paid, you'll receive free on-the-job training and guidance by a more experienced professional.^{[5]
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Study local building codes and contractor's requirements. Each city has different criteria for handyman contractors who work on homes. Many will prohibit anyone but a licensed general contractor to make home repairs in excess of a certain dollar amount.
- If you intend to earn money as a home handyman, know the scope of the type of projects you can work on before a contractor's license is required by your city.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I complete jobs faster as a handyman?

Alex Mendez

Community Answer

Know what you're doing, be safe about it, and make sure you're not taking on a job that's too much for you.
Question

Where do I go to get a handyman license?

Community Answer

Most places don't need a license. It varies from state to state. Check with your state to find out if you need a home repair or contractors license and they will help you get one. You should also have insurance in case something goes wrong.

Warnings

Ensure that your friends and family know you are a handyman student. Don't attempt to fix problems that are beyond your skill level or you could make the problem worse, as well as more expensive.

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