Handyman Refuse Workers & Other Elementary Workers
SaveWhat Does a Handyman Do?
Handymen perform various maintenance and repair activities for buildings, grounds and other facilities. They repair and renovate structures and components, fences, gates and roofs, assemble furniture and perform plumbing and electrical activities. They check heating and ventilation systems, air quality and humidity in the building.
Resource recommendations may include affiliate links. Learn more
Where Do I Start?
Domestic Heating Systems
The modern and traditional heating systems alimented by gas, wood, oil, biomass, solar power and other renewable energy sources and their energy saving principles.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Handyman
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
-
EssentialDomestic Heating Systems knowledge
The modern and traditional heating systems alimented by gas, wood, oil, biomass, solar power and other renewable energy sources and their energy saving principles.
No book recommendations available yet.
-
EssentialElectricity knowledge
Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.
No book recommendations available yet.
-
EssentialCarpentry knowledge
Construction methods related to timber items, such as construction of roofs, floors and timber framed buildings and other related products such as doors or skirting boards.
Recommended Books
5 booksElementary Principles of CarpentryThe Complete Book of Woodworking and CarpentryRustic CarpentryCarpentry and Woodworking; a Handbook of Tools, Materials, Methods and Directions -
EssentialBuilding Construction Principles knowledge
The component elements and principles of building construction such as types of wall construction and foundations, defects in walls and roofs and ways to address such defects.
Recommended Books
2 books -
EssentialElectrical Wiring Plans knowledge
Pictorial representation of an electrical circuit. It shows the components of the circuit as simplified shapes, and the power and signal connections between the devices. It gives information about the …
-
EssentialVentilation Systems knowledge
The types of mechanical ventilation systems that permits the exchange and circulation of air.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialFire Safety Regulations knowledge
The legal rules to be applied for fire safety and fire prevention in a facility.
No book recommendations available yet.
-
EssentialMechanics knowledge
Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.
No book recommendations available yet.
-
EssentialMaintain Customer Service skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
EssentialMaintain Records Of Maintenance Interventions skill
Keep written records of all repairs and maintenance interventions undertaken, including information on the parts and materials used, etc.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
EssentialMaintain Work Area Cleanliness skill
Keep the working area and equipment clean and orderly.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
EssentialUse Measurement Instruments skill
Use different measurement instruments depending on the property to be measured. Utilise various instruments to measure length, area, volume, speed, energy, force, and others.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
EssentialUse Personal Protection Equipment skill
Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
EssentialUse Power Tools skill
Operate power driven pumps. Use hand tools or power tools. Use vehicle repair tools or safety equipment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
EssentialWork Ergonomically skill
Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
EssentialCalculate Costs Of Repair Operations skill
Calculate material and labour costs of repair operations; understand appropriate computer programmes.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
EssentialRead Technical Datasheet skill
Read and understand the technical specifications describing the characteristics and functionality mode of a product, component or machine, usually provided by the manufacturer.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
EssentialUse Traditional Toolbox Tools skill
Use tools found in a traditional toolbox, such as hammer, plier, screwdriver, and wrench. Observe safety precautions while operating these instruments.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 30 displayed)
-
OptionalConstruction Product Regulation knowledge
Regulations on construction products quality standards applied throughout the European Union.
No book recommendations available yet.
-
OptionalEnergy knowledge
Power capacity in the form of mechanical, electrical, heat, potential, or other energy from chemical or physical resources, which can be used to drive a physical system.
No book recommendations available yet.
-
OptionalDispose Waste skill
Dispose waste in accordance with legislation, thereby respecting environmental and company responsibilities.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalFollow Safety Procedures When Working At Heights skill
Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these …
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalInstall Insulation Material skill
Place insulation material, often shaped into rolls, in order to insulate a structure from thermical or acoustic influences and to prevent fire. Attach the material using face staples, inset staples, …
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalRepair Electronic Components skill
Repair, replace or adjust damaged electronics components or circuitry; use hand tools and soldering and welding equipment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalRepair Furniture Parts skill
Repair locks, pegs, braces, frames or other parts of furniture.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalSelect Hazard Control skill
Perform appropriate selection of hazard control measures and risk management
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalUse Specialised Tools In Electric Repairs skill
Use of a variety of specialised tools, instruments and machines, such as presses, drills and grinders; employ them to carry out repairs in a safety manner.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalWork In Outdoor Conditions skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalAssemble Prefabricated Furniture skill
Assemble parts of prefabricated furniture, in order to bring it to its initial form.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalClean Building Floors skill
Clean the floors and stairways of buildings by sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping them, according to hygienic and organisational standards.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalClean Confined Spaces skill
Perform required cleaning activities in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces which pose risks to human health and safety such as tanks, wells, manholes and open ditches. Take all the preventive …
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalExplain Features Of Electrical Household Appliances skill
Present and explain the characteristics and features of household equipment such as refrigerators, washing machines and vacuum cleaners; explain brand differentiation, performance and durability.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalIdentify Condensation Problems skill
Assess the building's situation and look for signs of condensation, damp or mould and inform landlords or residents on methods to tackle and prevent their escalation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalInstall Floor Coverings skill
Install carpets and other floor coverings by taking the correct measurements, cutting the fabric or material at the appropriate length and using hand and power tools to fix them to …
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalInstall Ventilation Equipment skill
Install equipment to enable the ventilation of a structure. Mount fans and install air inlets and outlets. Install ducts to permit the transfer of air. Configure the ventilation system if …
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalInstall Wall Coverings skill
Install curtains, wall panels, window shields and other wall coverings by taking the correct measurements, cutting the fabric or material at the appropriate length and using hand and power tools …
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalMaintain Lighting Equipment skill
Check, maintain and repair electrical, mechanical and optical lighting elements.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalManage Buildings' Damp Problems skill
Use damp proofing treatment and repairs to eliminate such problems which can damage the structure of walls or furniture, wallpaper, plaster and paintwork.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalPerform Ground Maintenance Activities skill
Clean building grounds of rubbish, glass or any other trash, mow grass or trim bushes.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalPerform Maintenance On Fire Alarm Systems skill
Monitor the fire alarm system in the building and maintain emergency lights and smoke detectors by performing regular testing.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalPerform Pest Control skill
Carry out crop spraying pest and disease operations in line with National industry and customer requirements. Carry out slurry and fertiliser spreading in accordance with local environmental regulations
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalPerform Weed Control Operations skill
Carry out crop spraying for weeds and plant disease operations in line with national industry and customer requirements.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalPlace Sanitary Equipment skill
Place sanitary equipment, such as toilets and sinks. Attach the equipment securely to walls and floors. Install taps and water disposal pipes.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalRemove Snow skill
Perform snow ploughing and snow removal from roads, driveways, and sidewalks.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalRepair Household Appliances skill
Following the manufacturer's blueprints, perform parts replacement or repair of household devices such as stoves, boilers, washing machines, refrigerators and dish washers.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalRepair Plumbing Systems skill
Perform maintenance and repairs of pipes and drains designed for the distribution of water in public and private buildings.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalRepair Ventilation Equipment skill
Inspect the ventilation system to detect damage, clean out the air vents, replace heating filters and schedule further maintenance or repairs.
Course recommendations coming soon.
-
OptionalUse Snow-removal Equipment skill
Use equipment such as shovels, snow rakes, snow blowers, ladders or aerial lifts to remove snow from various structures such as rooftops and other building structures and public spaces.
Course recommendations coming soon.