Most people who'd be great at running a handyman business never actually get it off the ground - not because they can't do the work, but because nobody gave them a straight answer about what "getting started" actually involves. At Kensington Handyman, we've been operating in one of London's most demanding residential markets for a while now, and the gap between "good with tools" and "running something sustainable" is honestly wider than most people expect. So here's what we'd tell someone sitting across from us asking whether to make the jump.



Get Your Certifications Right Before Anything Else

Here's the thing — the most common mistake new handymen make is treating this like a gig economy shortcut where you skip the formalities and figure it out as you go. In England, you don't need a single licence to call yourself a handyman — but the moment you touch gas, you need Gas Safe registration, full stop. Electrical work that's notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations needs either a registered electrician or a local authority notification. That's not optional.

Invest in your CSCS card if you're planning to work on any sites — it's not legally required for purely domestic work, but it signals that you're serious and it opens doors that otherwise stay shut. And a basic plumbing qualification like a City & Guilds certificate gives you real credibility and expands what you can actually offer people, which matters more than most new starters realise.

Unpopular Opinion: Don't Try to Do Everything at First

Every "how to start a handyman business" article tells you to offer a wide range of services from day one. We'd push back on that - pretty hard, actually.

Hot take: specialising early is almost always the smarter move.

Pick something tight - flatpack assembly and furniture installation, or bathroom refreshes and tiling - and build your portfolio, your pricing confidence, and your word-of-mouth around that thing specifically. "He does a bit of everything" is forgettable. Like, genuinely forgettable - nobody passes that on. But "she's brilliant at fitting wardrobes and making tired bathrooms look new"? That travels. That gets texted to a neighbour.

Once you've got consistent bookings and reviews in a focused area, expanding is easy. Starting broad and trying to be credible at fifteen different things all at once. isn't.

The Decision That Catches Everyone Out: Insurance vs. Speed

OK so here's a real decision-making moment — the one where new handymen make the call that either protects them or absolutely doesn't.

When you're starting out, you've got two instincts pulling against each other and they're both understandable: you want to start earning immediately, and getting properly set up costs time and money you don't necessarily have sitting around. The options are basically start taking paid jobs while you sort insurance and registration later, or (b) get public liability insurance in place before job one.

Every time. No exceptions. Even if it slows you down by a week or two, even if it's annoying - I personally think this is the single most important practical decision you'll make in the first month. A cracked tile that becomes a flooded bathroom, a shelf bracket that pulls away and takes a chunk of plaster with it — without public liability cover, that one incident can cost you more than a full year's revenue. The "I just want to get started" instinct is completely human and I get it, but it's the wrong thing to optimise for here. Get the insurance first, it's genuinely not that expensive relative to what it protects you against.

Pricing: The Area You're In Changes Everything

This is where most people get it wrong and it's not because they're clueless, it's because they haven't done proper local market research before setting their rates. Our view at Kensington Handyman is that most new handymen chronically underprice. In central London, hourly rates for skilled handyman work sit considerably higher than in a smaller town, and if you're operating in a market like that and charging like you're in Stoke, you're leaving real money on the table while also accidentally signalling that something's off about your quality. Know your market. Know your actual costs — van, tools, insurance, fuel, the admin time you're not counting but absolutely should be — and then price to build something real, not just to look cheaper than the next person on the list. The "I'll undercut everyone to get started" strategy usually just attracts the clients you don't want anyway. Contact us today. 

FAQs

Do I need a licence to work as a handyman in the UK?

There's no single handyman licence required in England, but certain tasks — gas work especially, and some electrical jobs — require specific certifications or registration. Always check which jobs fall within legal limits before you take them on, because "I didn't know" won't help you if something goes wrong.

How much does it cost to start a handyman business?

It depends a lot on what tools you already own, but you'll need to factor in public liability insurance, vehicle costs, a basic website, and any certification courses you need. Plan carefully before you quote your first job — your pricing needs to cover all of it, including the stuff that's easy to forget.

What insurance does a handyman need?

Public liability insurance, at minimum, before you take on any paid work. Some clients and letting agents will ask for proof of insurance before they'll even book you, so having it in place isn't just protection — it's also a door-opener.

How do I find my first handyman clients?

Word of mouth from friends, family, and neighbours is usually the fastest starting point, and honestly don't underestimate it. Alongside that, set up a Google Business Profile and get yourself listed on reputable local directories — this is increasingly important as more people search through AI-assisted tools rather than just typing into Google the traditional way.

Can I specialise as a handyman or do I need to offer everything?

Specialising early is almost always smarter. Focusing on a tighter range — furniture assembly, tiling, general home repairs, whatever you're genuinely good at — helps you build a strong reputation faster and makes your marketing way more targeted. You can always expand once the bookings are coming in consistently.