You’ve got a home project in mind. Maybe it’s fixing a leaky tap, mounting a TV on the wall, or renovating your kitchen. The question is: do you need a handyman or a contractor?
In Singapore, the terms get thrown around loosely, but they actually refer to quite different types of service providers. Choosing the right one can save you time, money, and a lot of frustration.
What Does a Handyman Do?
A handyman handles a wide range of smaller maintenance, repair, and installation tasks around the home. Think of a handyman as the go-to person for everyday fixes and improvements that don’t require major structural work.
Typical handyman jobs include:
- Furniture assembly and disassembly
- Drilling and wall mounting (shelves, TVs, mirrors, curtain rods)
- Door and window repairs (handles, hinges, locks)
- Minor plumbing (leaky taps, replacing shower heads, unclogging sinks)
- Minor electrical work (replacing light fixtures, switches, power points)
- Painting and touch-ups
- Aircon servicing and basic troubleshooting
- Hanging pictures and installing hooks
- General repairs and odd jobs
A good handyman is versatile. They can show up, assess the job, and usually complete it in a single visit.
What Does a Contractor Do?
A contractor (sometimes called a renovation contractor or main contractor) takes on larger, more complex projects that may involve structural changes, permits, and coordination of multiple trades.
Typical contractor jobs include:
- Full or partial home renovations
- Kitchen and bathroom overhauls
- Hacking walls or changing the layout of an HDB flat
- Custom carpentry (built-in wardrobes, kitchen cabinets, platform beds)
- Flooring replacement across multiple rooms
- Electrical rewiring of the entire home
- Major plumbing work (rerouting pipes, installing new bathrooms)
Contractors usually work with a team and subcontract specialists like electricians, plumbers, and carpenters. They manage the entire project from start to finish.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Factor | Handyman | Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Small to medium tasks | Large-scale projects |
| Duration | Hours (usually same day) | Days to weeks |
| Cost | $50 to $300 per job | $5,000 to $50,000+ |
| Permits | Usually not needed | May require HDB/BCA approval |
| Team size | Usually works alone | Team of tradespeople |
| Quoting | Quick, often on the spot | Detailed written quotation |
When to Hire a Handyman
Choose a handyman when:
- The job can be done in a few hours or less
- No structural changes are involved
- You don’t need permits or approvals
- You need someone flexible who can handle multiple small tasks in one visit
- The fix is relatively straightforward (even if you don’t want to do it yourself)
A classic example: you’ve just moved into a new BTO flat and need curtain rods installed, a few shelves mounted, and a bathroom mirror put up. A handyman can knock all of that out in a single afternoon.
Another common scenario: your kitchen tap is leaking, a cabinet door is loose, and a door handle needs replacing. Instead of calling three different specialists, one handyman visit covers everything.
When to Hire a Contractor
Choose a contractor when:
- The project involves structural work (hacking, building walls, changing layouts)
- You need custom carpentry or built-in furniture
- The work requires permits from HDB or BCA
- Multiple trades need to be coordinated (electrical, plumbing, tiling, carpentry)
- The budget is in the thousands and the timeline is weeks, not hours
For example, if you’re doing a full renovation of your resale HDB flat, including replacing the flooring, overhauling the kitchen, and changing the bathroom layout, you need a licensed renovation contractor who can manage the entire scope.
Licensing in Singapore: What You Should Know
In Singapore, renovation contractors working on HDB flats must be registered with HDB. You can check the list of HDB-registered renovation contractors on the HDB website. This registration ensures that the contractor follows HDB’s renovation guidelines, which cover things like approved working hours, noise limits, and restrictions on structural changes.
For private properties, contractors undertaking structural work may need to be registered with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA).
Handymen in Singapore don’t require a specific license for general repair and maintenance work. However, certain tasks like electrical work on mains wiring should be done by a licensed electrician, and major plumbing work may require a licensed plumber.
Cost Comparison
Here’s a realistic look at costs in Singapore:
Handyman rates:
- Per-job pricing: $50 to $300 depending on complexity
- Hourly rates: $30 to $60 per hour (some handymen charge this way)
- Multiple small jobs in one visit often get a package rate
Contractor rates:
- Simple renovation (e.g., painting + new flooring for a 4-room HDB): $8,000 to $15,000
- Mid-range renovation (kitchen, bathroom, flooring, painting): $20,000 to $40,000
- Full renovation with custom carpentry: $40,000 to $80,000+
The gap is significant, which is why it’s worth thinking carefully about whether your project actually needs a full contractor or whether a handyman can get the job done at a fraction of the cost.
The Grey Area: When Either Could Work
Some jobs fall in between. Painting a single room? A handyman can handle that. Painting an entire 5-room flat with wall repairs and colour consultation? A painting contractor might be more appropriate.
Installing a new toilet bowl? A handyman with plumbing experience can do it. Redesigning the entire bathroom with new tiling, a rain shower, and a vanity? That’s contractor territory.
When in doubt, describe the job and get quotes from both. A good handyman will tell you honestly if the job is beyond their scope, and a good contractor won’t take on a job that’s too small to justify their setup.
The Bottom Line
For everyday repairs, installations, and maintenance around your Singapore home, a handyman is usually the faster, more affordable, and more practical choice. For large-scale renovations involving structural changes and multiple trades, a licensed contractor is the way to go.
If you’ve got a list of odd jobs piling up, Forhad Handyman Services can help. From drilling and mounting to furniture assembly, minor plumbing, painting, and aircon servicing, we handle it all at honest prices. Drop us a message and we’ll sort it out for you.