Comparison

Handyman vs. Tradesman, who to call when

Published 15. 7. 2026 · Manžel Praha

When something goes wrong in an apartment, the first question is usually who to call. A handyman for a minor repair, or straight away a specialised tradesperson? The answer depends on the scale of the intervention and what the work involves, whether it concerns replacing a part on an existing installation or working on the distribution system itself. This overview will help you distinguish when a handyman is sufficient and when an electrician, plumber or gas engineer with proper authorisation is required.

What is a handyman and what are they suitable for

A handyman is a versatile tradesman for small household tasks, installations, drilling, hanging, minor furniture repairs and minor interventions on existing installations, such as replacing a tap or a switch. His advantage is that one visit covers several diverse tasks at once, without the need to order a different specialist for each minor job and arrange multiple appointments separately.

When a handyman is sufficient

A handyman is the right choice for part-for-part replacements on existing installations, mounting or hanging tasks, or minor repairs that do not involve extensive work on distribution systems. Typical jobs include assembling furniture, wall-mounting a TV, replacing a light bulb, switch or socket, changing a tap or siphon, adjusting doors and windows, or completing a flat after moving in.

When do you need an electrician

Once the work involves the electrical installation itself, new cabling, distribution board adjustments, protection devices or anything requiring expert assessment and inspection. It must be handled by a specialised electrician with the appropriate authorisation. Electrical installation work is for authorised experts, even when a fault initially appears minor; for instance, a repeatedly tripping circuit breaker or a sparking socket may indicate a more serious issue in the distribution system.

When do you need a plumber

A handyman can easily handle minor replacements of a radiator, siphon or seal. However, if the work involves more extensive intervention in the water distribution system, rerouting pipes, or recurring water leaks where the cause is not immediately obvious, it is appropriate to call in a plumber who will inspect and repair the system to a professional standard. Similarly, significant leakage into the ceiling or between floors is no longer a minor repair but an intervention requiring a specialised approach.

When do you need a gas engineer

For gas appliances and gas distribution systems, the same rule applies as for electricity, work on gas must be carried out by authorised specialists. Connecting or relocating a gas appliance, any intervention in the gas distribution system, and any suspicion of a gas leak must always be handled by a specialist with the appropriate authorisation, never by DIY repair.

Quick overview: who does what

• Handyman - furniture and TV installation, hanging and fixing, blinds and sealing, replacement of taps, traps, light fittings, switches or sockets, apartment assembly after moving in.
• Electrician with authorisation - new cabling, distribution board modification, protection devices, electrical installation inspection.
• Plumber - switching and repairing water distribution systems, recurring or unclear water leaks, replacement of larger pipe sections.
• Gas engineer with authorisation - connection and relocation of gas appliances, work on the gas distribution system, suspected leak.

How to identify work that requires a certified specialist

The simplest guide is a simple question: is it a replacement or minor adjustment to an existing installation, or does it involve work on the electrical, water or gas supply? In the first case, a handyman is sufficient; in the second, the work requires a qualified specialist. It also helps to consider how long the problem has persisted and whether it recurs: a one-off minor issue is usually a simple replacement, whereas a recurring fault often points to a deeper cause in the supply system. If you are unsure which category your job falls into, we will tell you straight up before we come to you. It is better to seek advice beforehand than to start work that is outside our scope.