Handyman Licence Requirements in the UK

Introduction: Is a Handyman Licence Required in the UK?

If you’ve ever hired someone to carry out work around your home — or considered starting a handyman business yourself — you’ve likely wondered: do handymen need a licence to operate in the UK?

The honest answer is: it depends on what they’re doing. The UK doesn’t require a single universal “handyman licence” the way some countries do. However, that doesn’t mean anyone can legally pick up a toolbox and work on your home without any qualifications. Far from it.

Certain trades within the broader handyman industry are strictly regulated by law, and carrying out work without the correct certification isn’t just unprofessional — it can be illegal, dangerous, and could void your home insurance or cause serious complications when selling your property.

At Fix in London, we believe every homeowner deserves to understand exactly what qualifications and licences are required before letting anyone work on their property. This guide breaks it all down clearly, honestly, and completely.

What Is a Handyman? Defining the Role in the UK Context

Before we dive into licensing, it’s important to understand what the term “handyman” actually means in the UK context.

A handyman is a skilled generalist — someone capable of carrying out a wide variety of home maintenance, repair, and improvement tasks. Unlike a specialist tradesperson (a plumber, electrician, or gas engineer), a handyman typically works across multiple disciplines, handling jobs that don’t require deep specialist expertise.

Common handyman tasks include furniture assembly, painting and decorating, shelf installation, door and window repairs, minor plastering, grouting, caulking, general carpentry, and basic plumbing maintenance like replacing tap washers or fixing toilet cisterns.

The key distinction is this: a handyman can legally carry out a wide range of general maintenance tasks without any formal licence. But the moment a job crosses into regulated territory — gas, most electrical work, structural changes — specific legal certifications become mandatory, regardless of whether the person doing the work calls themselves a handyman or a specialist.

The UK Regulatory Landscape: An Overview

The UK operates on a trade-specific certification model. Rather than one overarching handyman licence, different types of work are governed by different regulatory bodies and legal frameworks. Understanding this landscape is essential for both homeowners hiring help and tradespeople offering services.

Here is a clear overview of the main regulatory areas:

Breaking Down Each Key Regulation

1. General Handyman Work — No Licence Required, But Skills Matter

For the broad category of general repairs and maintenance, there is no statutory licence requirement in the UK. Any individual can legally offer handyman services covering tasks like painting, basic carpentry, furniture assembly, tiling, grouting, and minor plumbing maintenance.

However, “no licence required” does not mean “no standards required.” Homeowners should always look for handymen with demonstrable experience, strong reviews, and professional indemnity and public liability insurance. A reputable company like Fix in London ensures every member of the team is thoroughly vetted, insured, and experienced — even for work that isn’t legally regulated.

2. Electrical Work — Part P of the Building Regulations

This is one of the most commonly misunderstood areas of UK home repair law. Part P of the Building Regulations applies to electrical installations in dwellings in England and Wales (Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own equivalent regulations).

Under Part P, certain electrical work is classified as “notifiable” — meaning it must either be carried out by a registered competent person or be notified to and inspected by the local building authority.

Notifiable electrical work includes installing a new circuit, replacing a consumer unit (fuse box), or carrying out electrical work in a kitchen or bathroom where the risk of electric shock is higher. Non-notifiable work — like replacing a like-for-like socket or light switch — can be done without formal certification, provided it’s done safely.

Registered electricians belong to schemes such as NICEIC, NAPIT, or the Electrical Competent Person Scheme. Only registered members can self-certify their work without a local authority inspection.

Important: Working on notifiable electrical installations without the correct certification is a criminal offence under the Building Regulations. It can also invalidate your home insurance and create significant problems during property sales.

3. Gas Work — The Gas Safe Register

Gas is the most tightly regulated area of domestic work in the UK, and for very good reason. Improper gas work kills people every year through explosions, fires, and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, it is illegal for anyone to carry out gas work on a domestic property in the UK unless they are registered with the Gas Safe Register. This applies to installing, servicing, repairing, or modifying any gas appliance, pipework, or fitting — including boilers, gas cookers, gas fires, and hobs.

The Gas Safe Register replaced CORGI registration in 2009 and is the official UK body for gas safety. Every registered engineer carries an ID card showing their registration number and the specific types of gas work they are qualified to carry out.

Never allow anyone to carry out gas work on your property without first checking their Gas Safe registration. You can verify any engineer at gassaferegister.co.uk.

4. Oil Heating Systems — OFTEC Registration

If your property has an oil-fired boiler or heating system, any work on that system must be carried out by an OFTEC-registered technician. OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association) is the industry body responsible for setting standards for oil heating and cooking.

Like Gas Safe, OFTEC registration ensures the technician has been assessed, trained, and is competent to work safely with oil systems. Non-registered individuals can carry out oil heating work, but the work must then be inspected and signed off by the local building authority — a process that adds time, cost, and inconvenience.

5. Plumbing — Where the Lines Get Blurry

Plumbing in the UK sits in an interesting regulatory grey area. There is no universal licence requirement for plumbers in England and Wales. However, certain types of plumbing work are notifiable under the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, meaning they must be carried out by an approved contractor or notified to the local water authority.

Notifiable plumbing work includes installing a new bathroom, connecting to the mains water supply, installing a bidet, and certain other works involving water fittings.

The WaterSafe scheme is the UK’s register of approved plumbers, and hiring a WaterSafe-approved contractor ensures work is compliant without the need for separate notification. While not legally mandatory for all plumbing work, professional membership in WaterSafe or the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) is a strong indicator of quality and professionalism.

6. Structural Work — Building Regulations Approval

Any work that affects the structure of a building — removing a load-bearing wall, converting a loft, building an extension, or making changes to a roof — requires Building Regulations approval from the local authority or an approved inspector.

This doesn’t mean the person doing the work needs a specific personal licence, but the work must meet building regulations standards and must be signed off. Projects above a certain scale may also require planning permission.

Structural work should always be carried out by qualified builders, structural engineers, and relevant certified tradespeople. Attempting structural modifications without the correct approvals is not only dangerous but also illegal, and can make your property unmortgageable and difficult to insure.

7. Asbestos — HSE Licensed Contractors Only

Asbestos remains present in many UK properties built before 2000, particularly in older London housing stock. If any work might disturb asbestos — including drilling, cutting, or removing certain materials — the rules are very strict.

For licensed asbestos work (which covers most significant asbestos removal), only contractors licensed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) may carry out the work. Unlicensed individuals who disturb asbestos can face criminal prosecution and, far more seriously, risk their own health and the health of others through asbestos exposure.

Fix in London always assesses the potential for asbestos before commencing work in older properties and will always advise customers appropriately.

Certifications and Accreditations Worth Looking For

While some certifications are legally mandated, others are voluntary but serve as strong indicators of quality and professionalism. Here’s a summary of both categories:

What Should You Check Before Hiring a Handyman in London?

Now that you understand the regulatory landscape, here’s a practical checklist for homeowners in London when hiring any handyman or tradesperson:

For any general handyman work:

• Check for genuine customer reviews on Google, Checkatrade, or Trustpilot
• Confirm they carry public liability insurance (minimum £1 million cover recommended)
• Ask for a written quote before work begins
• Ensure they are experienced in the specific task you need done

For regulated work (gas, electrical, structural):

• Verify Gas Safe registration at gassaferegister.co.uk for any gas work
• Confirm Part P competent person registration for notifiable electrical work
• Request copies of any relevant certificates upon job completion
• Check that work will be compliant with building regulations

Always avoid:

• Tradespeople who are unwilling to provide written quotes or receipts
• Anyone offering gas or electrical work at suspiciously low prices
• Unregistered individuals claiming to be “just as good” as Gas Safe or Part P registered engineers
• Anyone who asks for full payment upfront before any work is started

Why Fix in London Meets Every Standard

Fix in London is one of London’s most trusted handyman services, and we take compliance, professionalism, and customer protection seriously at every level.

Here’s what you get when you book with Fix in London:

Fully insured team. Every Fix in London handyman carries comprehensive public liability insurance, protecting you, your home, and your belongings throughout the job.

Properly qualified professionals. For regulated work — including electrical and gas-related tasks — we only deploy or refer appropriately registered professionals. We never cut corners on compliance.

Transparent and honest communication. If a job requires a specialist with a specific licence that falls outside our handyman scope, we’ll tell you clearly and point you in the right direction. We’d rather lose a job than put a customer at risk.

Excellent track record. With hundreds of five-star reviews across London, Fix in London has built its reputation on doing things right. Our customers trust us — and that trust has been earned through consistent quality, professionalism, and honesty.

Wide coverage across London. From Central London to the outer boroughs, Fix in London operates across the entire city, providing prompt, reliable, and fairly priced handyman services wherever you are.

Handyman Licence Requirements by UK Nation: Key Differences

It’s worth noting that building regulations and trade requirements can differ slightly depending on where in the UK you are:

Gas Safe registration is the one truly universal requirement across all four nations of the UK — underscoring just how seriously gas safety is treated at a national level.

The Risks of Hiring Unqualified Tradespeople

The consequences of hiring unregistered or unqualified tradespeople for regulated work can be severe. These aren’t hypothetical risks — they happen regularly across the UK.

Legal consequences. Homeowners who knowingly allow unregistered individuals to carry out gas or notifiable electrical work may themselves face legal liability, particularly if an incident occurs.

Insurance implications. Most home insurance policies contain clauses requiring that work be carried out by qualified professionals. If a fire or flood results from unregistered gas or electrical work, your insurer may refuse to pay out.

Property sale complications. When you sell your home, solicitors will request documentation for any work carried out — including electrical and gas certificates. Missing paperwork can delay or even derail a sale.

Safety risks. The most serious consequence of all. Faulty gas work causes carbon monoxide poisoning and explosions. Faulty electrical work causes fires. These risks are very real and very preventable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Do handymen need a licence to work in the UK?

There is no single, universal handyman licence required in the UK. A handyman can legally offer and carry out a wide range of general maintenance and repair services — painting, carpentry, furniture assembly, tiling, minor plumbing, and more — without any formal licence. However, once work crosses into regulated trades such as gas installations, notifiable electrical work, or structural modifications, specific certifications become legally mandatory. These include Gas Safe registration for any gas work and Part P competent person registration for notifiable electrical work in England and Wales. At Fix in London, our team is appropriately qualified for every type of work we undertake, and we are always transparent about what falls within and outside of our scope.

Q2: How can I verify that a tradesperson is Gas Safe registered?

Verifying Gas Safe registration is straightforward. Every registered engineer carries an official Gas Safe ID card displaying their registration number, their employer’s details, and — crucially — the types of gas appliances they are qualified to work on. You should always ask to see this card before allowing any gas work to begin. You can also verify any engineer independently and for free at the official Gas Safe Register website: gassaferegister.co.uk. Simply enter the engineer’s licence number or the company name to confirm their registration is current and valid. Never accept verbal assurances alone — always check the official register.

Q3: Can a handyman legally do electrical work in the UK?

A handyman can legally carry out certain minor, non-notifiable electrical tasks — such as replacing a like-for-like socket or light switch (not in a kitchen or bathroom), changing a light fitting, or installing a doorbell. However, notifiable electrical work — including installing new circuits, replacing consumer units, or any electrical work in kitchens and bathrooms — must be carried out by a registered member of a Part P competent person scheme (such as NICEIC or NAPIT) or be notified to and inspected by the local building authority. Attempting notifiable work without the correct registration is a breach of the Building Regulations and can have serious legal and insurance implications. Fix in London only carries out electrical tasks that fall within the legal scope of general handyman work.

Q4: What insurance should a handyman have before working on my property?

While no specific insurance is legally mandated for general handyman work, any reputable professional should carry — at minimum — public liability insurance. This protects you as the homeowner if the handyman accidentally causes damage to your property or injures someone during the course of the work. Coverage of at least £1 million is standard; many professional services carry £2 million or more. Additionally, look for employers’ liability insurance if the company employs multiple people. Fix in London carries comprehensive public liability insurance on all jobs, and we are happy to provide proof of cover upon request. Never hire a tradesperson who cannot demonstrate that they are properly insured.

Final Thoughts: Licence Requirements Are There to Protect You

Understanding handyman licence requirements in the UK isn’t just about ticking regulatory boxes — it’s about protecting your home, your family, your finances, and your legal standing as a property owner. The UK’s trade certification framework, while complex, exists for very good reasons.

The bottom line is this: for general maintenance and repair work, a licence isn’t required — but quality, experience, and insurance absolutely are. For regulated trades like gas, electrical, and structural work, the relevant certifications are not optional — they are the law.

When you book with Fix in London, you’re choosing a handyman service that understands and respects every layer of this regulatory landscape. We work within the rules, we are transparent about our scope, and we always put the safety and satisfaction of our customers first.

Whether you need a shelf put up, a bathroom retiled, a door rehung, or a full list of household repairs sorted in a single day — Fix in London is here to help, professionally and properly.

Fix in London — London’s Trusted Handyman Service 📞 Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote 🌐 fixinlondon.co.uk

 ⭐ Hundreds of five-star reviews across London

Read more: Handyman Hacks to Save Time & Money