A handyman (abbr. HNDMN), also known as a fixer, handyperson, handyworker, maintenance worker, repair worker, or repair technician, is a person who is skilled at a wide range of repairs, typically for the purpose of maintaining buildings, shops, or equipment in a state of good repair within the home. These tasks encompass a range of skills, including trade work, repair, maintenance, and both interior and exterior work. They are sometimes referred to as “side work,” “odd jobs,” or “fix-up tasks.” Examples of these tasks include light plumbing work such as fixing a leaky toilet or light electric work such as changing a light fixture or bulb.
The term “handyman” is increasingly used to describe a paid worker, but it also encompasses non-paid homeowners or do-it-yourselfers. The term “handyman” is also occasionally applied as an adjective to describe politicians or business leaders who implement significant organizational changes, such as restructuring a business or administrative division.
A handyman constructed this mailbox from particle board, with hinges and exterior paint; the rounded edges were created with a sander.
Many individuals possess the ability to perform common household repairs. There are numerous resources on the Internet and in do-it-yourself guidebooks that provide instructions on how to complete a wide range of projects. In some cases, the ability to complete such projects is perceived as being genetic, and individuals lacking such skills are said to “lack the handyman gene.” One trend is that fewer homeowners are inclined to perform fix-up jobs, possibly due to time constraints or a lack of interest. One reporter commented, “My family’s fix-it gene petered out before it reached my generation.”
Historically in Canada, the occupation of a handyman was regarded as less prestigious than that of a specialist, such as a plumber, electrician, or carpenter. The advent of large national chains has prompted efforts to alter the public perception of the trade, emphasizing the professionalism of the handyman and the technician’s multifaceted skills and extensive knowledge base. In certain instances, handyman tools have proven to be useful in contexts that were not originally intended. For instance, in 2009, an Australian doctor utilized a handyman’s drill to create a hole in the head of a 13-year-old boy in order to relieve pressure on the brain after the boy had suffered a brain injury. The use of this tool ultimately saved the boy’s life.