Home and building,
the right trade first.
From a dripping tap to an extension, find the trade that fits the job, check what they can show, and agree the price before work starts.
What is
covered.
Most home jobs go wrong for one of two reasons: the wrong trade turns up, or the job was not described clearly. A handyman is ideal for a list of small fixes but should not touch gas. A builder can take on an extension but you may still need an electrician to sign off the wiring.
Some work is regulated. Gas work must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. In England and Wales, notifiable electrical work under Part P must be done by an electrician registered with a competent person scheme, such as NICEIC or NAPIT, or signed off by building control.
On AYS Concierge you search by service and postcode and see trades who cover your area. Standard jobs, like replacing a tap or painting a room, can have a fixed price shown before you book. Leaks, roofs, rewires and building work are usually quoted, often after a visit. Quotes are free and there is no obligation.
Choose
your service.
6 services in home and building. Each page explains what is covered, how pricing works and how to get ready.
Handyman
Choose a handyman for a mixed list of small jobs: flat pack, shelves, TV mounting, sealant, door adjustments and minor repairs. List everything with photos and put it in order of priority. A good handyman will tell you when part of the list needs a specialist trade instead.
Plumbing
Choose a plumber for leaks, taps, toilets, radiators and pipework. If the job involves a gas boiler, gas fire, cooker or gas pipe, the engineer must be Gas Safe registered for that appliance. Many plumbers are, but not all, so check their Gas Safe ID card.
Electrician
Choose an electrician for sockets, lighting, fault finding, EICRs and consumer units. New circuits, consumer unit changes and some bathroom work are notifiable in England and Wales. Ask which competent person scheme the electrician belongs to, and keep the certificate they give you afterwards.
Roofing
Choose a roofer for slipped tiles, cracked ridges, flat roofs, leaks, chimneys and gutters that need repairing rather than just clearing. Send photos taken from the ground. Access is often the biggest factor in the price, so ask how they plan to work at height safely.
Painting and decorating
Choose a painter and decorator for rooms, woodwork, wallpaper and exteriors. Most of a good finish is preparation, so ask how they fill, sand and seal. Fix any leak or damp before painting, and agree who buys the paint so nobody waits on a trip to the shop.
Building and construction
Choose a builder for extensions, structural changes, brickwork, garden walls and patios. Larger work is quoted, usually after a site visit. Planning permission, building regulations and, in England and Wales, a party wall agreement may apply, so check with your local council early.
Handyman, specialist or builder
Start with the size and risk of the job. Small, unregulated fixes suit a handyman, especially several at once. Anything involving gas, new electrical circuits or the structure of the house needs the specialist trade, even if it looks quick. If a job spans trades, such as a new bathroom, ask the main trade who they will bring in and who signs off each part.
Describe the job well. Add photos, measurements, the age of the property and what you have already tried. Say if you suspect asbestos in old garage sheeting or lead in old paint, as that changes how the work is done.
When you compare quotes, check they cover the same things: materials, waste, access equipment and making good. Look at what each trade shows on their profile. We ask for insurance and qualifications, and trades can show Gas Safe registration or competent person scheme membership, which you can check on the public registers.
Can a handyman do plumbing or electrical work?
Some small, non-notifiable jobs may be fine for an experienced handyman, such as fitting a new tap washer. Gas work must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer. In England and Wales, notifiable electrical work like a new circuit must be done by a registered electrician or signed off by building control. If in doubt, book the specialist.
Do I need permission for building or roof work?
Small repairs usually do not. Extensions, changes to the shape of a roof and replacing a large part of it may need planning permission, building regulations approval or both. Listed buildings and conservation areas have extra rules, and Scotland uses a building warrant. Check with your local council before work starts.
What paperwork should I get after the job?
It depends on the trade. After electrical work you should get an Electrical Installation Certificate or a Minor Works Certificate, and for notifiable work a Building Regulations compliance certificate. For building work, keep any building control completion certificate. Buyers and insurers may ask for them.
Why are bigger home jobs quoted rather than fixed price?
Because the trade cannot price what they cannot see. A hidden leak, rotten roof timbers or poor ground under an extension all change the work. A quote lets them look at your photos or visit first. Ask what is excluded and how unexpected problems will be priced, so the final bill is not a surprise.
How quickly can a trade come out?
It depends on who is free in your area. Bookings can be made from 2 hours ahead up to 90 days ahead. For bigger projects, booking early helps, as building work often needs a visit, a quote and approvals before it starts.
Helpful
guides.
Home and buildingDo you need planning permission for an extension?
Not always. Many modest extensions to houses can be built under permitted development rights without a planning application, but strict size limits apply, and flats, listed buildings and conservation areas are treated differently.
Read the guideHome and buildingHow to check a tradesperson before you hire them
Check the right register for the job, ask for proof of insurance, get at least three written quotes, agree the work in writing and never say yes on the doorstep.
Read the guide
Home and buildingSigns your roof needs repair: what to look for inside and out
Look for damp patches on ceilings, daylight or wet timber in the loft, slipped or missing tiles, cracked ridge mortar and overflowing gutters. Check from the ground and the loft, never from the roof.
Read the guide
Work in home and building?
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