Every home has a list of small jobs that never quite get done. Some of them are genuinely easy. Others can damage a wall, a pipe or a cable if they go wrong. This is a practical guide to which is which.
Tightening loose handles and hinges
Do it yourself. A screwdriver and five minutes is all it takes, and it stops the screw holes wearing out.
Replacing a shower head or hose
Do it yourself. They unscrew by hand. Wrap the thread with plumber's tape so it does not drip.
Hanging a light picture
Do it yourself, using the right wall plug for the wall. Before drilling, check for pipes and cables, which usually run straight up, down or across from sockets, switches and taps.
Mounting a television
Call a handyman. The bracket must be fixed into solid wall with the correct fixings. A TV that comes down is dangerous and expensive.
Putting up heavy shelves or mirrors
Call a handyman. The weight, the wall type and the fixings all matter, and plasterboard needs special anchors.
Assembling flat-pack furniture
Either. Small items are fine. Large wardrobes and beds are quicker and sturdier when done by someone who builds them every week.
Fixing a sticking door
Call a handyman if tightening the hinges does not solve it. Planing a door without the right tools usually leaves it worse.
Hanging curtain rails
Call a handyman for wide windows or heavy curtains. The brackets carry more weight than most people expect.
Resealing a bath or sink
Either. It is not difficult, but the old silicone must be removed completely and the surface must be dry for the new seal to last.
Anything electrical beyond changing a bulb
Call a professional. Sockets, switches and light fittings should be handled by a qualified electrician.
