A handyman business has no single statutory registration in South Africa, so anyone can start one. The catch is the legal boundary lines: there is regulated work you may not touch or certify without the proper registration, and crossing those lines can void a homeowner's insurance and land you with a criminal offence. Stay inside your scope, refer the regulated work to the right registered trade, and you have a solid, low-barrier business.
The boundary lines you may not cross
This is the most important thing to get right. Certain work is regulated and needs a registered person and a Certificate of Compliance, often shortened to CoC.
- Electrical work. You may not perform or certify any electrical installation, or issue a CoC. Only a person registered with the Department of Employment and Labour (the DEL), under the Electrical Installation Regulations 2009 made under the OHS Act, may do that. The OHS Act is the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993. Changing a light fitting without isolating the distribution board and without a CoC can put you in violation if you modify the installation.
- Plumbing work. You may do minor maintenance such as replacing a tap washer or unblocking a drain, but you may not install or certify plumbing systems. Where a plumbing CoC is required, for example in the City of Cape Town, it must be issued by a plumber registered with the Plumbing Industry Registration Board, the PIRB.
- Gas work. You may not touch any liquefied petroleum gas or natural gas installation or appliance. All gas work needs a practitioner registered with SAQCC Gas, the South African Qualification and Certification Committee for Gas. Unregistered gas work voids home insurance and is a criminal offence under the OHS Act.
- Electric fence work. You may not issue an Electric Fence Certificate, the EFC, or perform installation or alteration. That needs Electric Fence System Installer registration with the DEL.
The DEL has stated plainly that under no circumstances may a registered contractor issue a CoC on behalf of an unregistered individual, and that doing so is a criminal offence. So you cannot borrow someone else's certificate.
How to set up
There is no licence to apply for, but a clean setup helps you win work and stay compliant.
- Register a company and open a business bank account so your money is separate.
- Decide which regulated trades you will refer out and build relationships with a registered electrician, plumber and gas practitioner you trust.
- If you employ staff, register with the Compensation Fund under COIDA, the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act 130 of 1993.
Pricing models
Three common pricing structures work for handyman businesses in South Africa, and all figures are estimates.
- Hourly rate: around R400 to R800 an hour. This suits reactive call-outs and jobs where the scope is uncertain.
- Day rate: around R1,500 to R3,000 a day for a skilled handyman, comparable to skilled artisan rates.
- Fixed-price maintenance contract: a monthly retainer of around R500 to R3,000 for a property portfolio or estate, which gives you cash-flow certainty.
A call-out fee of around R250 to R500 to cover travel is standard and acceptable under the Consumer Protection Act.
Insurance you should carry
At a minimum, carry:
- Public liability insurance, covering third-party injury and property damage from your work. SA providers include Santam, Hollard and Outsurance, plus specialist trade-insurance brokers. R1 million is a minimum, with R2 million to R5 million recommended. Get current quotes, because premiums for this trade move and cannot be reliably estimated without insurer figures.
- Tools and equipment insurance, covering theft or damage on-site or from the vehicle.
Important: most home insurance policies invalidate claims where unlicensed people did regulated work. If you work outside your scope and a fire or flood follows, the homeowner can have their claim rejected. That is a major liability for both of you, which is exactly why the boundary lines matter.
Kit and start-up costs (estimates)
All figures below are estimates.
- A power drill and driver combo: around R2,500 to R5,000.
- A jigsaw and circular saw: around R2,000 to R5,000.
- Basic plumbing tools (tap spanner, basin wrench): around R1,500 to R3,000.
- A 3-metre aluminium ladder: around R1,500 to R3,000.
- A level, measuring tape, hammer and chisel set: around R1,000 to R2,000.
- A bakkie or vehicle: around R80,000 to R200,000, or hire.
- Personal protective equipment (hard hat, safety boots, gloves, glasses): around R1,500 to R2,500.
- Company registration and bank account: around R1,500 to R3,000.
- Public liability insurance: get quotes from providers such as Santam and Hollard.
What you can charge (estimates)
The pricing models above are your guide. As your turnover grows past R2.3 million in any 12-month period, VAT registration becomes compulsory. That threshold took effect on 1 April 2026.
Common mistakes
- Doing regulated work yourself. Electrical, gas, plumbing certification and electric fence work all need a registered person. Refer them out.
- Borrowing a CoC. A registered contractor may not certify work an unregistered person did. It is a criminal offence.
- Working without public liability cover. One claim can sink you. Get cover before you start.
- Voiding the client's insurance. Unlicensed regulated work can see a homeowner's claim rejected after a fire or flood, leaving both of you exposed.
- Not charging a call-out fee. It is standard and acceptable under the CPA, so factor your travel in.
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