Finding a handyman in Accra who turns up, fixes the job properly and charges what was agreed is harder than it should be. Most bad experiences come from the same few things: a vague price, no record of the work, and nobody to come back to when it fails again.
This guide gives you ten checks to make before you hire anyone for repairs, whether you own your home, rent it or manage it for someone else. It takes about five minutes to run through them, and it can save you weeks of frustration.
In this guide
- What a handyman does, and when you need a specialist
- 10 things to check before you hire
- Red flags that usually mean trouble
- What booking through us looks like
- If you let out a property or live abroad
- Frequently asked questions
What a handyman does, and when you need a specialist
A good handyman handles the many small and medium jobs a home needs: fixing a leaking tap, replacing a lock, hanging a door, repainting a room, re-grouting tiles, mounting a TV, installing a washing machine or putting a wardrobe together. Many of these jobs cross several trades, which is exactly why a single reliable person or team is so useful.
Some work needs a specialist or a larger team. Rebuilding a wall, an extension or a full renovation is a building project, not a repair. Indoor electrical wiring is also regulated in Ghana (more on that below). If you are not sure which kind of job you have, describe it and ask. A good provider will tell you honestly when a job is outside what they should do.
10 things to check before you hire
- Ask exactly what is included. “Fix the bathroom” is not a scope. “Replace the cistern fill valve, re-seal the basin and re-grout two wall tiles” is. Ask for the work to be described in writing so you both know what “done” means.
- Get the price in writing before work starts. For a job that is clear (hang a door, mount a TV), you should get one price up front. For a fault that needs diagnosing (a leak you cannot find, a circuit that keeps tripping), expect an inspection first and a price after. Be wary of anyone who starts work with no price at all.
- Ask who is actually coming. You should know the name and phone number of the person who will arrive, and be able to recognise them. This matters for your safety and for follow-up.
- Check certification where the law asks for it. Under Ghana’s Energy Commission regulations, indoor electrical wiring work is for Certified Electrical Wiring Professionals. Ask to see proof for any wiring work. Our electrical safety guide explains more.
- Be clear about materials. Who buys them, what brand or grade, and what happens to unused items? Ask for receipts. If you are asked to pay in advance for materials, agree the amount and keep the receipts.
- Agree timing and access. Agree a day and a time window, who will let the team in, and whether water or power must be switched off. Good providers tell you in advance instead of surprising you on the day.
- Know how you will pay, and keep a record. Avoid cash-only arrangements with no receipt. Paying through a secure online method gives you a record of what you paid and when.
- Ask what happens if the problem comes back. Nobody can promise a repair will last forever, but a professional will tell you plainly how they handle a repeat visit. If the answer is a shrug, take note.
- Look for proof of similar work. Ask for before-and-after photos of a similar job, or for someone you know who used them. A genuine provider is happy to show recent work.
- Protect your home and belongings. Agree that furniture will be covered, dust and waste cleared away, and the area left tidy. Take your own photos before and after the job.
Red flags that usually mean trouble
- No price, or a price that changes as soon as work begins with no explanation.
- Pressure to pay everything up front in cash.
- Different people turning up each time, with no way to reach the person who did the work.
- Reluctance to put the scope or price in writing, or to give a receipt.
- A “quick fix” suggested for something that affects safety, such as electrics or gas.
- No interest in finding the cause. A patch over a damp wall or a leak that does not stop the source tends to come back.
What booking through us looks like
The Accra Handyman has been serving customers in Accra since 2018. We built our process around the checks above. You choose a service on our online booking page and tell us what needs doing and where. We send you one clear written quote and you approve it before any work begins. You pay securely online, your receipts are kept for you, and you can follow progress and messages for every job in your account.
You can see everything we cover on our services page: plumbing, electrical, air conditioning, carpentry, painting, tiling, masonry, cleaning, appliance installation, furniture installation and general repairs. If you would rather talk first, contact us and tell us about the job.
If you let out a property or live abroad
Managing repairs for a rental, or for a home you are not there to look after, adds another challenge: you cannot be present. The same checks apply, and you should add one more: a clear way to approve quotes and see proof of the finished work without being on site. Our services page explains the products we offer for landlords and for owners living abroad.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a handyman cost in Accra?
It depends on the job, the materials, the size of the work and where you are, so any single figure would be a guess. The reliable answer is a written quote for your exact job before work starts. Describe the job, ask for the price in writing and compare like with like.
Is it safe to let a handyman into my home?
Treat it like any other hire. Know the name and number of the person coming, agree the job in advance and, where you can, have someone at home. Providers who run a clear booking process and keep records for you make this easier.
Should I buy the materials myself?
You can, but it is often simpler for the provider to buy them so everything matches the job. Whichever way you choose, agree it in advance, ask for receipts and make sure unused materials are accounted for.
Can a handyman do electrical work?
Small, safe tasks like fitting a light shade are different from wiring. Indoor electrical wiring work is regulated in Ghana and is meant for certified professionals, so ask for proof of certification before any wiring is touched.