New-generation handymen get smart in the home

Fuad Basarahil, 44, founder of Mr Fixit, employs three Singaporeans age 25 to 45 on a freelance basis. They help him provide services such as carpentry, plumbing and electrical work.

His company charges about 30 Singapore dollars ($22.60) to replace a bulb and around S$90 to change a water tap.

"I want to give Singaporeans a chance to learn the trade, rather than have to deal with filling in endless paperwork to get a foreign worker," he said.

"Young Singaporeans always look for greener pastures and easier work with more pay. Only those who are 'hungry' to learn the trade will stay, and they are usually older, more mature workers."

He added that traditional services such as clearing a clogged pipe or repairing a leaking toilet are not for the faint-hearted.

"You have to think on your feet. For example, when removing a screw, and the screw head breaks, what then? You cannot use the screwdriver in your toolkit, so you have to think around the problem－fast."

Basarahil said being a handyman also means not specializing in any one task, which enables him and his team to accept more jobs each day.

"We do everything, from minor electrical and plumbing work to carpentry and installing flat-packed furniture and items bought online. You could say we are the after-sales service crew for interior designers and contractors when they have finished their projects," he said.