Kelso · Scottish Borders
Starting a Handyman Business in Kelso
A straight answer on the four boundaries, insurance and your first clients around Kelso and Scottish Borders.
Open the Handyman Business Launch Kit to see everything included — £22Starting a handyman business in Kelso? The trade itself is wide open legally, but four specific activities are strictly off-limits without the right registration. Here's what to know before working around Scottish Borders.
What the rules say
No licence, registration or protected title governs the handyman trade in the UK. What the law does restrict is four specific activities: gas work, which must go to a Gas Safe registered engineer (doing it yourself is a criminal offence); notifiable electrical work, which needs a registered competent person or building control sign-off; structural work on load-bearing elements, which needs Building Regulations approval; and handling suspected asbestos in pre-2000 buildings, which should never be drilled, sanded or removed. Everything else -- general repairs, assembly, carpentry, decorating -- is entirely lawful with no qualification needed.
Note for Kelso: Scotland has its own separate building standards system rather than the England & Wales Part P regime -- check the Scottish Building Standards guidance for the notifiable/non-notifiable line before taking on electrical work.
Quick answers
Can a handyman in Kelso do electrical or plumbing work?
Simple like-for-like minor work is generally fine, but notifiable electrical work -- new circuits, consumer unit changes, any work in a kitchen or bathroom -- must go through a registered competent person or building control, whether you're working in Kelso or anywhere else in the UK.
How do I find my first handyman clients in Kelso?
Many handymen in Kelso start with flat-pack assembly and small repair jobs sourced through local referrals, community groups and word-of-mouth, building up to larger regular clients over time.
Do I need insurance to start a handyman business in Kelso?
Public liability insurance isn't a legal requirement for a sole trader, but it's strongly recommended given the range of jobs involved, across Kelso and Scottish Borders. Employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement once you employ any staff.
Can a handyman in Kelso remove a load-bearing wall?
No -- structural work such as removing or altering a load-bearing wall needs Building Regulations approval and typically a structural engineer's calculations, wherever you're working, including Kelso. A handyman should refer this on rather than attempt it.