Home Office: what a handyman does
Home office fixes center on a stable desk, safe cords and sturdy wall storage. A handyman can assemble desks and shelving, mount shelves and monitor arms into studs, organize cords outside the wall and patch the wall behind the desk. New circuits, outlets and in-wall wiring go to licensed electricians.
Jobs we take on
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- Assemble desks, standing desks, file cabinets and bookcases
- Anchor tall bookcases and file cabinets to the wall
- Mount floating desks, wall shelves and monitor arms into studs
- Install under-desk cord trays, clips and sleeves
- Fit paintable cord covers on the wall, with cords kept outside the wall
- Hang whiteboards, pegboards and corkboards
- Hang acoustic panels and curtains or blinds for video calls
- Install a privacy lock or new knob on the office door
- Patch and paint wall scuffs where the chair meets the wall
Signs it is time to call
- A desk that wobbles or a shelf that sags under books
- Cords across the floor that you trip over
- A power strip packed full, or one with paper stacked against it
- A monitor arm or wall shelf that has begun to pull out of the wall
- Plugs or outlets that feel warm, which means stop and call an electrician
What is not a handyman job
Adding outlets or circuits and running power or data cable inside walls are electrical work for licensed independent contractors. Warm plugs, scorch marks and tripping breakers need an electrician right away. Custom built-in desks and cabinetry, and converting a room by changing walls or windows, are out of scope.
Plumbing, electrical and roofing go to licensed independent contractors.
What a visit looks like
- We confirm the scope from your photos before the visit
- We confirm the current rate before work starts
- We protect floors and equipment while we work
- We clean up packaging and debris when we finish
Common questions
How do I hide desk cords safely?
HGTV's professional organizer says never to use staples or nails to secure cords on a wall. Safer options are under-desk trays, clips, sleeves and paintable wall covers, with the cords kept outside the wall. Labeling each cord at the base also makes it easy to trace later.
How many things can I plug into one power strip?
Follow the instructions that came with your surge protector, which say how many cords it can safely take. HGTV's organizer also advises keeping paper away from the strip and replacing frayed cords. If you simply need more outlets, that is a job for a licensed electrician.
Will a wall-mounted desk or shelf hold my equipment?
When fastened into studs, usually yes. As a general rule, studs hold far more than drywall anchors, and heavy loads on drywall need metal toggle anchors rated for the weight. Tell us the desk size and what it will carry, and we will check the wall before we mount anything.
Can you set up a motorized standing desk?
We assemble the frame, top and cable tray. If the motor, control box or wiring fails, that is a repair matter for the manufacturer. We can mount the desk near an outlet, but we do not open or rewire the electrical parts.