A handyman handles assembly, hanging things, painting, small carpentry and repairs around the home. Fixed work in a home you own earns a 30 percent ROT deduction, while assembling free-standing furniture normally does not. Here is what they do, where the line to electrical and plumbing runs, and which jobs actually qualify.
What a handyman does
Inside the home
- Assembling fittings, wardrobes and kitchen units
- Hanging pictures, shelves, TVs and curtain rails
- Painting and wallpapering
- Replacing skirting boards and architraves
- Replacing doors, door handles and locks
- Laying and replacing flooring
- Small carpentry and custom-built solutions
- Small repairs, from a sticking door to a broken cabinet hinge
Outdoors
- Decking, terraces and fences
- Painting façades and windows
- Replacing boards and general upkeep
Which jobs qualify for ROT?
The ROT deduction is 30 percent of the labour cost in 2026, up to 50,000 SEK per person per year, and applies only in a home you own (Skatteverket).
Qualifies:
- Carpentry, painting and wallpapering
- Replacing floors, skirting and doors
- Anything built into a wall or floor, such as a fitted wardrobe
- Decking, terraces and fences attached to the property
Does not qualify:
- Materials: paint, timber, flooring and fittings
- Call-out fees and waste removal
- Any work in a rented home
- New construction, and rebuilding or extending in the first five years after the house's värdeår (repair and maintenance qualify at any age)
Furniture assembly: the line people get wrong
Assembling free-standing furniture normally does not qualify for ROT, because it is not construction work.
If the assembly happens as part of a move, however, it counts as a moving service and earns the RUT deduction at 50 percent instead. If the handyman builds a wardrobe or shelving into the wall, that is ROT.
So the line is not "furniture or not" but whether something is built in, and in what context the work happens. Confirm with the company in advance how they will classify your job, and ask them to state it on the quote.
Where the line to electrical and plumbing runs
A handyman may not do fixed electrical or plumbing work.
- Fixed electrical installation requires a company registered with Elsäkerhetsverket
- Wet-room plumbing must follow the industry rules, or insurance can be reduced after water damage (Säker Vatten)
A kitchen or bathroom renovation therefore usually needs several trades. Ask how the company coordinates that, and who carries overall responsibility. A firm that says they "do everything" without mentioning certified subcontractors deserves a follow-up question.
Before you book
- Describe the job clearly, ideally with photos and measurements. Better information means a more accurate quote.
- Ask for a written quote with labour and materials on separate lines
- Check F-skatt, or the ROT deduction is lost
- Ask about liability insurance and what happens if something is damaged
- Agree who buys materials and who is responsible for them
Bostadsrätt: ask the association first
If you own an apartment you often need the board's permission, particularly for:
- Work affecting walls, floors and ceilings
- Any work in wet rooms
- Changes affecting ventilation or risers
Check the association's rules before work starts. Undoing something afterwards costs more than asking beforehand, and you get no ROT deduction for work the association is responsible for.
Common questions
What can a handyman help with?
Assembly, hanging pictures, shelves and TVs, painting and wallpapering, replacing skirting and door handles, small carpentry, decking and fences.
Which jobs qualify for ROT?
Fixed work in a home you own: carpentry, painting, replacing floors and skirting, and anything built in. 30 percent of the labour in 2026.
Does furniture assembly qualify for ROT?
Free-standing furniture normally does not. As part of a move it counts as a moving service and earns RUT instead.
Can a handyman do electrical and plumbing work?
No. Electrical requires a company registered with Elsäkerhetsverket, and wet-room plumbing must follow the industry rules.
What should I sort out before booking?
Describe the job with photos and measurements, ask for a written quote, and check F-skatt and insurance.
Do I need permission from the housing association?
In a bostadsrätt often yes, especially for walls, floors and wet rooms.
Related guides: handyman cost and ROT, the ROT deduction and kitchen renovation. Back to handyman in Stockholm.