Can a handyman do electrical work?

Simple swaps like a light fitting are often done by handymen, but anything involving the consumer unit, new circuits or certification should go to a qualified electrician.

How to Find a Licensed Electrician in Portugal

Why it matters

Bad electrical work causes fires, voids insurance claims and can fail inspections when you sell or rent your home. A few minutes of checking saves a lot of trouble.

What to check

Professional registration. Electricians who sign off installations are registered as technicians with the relevant body. Ask for their registration and check it.
A registered business. Ask for the company name and NIF and whether they issue an invoice (fatura).
Insurance. Ask if they hold liability insurance covering damage caused during work.
Reviews and track record. Look for recent reviews mentioning similar jobs.
A written quote. It should list the work, materials and whether IVA is included.

Questions to ask on the phone

Have you done this type of job before? Can you show photos?
Can you issue a certificate for this work if needed?
What is the call-out fee and hourly rate?
How long is your work guaranteed for?

Red flags

Cash only, no invoice.
Unwilling to give a written quote.
Pressure to replace everything immediately without explaining why.
No fixed business name or address.

Where to look

Start with businesses whose details have been verified, and compare at least two. On Quick Fixes you can see which listings have been claimed by the owner and when their details were last checked.