Guide
Licensed Electrician or Handyman? What Singapore Law Requires for Electrical and Plumbing Work
When you need an EMA Licensed Electrical Worker or a PUB Licensed Plumber in Singapore, what a handyman can legally do, and how to verify a licence in under two minutes.
Your kitchen power point has stopped working, or the bathroom tap won’t stop dripping. The quickest option is often a handyman who can come this afternoon. But for some jobs in Singapore, using someone who isn’t properly licensed isn’t just risky; it isn’t allowed.
This guide explains which jobs need a licensed professional, what handymen can safely do, and how to check a licence before anyone starts work.
Quick answer: electrical installation work (wiring, new power points, distribution board changes) must be done by an EMA Licensed Electrical Worker. Water service work (pipes, meters and water heaters connected to the supply) must be done by a PUB Licensed Plumber. Handymen can handle many small, non-regulated tasks, but not these.
Why licensing matters
Licensing exists for safety. Faulty electrical work can cause fires and electric shocks. Faulty plumbing can contaminate the water supply, cause flooding and damage neighbouring units. Licensed professionals have demonstrated training and are accountable to a regulator if their work is unsafe.
There is also a practical reason: if something goes wrong after unlicensed work, you may find it harder to make an insurance claim or resolve a dispute.
Electrical work: the Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW)
In Singapore, electrical installation work must be carried out or supervised by a Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW) licensed by the Energy Market Authority (EMA).
Jobs that need an LEW
- Adding, moving or replacing power points and light points
- Rewiring part or all of your home
- Changing or upgrading the distribution board (DB box), circuit breakers or RCCB
- Installing wiring for water heaters, ovens, induction hobs and aircon units
- Diagnosing recurring power trips at the circuit level
Jobs a handyman can usually do
- Changing a light bulb or replacing a plug-in lamp
- Mounting a TV bracket (with care to avoid concealed wiring)
- Assembling furniture and appliances that plug into existing sockets
If a job involves opening up wiring, it is LEW territory.
How to verify an LEW
Ask the electrician for their LEW licence number, then check it using the public search on the EMA website. The check takes a minute or two, and a genuine professional will not mind.
Plumbing work: the PUB Licensed Plumber
Water service work in Singapore must be carried out by a PUB Licensed Plumber. PUB, Singapore’s national water agency, maintains a public list of licensed plumbers.
Jobs that need a licensed plumber
- Installing, replacing or relocating water pipes
- Replacing or installing water heaters connected to the supply
- Work involving the water meter or supply connection
- Replacing taps and mixers where pipework is altered
Jobs that are commonly handled without a licence
- Clearing a choked sink or floor trap
- Replacing a toilet seat or flush handle
- Replacing a shower head or hose
When in doubt, ask whether the job touches the water supply pipework. If it does, use a licensed plumber.
How to verify a plumber
Ask for the plumber’s PUB licence number and check it against the list of licensed plumbers on the PUB website.
Other licences worth knowing
| Job | Who you need | Regulator |
|---|---|---|
| Gas appliance and gas pipe work | Licensed Gas Service Worker | EMA |
| Window installation and replacement | Approved Window Contractor | BCA |
| HDB renovation works | Contractor on the Directory of Renovation Contractors | HDB |
| Pest control treatment | Licensed pest control operator | NEA |
What to ask before any electrical or plumbing job
- “Are you licensed for this work, and what is your licence number?”
- “What is your call-out or inspection fee, and is it waived if I proceed?”
- “Can you give me a written quote before you start?”
- “What warranty do you give on parts and workmanship?”
- “Are there after-hours or public holiday surcharges?”
Red flags
- Refusing to give a licence number, or getting defensive when asked
- Quoting a price only after work has started
- Suggesting you “don’t need a licence for something this small” for wiring or pipework
- Insisting on full payment upfront
The bottom line
A handyman is excellent value for small, non-regulated jobs, and you should use one for those. But for wiring, power points, DB boxes, water pipes and water heaters, a licensed professional is both the safe choice and the legally correct one. Checking a licence takes less time than making a cup of kopi.
Need someone now? Compare our shortlists of the best electricians in Singapore, the best plumbers in Singapore and handyman services for the smaller jobs.
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