Single Women on Hinge: The Handyman Hack

In a twist on traditional dating, Gen Z women are turning to the popular app Hinge to find their ideal "handyman" match. But it's not just about finding someone to fix things around the house – it's about finding someone who can build, create, and problem-solve with them.

According to experts, this trend taps into a post-pandemic shift where women are looking for utility in their relationships, rather than just chemistry. By listing themselves as "won over" by a man who can help with furniture installation or home repairs, these women are essentially saying they want someone who can impress them through action, not just words.

One woman, Storm Halestrap, 24, of Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn, found herself at the center of this trend. She posted a cheeky video on social media showing her Hinge match assembling a wooden table with a drill – and it was revealed that the man featured in the video is actually her current boyfriend.

Halestrap told The Post that she had multiple successes meeting service-minded suitors on Hinge, including one finance bro who offered to buy her all the plants she needed for her dark, tiny bedroom. Another guy zeroed in on her bare bedroom walls and immediately offered to hang her frames – even insisting on buying nails and a lamp to brighten the space.

Experts say that this trend mimics traditional dynamics, where the man fixes, the woman asks for help. "The men get to impress through action – not just words – and show off problem-solving skills right from the jump," says Dr. Jennifer Gunsaullus, a sociologist and founder of The Center for Courageous Intimacy.

The stories are popping up all over TikTok, with allegedly satisfied users showing off everything from built bed frames to hung cabinets. And after a Post reporter added a call for shelf-and-curtain-rod removal to their own Hinge profile, offers of help came hammering in – with get-it-done guys declaring their willingness to work before, during or after a date.

"I think this trend is super cute and nice to know that the guys want to help out," says Teana Heys, 23, of Seattle. "It shows that they're a good sport about it and the kind of person they are."

But while relationship expert Gunsaullus applauded the "authentic" nature of the DIY dates, calling them "refreshing," she warned that there are risks involved. "Letting someone into your home on a first date is serious. You should ask yourself: Do I really trust this person?"

Gunsaullus also raised concerns about men feeling exploited, particularly if they're unaware they're being filmed for social media clout. "I would hate for a man to just feel used … like he was handy and social media fodder," she said.

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