Mark Falvai is a handy guy to have around the house. But you don't have to take the word of friends and family who have had the 38-year-old Qualicum Beach resident work on projects around their homes.

Falvai is a finalist in the HGTV reality series Canada's Handyman Challenge. In tonight's show, Falvai's skills are pitted against those of 11 other handymen - including one handywoman - from across Canada. He just might emerge as Canada's top handyman.

The contestants are given time-limited tasks to complete every week, with the lowest-scoring ones eliminated from the competition. The show concludes with the crowning of Canada's top handyman Feb. 21.

At the end of the first episode Jan. 31, four of the original dozen hopefuls were eliminated, but Falvai is still in the running.

"You have to be creative in this competition and that's where I have an advantage," says Falvai, whose accomplishments include remodelling "every inch" of his 1970s-era house.

"I try to add a little pizzazz to my project. I'm hoping my creativity gives me the edge over other contestants."

Contestants are given the same materials to construct a project, and are free to complete it in whatever manner they wish.

At the end of the time limit, each project is evaluated by a panel of celebrity judges, including Mike Holmes, Scott McGillivray and Bryan Baeumler.

Falvai is self-taught in the trades and is comfortable with wiring, plumbing, painting and stucco. He's also well known in his community. Every time somebody invites him for dinner, he fully expects them to ask for help with a project.

The show was recorded last July but Falvai is tight-lipped about the eventual winner.

"It's an excuse to have my friends over to the house for a big party every Tuesday night this month," he says. "We get to share the suspense."

Win or lose, he says he learned a lot from being around the judges.

"The atmosphere was very positive, with jokes and good humour going between takes," says Falvai, who was born in Nanaimo.

"The judges were patient and would explain to contestants where they went wrong. It was almost like a teaching program." parrais@timescolonist.com

Canada's Handyman Challenge can be seen tonight at 7 and 10 p.m. on HGTV.