Should You Hire a Handyman or Licensed Contractor?

Homeowners work on both small and large projects, ranging from adding shelves to a home office to remodeling the bathroom. For these projects, you must decide whether you should hire a handyman or a licensed contractor.

If you aren’t sure if you should choose a handyman or a contractor, learn about the answers to a few essential questions. When you hire the right type of professional, they’ll get the job done right and save you time and money.

What Does a Handyman Do?

As the name implies, a handyman is someone who can perform a wide range of tasks around your home. Typically, the person has no formal qualifications or licenses but boosts specific skills to handle various repair and maintenance tasks.

In Florida, most handyman tasks do not need a license, and include basic yard work, window and door repair, paneling, painting, cabinet installation, and small appliance repair. Nevertheless, any construction, wiring, and plumbing tasks require a state contractor's license.

What Does a Contractor Do?

While there are different types of contractors, they are all skilled, licensed, and experienced. They often have licenses for specific trades and skills, ranging from plumbing and HVAC to construction.

Contractors handle large construction projects like extensive renovations and major overhauls. They can remodel your kitchen, renovate a bathroom, and add a room or story to your home.

How Do You Choose Between a Handyman and a Contractor?

Typically, a handyman should not perform a contractor's work, and a contractor should not be called in for a handyman's work. Luckily, you can ask yourself these questions to determine whether to hire a handyman or a contractor.

What Is the Scope and Size of the Project?

The scope and size of a project can help you determine the person to hire. Small repair jobs around the house are tasks a handyman can do. Think of unclogging pipes, painting a deck, or installing a washing machine.

However, large projects that require specialty trades are best left for contractors. Think about building a deck, constructing an additional room, and installing a new kitchen.

Most homeowners hire a handyman when they accumulate various repair tasks around the home, whereas they call in a contractor to handle a huge repair or start a large project.

Do You Require a Building Permit?

Large construction projects require a building permit from relevant authorities. If your project needs a permit, consider hiring a licensed contractor. A contractor can guide you on the process of getting the required permits.

Does the Job Require Specialty Skills?   

While a handyman is a generalist and can tackle a broad range of tasks, a contractor is a specialist and performs specific tasks. You need a licensed contractor to remodel your kitchen, but a handyman can fix a leaking faucet. You don't need a specialist to hang pictures in the living room or repair a fence, but you need one to handle big home improvement projects. The difference is in the size of the project and the skills required.

What Else Should You Consider?



A handyman and licensed contractor have different roles. Hiring a handyman is inexpensive, and you save time and energy. When you hire a licensed contractor, you benefit from specialized skills and training, certification, vast industry knowledge, and compliance with building codes and regulations. Also, a contractor is insured in case something goes wrong in your project.

If you are looking to build your dream home or remodel your current home, contact our team at Genuine Home Builders, Inc. We treat every project as our own to meet your design specifications and exceed your expectations.