The Difference Between a Handyman and a Contractor (and When to Use Them)

Owning any kind of property comes with a steep maintenance curve, and the curve gets steeper the longer you put it off. No one ever stops in the home buying process to explain that your home will be in a state of constant entropy-caused decay …your DIY maintenance skills .

You probably need to hire an assistant for repairs or maintenance. So should you hire a handyman (or handyman ) or a contractor? Who cares? Here’s how to decide which category of work suits your needs.

Licensing

Licensing is probably the most important difference between a jack-of-all-trades and a contractor. Skillful people tend not to specialize. They may have experience in certain areas, but most likely they are not licensed for specialized jobs such as electrical work or plumbing work. And if they don’t have a license for something that requires a license, you definitely shouldn’t hire them to do the job, even if they’re willing to do it. This happens for two fundamental reasons: firstly, their work will not pass the test because they do not have a license, and secondly, you will not have a chance to know if they really know what they are doing until your house burns down. .

Contractors, on the other hand, are licensed by the state. For subcontractors such as plumbers, this licensing is in their area of ​​expertise. For general contractors, this license usually means that they are knowledgeable about building and area codes and other regulations designed to ensure that all construction, maintenance and repair work is carried out correctly and safely.

Licensing requirements for handymen vary by state (and typically depend on the cost of the project, with most minor repairs subject to the restriction requiring a license). If a trade license is required, such as an electrician’s license, skip the handyman and find a licensed contractor.

Insurance

Another consideration when choosing between a handyman and a contractor is insurance. An important argument in favor of a handyman is the cost: they are usually cheaper to hire. This is partly because they are only one person and have low overheads, but another reason is insurance. A licensed contractor must be insured, which usually means at least liability insurance , and often much more extensive coverage. This means that if your contractor damages your home in any way, they will be able to compensate you or make repairs at their own expense.

Handymen can buy handyman’s insurance , but because they do not have a contractor’s license, they may not have insurance. This means that if they cause damage to your home, you could be stuck on a bill or be forced to file a lawsuit in order to get compensation. The importance of insurance, of course, increases with the complexity and potential dangers of the job in question, but even small jobs can cause big problems if done incorrectly, so it’s worth considering.

Volume

Finally, there is the issue of scale. A handyman is usually suitable for any job that one person can handle. A contractor is usually hired for a larger job that requires a range of skills. For example, if you’re renovating a kitchen, you need carpenters, electricians, painters, tilers, plumbers, and any number of extra laborers. If you’re hiring a handyman for the job, not only are you missing out on licensing and insurance information, you’re probably looking at a five-year project schedule and various trim levels.

On the other hand, doing some simple carpentry work, such as building built-in shelving in one room, probably doesn’t require a team of people. The scale of your project is a key element. A good rule of thumb is whether or not you can do the job yourself, but you just don’t have the time or skills to do it well. Another good rule of thumb is permits: if the work you need to do requires any kind of permit from your local building authority, it’s a contractor’s job.

A good jack-of-all-trades can be invaluable, but it’s equally important to know when you need a more reliable and professional solution. Especially if you are the type of person who is still unsure about the difference between a Philips screwdriver and a flathead screwdriver.