You might think that a handyman is someone who can tackle any job that needs fixing around the house. While it’s true that handymen are skilled tradesmen who are good at tackling a variety of home maintenance tasks, there are some things they can’t do legally. In most states, a handyman must have a license to perform work as an independent contractor – and as such, there are certain activities they cannot do under this designation. If you want to hire a handyman to help fix up your home, it helps to understand what type of work they can legally do. If you want to hire a handyman but aren’t sure if the tasks they offer are legal for them to perform in your state, these details can help you make an informed decision about whether or not hiring one is right for you.
Tasks Handymen Cannot Legally Perform
In many states, this includes plumbing repairs that require a permit. While a handyman may be good at fixing a leaky faucet or reattaching a burst pipe, he cannot legally do so without first obtaining a permit from the state. This is to ensure he’s qualified to do the job and won’t cause damage to the home’s water supply. Hiring a handyman to perform plumbing repairs without a permit may also be an issue if you have home insurance. If a licensed plumber does the work, the insurance company will reimburse you for the cost. But if a handyman is self-employed and not licensed to perform the work, the insurance company may deny your claim. Hiring someone to do electrical work is trickier, requiring a licensed electrician registered with your state’s licensing board. However, you can hire a handyman who is an electrician by trade to perform non-electrical repairs. While the handyman can legally perform work that doesn’t require an electrician, he cannot legally perform electrical work without the appropriate license.
Hiring a Handyman to Perform Illegal Tasks
Before hiring a handyman to perform illegal tasks, you should be aware that you could face fines or legal action from your state’s licensing board. In addition, hiring an unlicensed handyman who performs work against the law can open you up to liability and make you responsible for any damage he causes. If a handyman is caught doing work that is illegal for him to perform, he may have to pay a fine and be prohibited from doing work in your state for a certain amount of time. If you hire a handyman who is not licensed, you might be able to catch him in the act, but it isn’t very easy. Many handymen know what they can and cannot legally do and will likely lie to you if they’re doing something they’re not supposed to be. It’s up to you to do your research and make sure you hire a legitimate contractor. If a handyman is doing work that’s not allowed, you may be able to report him to your state’s licensing board and get him removed from your state.
Installing Appliances and Repairs That Require Full Hook-ups
In many states, a handyman is not allowed to install appliances or perform repairs that require a full hook-up. This means that if you hire a handyman to install a furnace, he cannot legally do so until he obtains a permit from your city or county. If the furnace’s gas line needs to be connected to the house’s gas line, he cannot legally do so until he obtains a permit from the state. You can hire a handyman to install a water heater, furnace, or any other home appliance. He cannot legally perform the work until he obtains a permit to make the necessary connections.
Installing Drywall, Windows, Doors and Other Full-Scale Building Materials
Again, in many places, a handyman cannot legally perform work that requires building materials, such as windows, doors, and drywall. In addition, some handymen are not allowed to install fire-retardant materials such as drywall, as they need special training to do so. In some states, a handyman is not allowed to install windows, doors, or any other building materials that are considered full-scale construction unless he has a certain number of years of experience and an SBA license. If you hire a handyman to perform work that requires building materials, you need to understand that he cannot legally do so until he obtains a permit from the state. Depending on how many windows, doors, and other full-scale materials he’s installing, he might need several licenses.
Handymen Who Are Contractors Cannot Perform These Tasks Legally
Contract handymen cannot legally perform any of the tasks listed above without obtaining the correct permits. Contractors need to be licensed in all 50 states in order to legally perform work that requires full-scale construction, such as installing a new roof or adding a deck to your house. Contractors are also required to have workers’ compensation insurance for their employees and a license to perform work that requires a permit. If you hire a contractor who is not licensed to perform the work you need done, he cannot legally do so. You run the risk of being fined or even sued if the contractor does not obtain the appropriate permits and does work that requires them.
What Can a Handyman Do Legally?
In most areas, a handyman can legally perform minor repairs around your home, change light bulbs, install ceiling fans, paint walls, install garage door openers, install gutter guards and more. A handyman may also be able to install appliances, repair broken furniture and perform other tasks that don’t require building materials. It depends on where you live and the regulations governing contractors. Before hiring a handyman to perform work around your home, make sure he can legally do so.
Sacramento Handyman $500 Limit for Labor and Materials
If you hire a contractor in Sacramento, California, he must give you a written estimate that includes the work he’ll perform and the materials he’ll use. He also needs to give you a description of the materials and a cost breakdown. If he charges you more than $500 for labor and materials, he must have a contractor’s license. If the contractor doesn’t have a license and charges you more than $500 for the work, you can report him to the Contractors State License Board.
Conclusion
Hiring a handyman to help out around the house is a great way to tackle home repairs, maintenance and improvements you can’t do yourself. But it’s important to understand what type of work a handyman can and cannot legally do before hiring one.
