Get matched with top handymen in Codorus, PA

In most states, handypeople do not need to be licensed to perform simple home repair tasks and smaller jobs. When projects exceed specific cost amounts, however, ranging from $500 in California to $50,000 in other states, some municipalities consider them to be contractors, meaning they need to be licensed. To learn if your handyperson should be licensed to work on your job, contact your local governing body or state contractors’ licensing board before starting any work.

Handypeople usually don’t hold trade licenses, so they typically aren’t qualified to tackle projects involving installing or making alterations to plumbing or electrical lines. Below are some jobs that a handyperson usually won’t be able to complete:

• Installing plumbing for a new kitchen or bathroom

• Replacing plumbing pipes

• Installing or repairing septic systems

• Running new electrical wiring

• Installing a subpanel

While handypeople do not need to be licensed in many places, you should only hire insured pros for any home improvement work. Your handyperson should have active liability coverage that protects them and you in the case of an error or accident. Furthermore, if they have employees on your property, they should also have workers’ compensation insurance. If you hire an individual or a company that is not insured and they damage your property, have an accident while on the job, or become injured on your property without insurance, you can be held financially liable.

There are a few advantages to hiring a handyperson as a contractor, namely that they will likely charge less for their services since they don’t have as much overhead. A handyperson might also have more flexibility and be more involved in your specific home project, so you can communicate with one person instead of a subcontractor team.