Handyman Vs. Contractor
For all intents and purposes, it has been my experience that both can
do each others jobs-assuming they are professionals in their fields.
Both have extensive, hands-on experience in most build or repair
situation. Both have appropriate tools to complete a certain job, Both
are mechanically oriented and can quickly understand how things
work.
The main difference is that a contractor is licensed by the state where
a handyman is not. In California, for example, a handyman can legally
provide home repair, maintenance and improvements not exceeding
$500 in total value. This means that if you want to drywall a whole
room, you should consider a contractor. But, if your looking to patch
up a hole that your teenage son made while practicing his taekwondo,
then a handyman will suffice.
How does this affect you, the consumer? Well, that depends on what
your needs are. A state license simply means that a contractor has
passed the state certification process letting the consumer know that
this contractor has the knowledge to accurately perform the work
other than the testimonies of previous clients.
Why choose a handyman over a contractor? The most prominent
answer is "cost". You will pay a hefty premium for a licensed contractor
to come out and install that new ceiling fan by as much as 300%.
Ouch. So you can see why handymen are a staple in the construction
industry. Any contractor or handyman must do good work to stay in
business...duh. They must build a relationship with their customers
and stand behind their work. If they put the customer first, they will be
successful.
I had a lady tell me that hiring an unlicensed contractor was illegal.
This is just not true-as far as I know. As a homeowner, I can hire
anyone I like, licensed or not, to perform any kind of service on my
home, assuming I take the role of general contractor and the job is
done to industry standards, but, like anything else, buyer beware.
Licensed or not, there are bad contractors and handymen out there,
so you have to do your due diligence when you hire anyone for
anything.
H. Rodriguez
Handyman/Staff Writer
For all intents and purposes, it has been my experience that both can
do each others jobs-assuming they are professionals in their fields.
Both have extensive, hands-on experience in most build or repair
situation. Both have appropriate tools to complete a certain job, Both
are mechanically oriented and can quickly understand how things
work.
The main difference is that a contractor is licensed by the state where
a handyman is not. In California, for example, a handyman can legally
provide home repair, maintenance and improvements not exceeding
$500 in total value. This means that if you want to drywall a whole
room, you should consider a contractor. But, if your looking to patch
up a hole that your teenage son made while practicing his taekwondo,
then a handyman will suffice.
How does this affect you, the consumer? Well, that depends on what
your needs are. A state license simply means that a contractor has
passed the state certification process letting the consumer know that
this contractor has the knowledge to accurately perform the work
other than the testimonies of previous clients.
Why choose a handyman over a contractor? The most prominent
answer is "cost". You will pay a hefty premium for a licensed contractor
to come out and install that new ceiling fan by as much as 300%.
Ouch. So you can see why handymen are a staple in the construction
industry. Any contractor or handyman must do good work to stay in
business...duh. They must build a relationship with their customers
and stand behind their work. If they put the customer first, they will be
successful.
I had a lady tell me that hiring an unlicensed contractor was illegal.
This is just not true-as far as I know. As a homeowner, I can hire
anyone I like, licensed or not, to perform any kind of service on my
home, assuming I take the role of general contractor and the job is
done to industry standards, but, like anything else, buyer beware.
Licensed or not, there are bad contractors and handymen out there,
so you have to do your due diligence when you hire anyone for
anything.
H. Rodriguez
Handyman/Staff Writer
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