ServiCover📌 Key Takeaway: Handymen are ideal for small repairs and installs. Larger projects, structural work and licensed trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, gas) generally require a licensed contractor — and many states require a contractor license once a job passes a set dollar threshold.
Quick Comparison
| Factor | Handyman | General / Trade Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Typical projects | Repairs, installs, small fixes | Remodels, additions, trade work |
| Licensing | Varies; often limited scope | State or local license required |
| Permits | Rarely pulls permits | Pulls and manages permits |
| Pricing | Hourly or flat per task | Bid per project, often with deposits |
| Subcontractors | Usually works solo | Coordinates multiple trades |
Good Handyman Jobs
- Mounting TVs, shelves, mirrors and curtain rods
- Patching drywall and touch-up painting
- Replacing a faucet or toilet flapper on existing plumbing
- Adjusting sticking doors and replacing hardware
- Caulking, weatherstripping and minor carpentry
Call a Licensed Pro For
- New electrical circuits, panel work or EV chargers — see Electrical
- Water heaters, repiping and sewer lines — see Plumbing
- Furnaces, AC and heat pumps — see HVAC
- Roof replacement — see Roofing
- Removing walls, structural changes or additions
The Dollar Threshold Rule
Many states cap the size of jobs an unlicensed handyman can take on, with limits commonly falling between $500 and $10,000 in total job value. Check your state contractor board before hiring for a larger project — work done outside those limits can leave you with little recourse if something goes wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a handyman do small electrical or plumbing jobs?
Some states allow like-for-like replacements, such as swapping a light fixture or faucet. New circuits, gas work and anything requiring a permit usually need a licensed trade.
Is a contractor always more expensive?
Hourly rates are often higher, but for large jobs a contractor's efficiency, permits and warranties can make them the better value.