THE HANDYMAN MYTH

We have had many people ask about obtaining a handyman license. They ask about this license because they believe that it will allow them to do odd jobs. While it is true that some places do have a “handyman license”, the odd jobs that it allows one to do are limited in their scope. You might be surprised at how limited too.

Many people want one license that will allow them to fix holes in drywall, repair a leaky faucet, paint a wall, change out a door, install a light, patch a roof, install a screen pool cage, etc, etc… We need to make sure that everyone knows there is no such license that will allow one person to do all of these things. To do this type of work, one person would need many different licenses.

For example, to patch a roof you would need a roofing license. To fix a leaky faucet then that person must get a plumbing license. To paint a house, a contractor would need to get a painting license from their county. To run wires to install a new light, there must be an electrical license. Whether it is a county or state license, there is a license for all trades in almost every county.

So what does a “handyman license” really allow someone to do? Well, we can’t answer for each county as there are 67 counties and every one of them is slightly different from the next. What we can give you is the overview of the Collier License. In Collier a handyman (AKA maintenance license) can ONLY:

• Assemble Exercise Equipment
• Assemble Toys
• Assemble Furniture
• Assemble Gas Grills
• Change Light Bulbs
• Clean & Change Ceiling Fan Blades
• Clean Garages
• Clean Gutters
• Edge Lawn
• Hang Pictures
• Haul
• Trash to Dump
• Install Garage Organizers
• Move Furniture
• Mow Lawn
• Pressure Clean Driveways and Walkways (no Roofs)
• Rake Leaves
• Repair Screens
• Replace caulking
• Replace Door Handles
• Wash Windows
• Residential/Commercial Cleaning
• Construction Cleaning

So before you go and get a license you believe will allow you to provide the services of many trades, be sure you understand exactly what that license can do. You might be surprised at exactly what it can NOT do. Or as always, give us a call. We will always try to help.