Key Takeaways
- Most home repairs under $500 are handyman territory, not contractor jobs
- Handymen handle repairs, maintenance, and small installs — contractors handle structural work
- Florida licensing rules determine what each can do legally
- Choosing the right professional saves you money and gets the job done faster
The Difference Between a Handyman and a Contractor
Homeowners across Valrico, Seffner, and Plant City often call contractors for jobs a handyman could handle in half the time and at a fraction of the cost. Here is how to tell the difference.
A handyman handles repairs, maintenance, and small-to-medium installations. A general contractor manages large-scale projects that involve structural changes, multiple permits, or major system overhauls.
Sign #1: The Job Is Under $500
If the repair or project will cost less than $500 in labor and materials, a handyman is almost certainly the right call. Think: patching drywall, replacing a faucet, fixing a squeaky door, mounting a TV, or installing shelving. Our handyman services cover all of these and more.
Sign #2: It Is a Repair, Not a Remodel
If something is broken and needs fixing — a sticking door, a loose railing, a leaky faucet, a cracked tile — that is a repair. Repairs are handyman work. If you want to rip out a bathroom and start from scratch, that is a remodel and needs a contractor.
Sign #3: No Permits Required
In Florida, most small repairs and installations do not require a building permit. If no permit is needed, a handyman can handle it. Permit-required work (new electrical circuits, plumbing rough-ins, structural changes) needs a licensed contractor or specialist.
Sign #4: You Have a List of Small Jobs
This is where a handyman truly shines. Got a list of 5-10 small things that have been bugging you? A handyman can knock them all out in a single visit: hang pictures, fix cabinet hinges, install a new doorbell, mount a TV, replace outlet covers, and caulk around the tub.
Sign #5: It Is Maintenance, Not Construction
Routine maintenance is handyman territory: AC tune-ups, filter changes, pressure washing, gutter cleaning, touch-up painting, and preventative upkeep. If it keeps your home running smoothly rather than changing its structure, a handyman is the way to go.
When You DO Need a Contractor
- Structural work (load-bearing walls, foundation, roof replacement)
- Major electrical (new circuits, panel upgrades)
- Full plumbing rough-ins or re-pipes
- Room additions or major remodeling
- Any project requiring building permits
Frequently Asked Questions
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