Wondering if you need to become a licensed contractor in Florida? Perhaps you’ve found a steady income doing odd jobs and the occasional repair. Certainly, there is always a demand for handyman work in any state and Florida is no exception. If you want to find work for yourself as a contractor, you will need a business license in the Sunshine State.
Additionally, you will need to understand what Florida defines as “handyman” work and what would require a contractor license. Like many states, Florida has a limit on what services you can provide as a handyman before you would be required to get a contractor license.
So, if your business is booming but you’re being asked about bigger and more expensive jobs, it might be time to consider getting your Florida Contractors License. Here’s a look at what you can and cannot do as a handyman in Florida.
Small Service Repairs In Florida
Florida is considered a friendly state for the jack-of-all-trades handyman, which means many of the jobs performed by a handyman don’t require a contractor’s license of any kind. Many states limit the dollar amount of these jobs to $1,000 but that is not the case in Florida. This includes basic small repair service jobs such as:
- Minor carpentry
- Door repair
- Cabinet installation
- General painting
- Paneling
- Basic yard work
- Tiling jobs
- Small appliance repair
- Window repair
Handyman Limitations in Florida
While one can perform many basic handyman jobs without a contractor license, the following work cannot be done without one:
Construction – It is illegal in Florida to do any structural or remodeling work without certification and licensing by the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board. This includes roof work, demolishing load-bearing walls, additions, and foundation work of any kind.
Plumbing – Virtually all plumbing work requires licensing. A handyman may add a water filter to a faucet, but even installing a dishwasher is not allowed.
Electrical work – Similar to plumbing, it’s illegal to perform virtually any electrical work in Florida without a contractor license.
Florida Contractor License
Again, though there is no dollar amount on the job you can accept as a handyman, you may find it’s safer and more profitable to get a statewide license for the following:
- General Contractor
- Residential Contractor
- Building
- Mechanical Work
- Plumbing
- Electrical Work
- Air conditioning (Florida HVAC Licensing)
- Pool installation
- Roofing
- Solar panel installation
- Fire protection
- Alarm systems
For any Florida contractor license, you must have four years experience in the category for the license you desire, provide proof of your financial stability, and pass the Florida Contractor Exam.
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Next Steps
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