What Can a Handyman Legally Do in Florida?

There is no such thing as a handyman contractor’s license in Florida. A business license or tax receipt issued by the county is NOT a contractor’s license and does not allow you to legally engage in any type of contracting. In order to legally contract with customers, you must first obtain permission via a license from either the DBPR (CILB or ECLB) at the State level or by your local contractor’s board.

When unsure of whether a specific scope of work is licensed or not, it is always best to contact your local building department to find out. Also, remember that even though House Bill 735 (Preemption of Local Occupational Licensing) will prohibit counties from requiring licenses whose scope of work is substantially different from those issued by the state, many of the services offered by handymen extend well into the scope of work of well regulated trades like plumbing, roofing and general contracting. If your scope of work requires a contractor’s license in Florida or if your county or city require you to be licensed for a specific type of work, you should not offer those services as a handyman.

Some well established handyman businesses offer a set of services like the ones listed below and their work is completely legal.

Work a Handyman Can Perform in the State of Florida Without a License:

  • Patch Cracks & Holes in Existing Concrete
  • Caulking
  • Painting
  • Tile cleaning and repair
  • Exterior and Interior Cleaning
  • Yard Maintenance
  • Pressure Cleaning
  • Cleaning Gutters
  • Laying carpet, vinyl, wood, tile or laminate flooring
  • Replace interior doors & trim

Electrical Allowed:

  • Replace light bulbs with like type and wattage
  • Replace fuses of same size only

Plumbing Allowed:

  • Repair window A/C units
  • Replace disposable air filters
  • Replace exhaust vent piping for clothes dryer only

What Happens If A Handyman Is Found Performing Work That Is Not Licensed To Perform?

If a handyman is found performing work that he/she is not licensed to perform, a citation in the amount of $500.00 will be issued. You may also be charged under Florida Statutes § 489.127. If you would like to do expand your scope of work, you will need a contractor's license. Our licensing experts are standing by help you get a better understanding of your licensing options. Feel free to contact us at 866-986-7978.

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Comments   

# RE: What Can a Handyman Legally Do in Florida? — Ned 2021-03-13 17:59
Do I need to be licensed to reglaze or refurbish a bath tub
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# RE: What Can a Handyman Legally Do in Florida? — Contractor Campus 2021-08-18 11:05
If you change cosmetic things in the bathroom without changing materials or impacting any plumbing fixtures, you do not need a license to reglaze or refurbish a bathtub. If anything in the bathroom needs to be altered or plumbing fixtures are required, this becomes a bathroom remodel.

The following licenses will allow you to alter the bathroom, work on plumbing fixtures, and work on anything electrical.

General Contractor- https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-general-contractor-license.html

Building Contractor- https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-building-contractor-license.html

Residential Contractor-
https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-residential-contractor-license.html

Plumbing Contractor-
https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-plumbing-contractor-license.html

Unlimited Electrical-
https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-unlimited-electrical-contractor-license.html
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# New to report unlicensed person — Andrea V 2021-06-03 13:01
How do I report someone doing illegal work without the proper license?
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# RE: New to report unlicensed person — Contractor Campus. 2021-06-08 14:48
To report someone working without a contractor's license, you have to file a complaint with the DBPR. The following link will direct you to the website where this complaint can be filed https://www.myfloridalicense.com/datamart/loginFLDBPR.do;jsessionid=e_R_02wz7WGc0VF9gB7M-vtSuqPQFFWyhT8naSPQ.DBPR-WPAP039:VO-Server-Three
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# Mrs — Susan Brown 2021-06-05 23:04
Can a handyman replace a rotted floor around a toilet? That would include ceramic tile, cement board, plywood subflooring, and rotted floor joists that were strengthened by 2x4's on each side.
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# RE: Mrs — Contractor Campus. 2021-06-08 14:11
In the state of Florida, a handyman is able to layout carpet, vinyl, wood, tile, or laminate flooring. Although it depends on the county, you would have to double-check with your current county to verify if that is allowed.
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# Plans — Mark dode 2021-07-13 00:55
I am unlicensed contractor can I hire a structural engineer to make.plans for my customer
Without doing any of the work like the add on or building do plans require someone to be licensed just to hire the engineer and then charge the customer for them in florida
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# RE: Plans — Contractor Campus 2021-08-18 11:22
You do not need to be licensed to hire a Structural Engineer to make plans. If any structural work is necessary, such as add ons, a general contractor license is required.

For more information on obtaining a general contractor license, please visit https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-general-contractor-license.html.
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# Sprinkler replacement — J Marino 2021-08-07 16:10
Can an unlicensed handyman replace and/or repair sprinkler heads and what recourse does a homeowner have if the job is not done properly or completed and he got paid prior to realizing that the job was not complete and he didn’t return?
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# RE: Sprinkler replacement — Contractor Campus 2021-08-18 09:41
An unlicensed handyman is unable to replace or repair sprinkler heads. To do this work legally, you will need an Irrigation Contractor License. For more information on obtaining an Irrigation License, please visit https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-irrigation-contractor-license.html. If you are interested in a county license, please visit https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-licenses.html and select the county you are interested in.

As a homeowner, you can report any unlicensed activity with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Please visit http://bpr.state.fl.us/apps/complaint_forms/pmw_form.asp to file a complaint in regards to paid and unfinished work along with the unlicensed activity.
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# Mr — GW 2021-08-15 23:04
Does the sub contractor for marble and granite needs license in Palm Beach county Florida?
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# RE: Mr — Contractor Campus 2021-08-18 11:49
Yes, a license is required to perform marble and granite work in Palm Beach County, even as a subcontractor.
In Palm Beach County, the license required to perform marble and granite work is a Tile, Terrazzo, and Stone Contractor License. For more information on how to obtain this license, please visit https://www.contractorcampus.com/palm-beach-county-florida-tile-terrazzo-and-stone-contractor-gits-license.html
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# Handyman allowed to repair or replace siding — Michael story 2021-08-18 21:40
Am I allowed to replace or repair siding in the state of Florida ?
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# RE: Handyman allowed to repair or replace siding — Contractor Campus 2021-08-19 14:15
To Replace or Repair siding in the State of Florida, you must have a General Contractor License. For more information on how to obtain a Contractors license, please visit https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-general-contractor-license.html.
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# Handyman — Jorge Rodriguez 2021-08-22 03:46
Can a handyman install exterior doors and windows or is license necessary
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# RE: Handyman — Contractor Campus 2021-08-23 09:23
To Install Exterior Doors and Windows, a windows and doors license is required at a county level. To obtain this license, you will need to pass a trade and business exam. We offer the books and classes to better prep you for these exams. For more information on a specific county, visit https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-licenses.html

If you are looking to obtain a state-level license, a general, building, or residential contractor will allow you to install exterior doors and windows.

For more information on these licenses, please visit:

https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-general-contractor-license.html

https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-building-contractor-license.html

https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-residential-contractor-license.html
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# New business owner — Wesley Doty 2021-08-27 12:36
can i paint, repair drywall and pressure wash?
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# RE: New business owner — Contractor Campus 2021-09-10 10:22
A Handyman can paint and pressure wash without a license.

To repair drywall, a license is needed. These licenses can be obtained at a county or state level.

For information on the state license, please visit,
https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-gypsum-drywall-contractor-license.html

For information on a county license please visit, https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-licenses.html and select the county you are interested in working in.
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# dolphan1967@aol.com — Laurie B Levine 2021-09-02 19:54
Unlicensed handyman replaced my window. Now my HOA is having a fit. I did get a permit and the inspection passed. What should I do? I didn't realize he wasn't licensed or that one was even needed
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# RE: dolphan1967@aol.com — Contractor Campus 2021-09-10 10:26
Hello,
It does not seem as much can be done after the fact. However, for future reference, to check if a person is licensed and insured, please visit, https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp?SID=&brd=H
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# handyman arlington — handyman arlington 2021-09-09 10:10
I need to thank you for this very good read and I have bookmarked to check out new things from your post. Thank you very much for sharing such a useful article and Will definitely save and revisit your site.

handyman arlington
Reply
# RE: handyman arlington — Contractor Campus 2021-09-10 10:27
Thank you so much for the feedback!
Reply
# RE: What Can a Handyman Legally Do in Florida? — Solon castro 2021-09-10 15:04
Need a painting license in florida
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# RE: What Can a Handyman Legally Do in Florida? — Contractor Campus 2021-09-13 08:33
To work on painting in the State of Florida, there is no specific license. This work normally falls under the county level. Most counties require a Painting Contractor License such as Lee County.

Lee County Painting Contractors can use paint spraying equipment and hand tools to apply paint to the interior and exterior surfaces; includes painting concrete, sealing river rock, sandblasting, and general coating except for roof applications.

For more information on obtaining a Lee County Painting License please visit, https://www.contractorcampus.com/lee-county-florida-painting-pt-contractor-gits-license.html

If you are interested in obtaining a license at the state level, a general, building, or residential contractor will allow you to do so.
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# What Kind of License do I need? — cpo2071 2021-09-12 16:14
I'm moving to FL early in 2022. I currently do work in MN that I don't need a license for, that includes parts replacement of: electrical outlets, switches, and light fixtures and faucets, sink drain pipes, and toilets.
Is there a license level that would allow me to do those services?
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# RE: What Kind of License do I need? — Contractor Campus 2021-09-13 08:51
To do the replacement of electrical outlets, switches, and light fixtures, you will need to obtain a lighting maintenance contractor license. We offer the books and classes to better prep you for both exams.

For more information on how to obtain this license, please visit,
https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-lighting-maintenance-contractor-license.html

To replace faucets, sink drain pipes, and toilets you will need a Plumbing Contractors License.
This license has a trade and business exam. We carry all the material needed to help you pass these exams.

https://www.contractorcampus.com/florida-plumbing-contractor-license.html
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