Handyman Construction completes maintenance and repair tasks for customers. These may include:

They work in residential and commercial settings. They often report to a supervisor.

For example, a service company supervisor may supervise electricians, plumbers, and security systems installers. They may also work alongside carpenters and painters. Some supervisors specialize in a specific task, such as drywall installation.

Qualifications

Handyman contractors are versatile laborers who are skilled in several trades, including plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and home maintenance. They also have strong communication skills and can communicate effectively with customers. They may need to explain complex issues in simple terms and provide advice on how to fix the issue. In addition to basic handyman skills, they should be familiar with building industry standards and regulations.

Many states have licensing requirements for handymen that differ from state to state. Typically, the requirements include minimum experience, passing an exam and meeting insurance and bonding requirements. Some states also limit the amount of work that can be performed by a handyman without a license.

Some state-licensed handymen specialize in specific types of work, such as roofing or remodeling. Others offer a more general range of services, such as painting or cleaning. Other handymen may choose to become licensed general contractors, but this requires more extensive training and experience. Licensing requirements often include a minimum number of years of experience and a passed trade, business, and law exam.

A general contractor oversees construction projects and may supervise a team of employees or specialty contractors. He or she is responsible for the quality of work and ensuring that all work meets state and zoning codes and ordinances. Unlike a handyman, a general contractor must pass trade, business, and law exams.

While post-secondary education is not necessary to be a handyman, an apprenticeship can improve your employment prospects and advance your career. Whether you are interested in becoming a plumbing or carpentry specialist, there are many different apprenticeships available that can help you develop your skills and gain practical experience.

If you are unsure of what type of work you want to do, find a local handyman who can show you the basics of his or her trade. Most people are willing to share their knowledge and expertise with those who are eager to learn. You can also read books and online resources, attend workshops or seminars, and network with other professionals in the field to get a feel for what your job will be like.

Licensing

Before you can become a licensed handyman, you must pass the trade bus,iness, and law exams. The exam requirements vary by state. However, studying effectively and utilizing available resources can help you prepare for the test. For example, you may want to take practice exams or review courses offered by local trade schools or community colleges. Additionally, some states allow you to bring your own study materials to the exam. These can include notecards and calculators. Taking the exam with other people can also be helpful in maintaining motivation and reducing stress.

Once you have passed the licensing exams, you must obtain a bond and insurance coverage to protect yourself from financial mishaps that can occur while you work on projects. Typically, liability insurance is required for handymen in most jurisdictions. It protects you from third-party claims of property damage, bodily injury, or advertising injury. In addition, if someone trips over your tools or is injured by something you have done while working on their project, liability insurance can cover the medical expenses and legal fees.

You should also consider whether to incorporate your business or operate as an LLC. This decision will impact your taxation status and the structure of your business. Additionally, if you plan to employ other workers, you must obtain workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance. You must also register any “doing business as” (DBA) names with the local, county, or state government.

In some cases, having a criminal record can prevent you from becoming licensed as a handyman. Nevertheless, depending on the nature of your offense and how long ago it occurred, there may be rehabilitation or other legal remedies that can improve your chances of getting licensed. In general, it is best to contact an attorney or license specialist who can guide you through the process. This can ensure that all required documents are submitted, double-checked for errors, and ready to be processed. It can also minimize the chance of delays or even rejection of your application.

Insurance

Handymen are skilled, multi-talented contractors that perform a variety of tasks in residential and commercial settings. Their work can range from small, odd jobs to more significant projects like gutter cleaning and repair or installing new fixtures. It’s important for these workers to have insurance to cover damage to property and medical bills if they are injured on the job. The best insurance providers for handymen typically offer a number of coverage options bundled into one policy that can save the business money over paying for individual policies separately. The cost of these policies can vary, however, so it’s important for handymen to review the fine print carefully and look for discounts and deductible waivers.

Depending on the type of work they do, it’s common for handymen to need general liability and commercial auto insurance. This coverage can help protect them from third-party claims of property damage or personal injury, and it may also pay for legal fees if they are sued by customers over damage caused during their work. If a handyman hires subcontractors to assist them, it’s often a good idea for them to get workers’ compensation insurance as well. This coverage pays out a percentage of an employee’s regular earnings if they are injured on the job and can help cover lost wages and medical expenses.

It’s also important for a handyman to have a business interruption policy in place to cover costs while their business is unable to operate. This type of coverage can help them cover their overhead, taxes, and other necessary costs while they’re unable to earn revenue from their work. The best insurance providers for handymen often have a number of coverage options and bundle them into a single, easy-to-understand policy.

Some of the top insurers for handymen include State Farm, Thimble and Progressive. All of these companies have great reputations in the industry and offer excellent coverage for their clients. State Farm, in particular, offers a bundled insurance option called artisan and service contractor insurance that’s designed specifically for service contractors like handymen. This policy includes general liability, commercial auto, tools and equipment coverage and workers’ comp.

Tools

Handymen use a wide variety of tools to help them complete various types of projects for homeowners. The quality of a handyman’s tools plays a significant role in the level of professional work they are able to achieve and should be considered carefully when making any purchasing decisions. For example, a high-quality tool will often perform better and last longer than a lower-quality tool, making it a wiser investment in the long run.

Handyman contractors should also have a variety of tools for cleaning up after each job. For instance, a broom, cordless vacuum, mops, cleaning soaps and gels should all be part of the arsenal. This type of equipment will allow them to leave a customer’s home with the place looking neat and tidy. It can also help them earn a good reputation and build trust with customers, which is an important aspect of the business.

Other hand tools that a handyman will often use include a utility knife, tape measure and a pencil. It’s also helpful to have a pair of work gloves to protect your hands from cuts, blisters, and other types of injury while working on a project. A hammer and pliers set is also essential for many handyman jobs.

When it comes to power tools, a handyman will likely need a drill and a variety of screwdrivers. A basic drill will be useful for drilling holes in walls or wood, while a power drill with a range of attachments is great for screwing things in and out. A miter saw is another handy power tool that’s great for cutting angled edges in materials like wood.

In addition to these tools, a handyman will need to have a ladder for climbing to higher places. A 4 ft step ladder is good for many small jobs, while an extendable 20 ft ladder can be used for larger jobs. Other equipment that a handyman may need includes a flashlight for working in dimly lit areas, a stud finder and a wrench set.

It’s also important for a handyman to have marketing tools such as business cards, lawn signs and shirts that are emblazoned with the company name and logo. These can be given to each customer to promote the business and pass on to other people who may need the services of a local handyman.