Can I Perfomr Handyman Services In Florida

Looking for piece of work as a handyman? Florida is a cracking place to launch your business. The land ranks 4th in the nation for handyperson employment with over 98,000 maintenance and repair workers. Additionally, S Florida ranks amidst the top nonmetropolitan areas for the highest concentration of jobs in this line of piece of work.¹

If you're wondering what type of work can a handyman do legally, the reply is that almost handymen in Florida don't need a professional license. However, if you programme to practice certain types of jobs, you may demand a full general contractor license. In this guide, we'll cover which types of projects require a license along with details on the following topics:

Do you need a license to exist a handyman?
How to get a handyman license in Florida
Florida contractor license requirements
Requirements for Florida contractor license renewals
Florida contractor license reciprocity
Bond requirements for Florida contractor licenses
What kind of insurance does a handyman need in Florida?
What is the certificate of insurance requirement in Florida for handymen?

Do yous need a license to exist a handyman?

If you program to perform mostly minor repairs and basic maintenance as a handyman, it's unlikely that you need a license.

A common question we get asked is: does a handyman need a license in Florida? Y'all merely need a license in Florida if you program to perform sure types of jobs that get beyond the scope of pocket-sized repairs. If your piece of work will go a finished part of the construction (such as replacing flooring in an entire room) and the full for the project exceeds $500, you lot must have a general contractor license in Florida.

What'due south the deviation betwixt a handyman and a full general contractor?

Before nosotros get into the details of how to obtain a license in Florida, it'southward important to clarify what it means to be a handyman — because this is going to affect whether or non you need a license and what type of insurance you're going to need.

A handyman or handywoman is someone who does minor repair, carpentry or small maintenance jobs. Typically these jobs only involve i person.

If you work on larger projects, such as building a deck or wiring a new kitchen, yous could be considered a contractor, and you would need to get the appropriate license and insurance coverage. A handyperson is commonly someone who can complete a job on their own.

So what can a handyman do without a license? Hither are some examples to help figure out if the jobs yous perform mean you're a handyman or a general contractor.

Handyman vs Contractor

How to get a handyman license in Florida

Since no Florida handyman license application exists — as there isn't a license for this type of work — you must use for a full general contractor license issued past the Department of Business and Professional person Regulation.ⁱⁱ There are 2 types of contractor licenses available in this state:

Certified license

This type of license allows you to work anywhere in Florida.

Registered license

This type of license only permits you to work in certain local jurisdictions in Florida.

In most states, you must submit an application before you can take a licensing examination. Merely in Florida, you lot'll need to pass an exam or obtain a certificate of competency kickoff.

To become a certified license, sign up for the exam through Professional person Testing, Inc.³ This exam includes 3 parts:

Business and finance
Contract administration
Project direction

If you are pursuing a registered license, you will demand a document of competency from a local licensing authority.

Once you pass the exam or go your certificate of competency, yous may submit your application to the Department of Business and Professional person Regulation. With your application, you must include the post-obit:

Application fee of $145 (certified license) or $305 (registered license)
Electronic fingerprints
Employment history
FICO credit report
Proof of satisfaction of liens, judgments and belch of bankruptcy (if applicable)
Supporting legal documentation (if applicable)

Florida contractor license requirements

In lodge to go a licensed certified contractor in the State of Florida, an applicant must exist at least 18 years one-time, accept a passing score on all parts of the license test and demonstrate fiscal responsibility.

For a certified license, you must also meet the education/experience requirements. You lot demand at least four years of work experience, a four-year construction-related degree or a combination of work experience and college-level credits.

If you are applying for a registered license, you must be at least 18 years old, have a document of competency and demonstrate fiscal responsibility.

Requirements for Florida contractor license renewals

You must renew your license every two years. In addition to paying a renewal fee, you must besides complete 14 hours of continuing education, with a minimum of one hour on each of these topics:

Workplace rubber
Workers' bounty
Business practices
Laws and rules
Florida edifice code

Florida contractor license reciprocity

Florida has a reciprocal licensing agreement with California. Licensed general contractors from this land may utilize for reciprocity to become a certified general contractor in Florida.

To apply in this manner, you must still pass the business and finance exam and submit the post-obit documentation:

Verification of licensure in California
Confirmation that the license is in skillful standing and has non been subject to whatsoever disciplinary activeness in the by five years
Electronic fingerprints
FICO credit study
Proof of satisfaction of liens, judgments and discharge of bankruptcy (if applicable)
Supporting legal documentation (if applicable)

Bond requirements for Florida contractor licenses

If your FICO credit score is below 660, you must submit a bond or irrevocable letter of credit in the amount of $20,000. If you have a xiv-hour financial responsibility class, the required bail corporeality decreases to $ten,000.

What kind of insurance does a handyman need in Florida?

Regardless of whether your work requires a license, you'll need the correct handyman insurance to protect your business. This may include the post-obit types of insurance coverage:

Workers' Compensation insurance

Depending on the number of employees you have, a Florida'due south requirement for workers' compensation insurance may apply to your handyman business. It provides coverage for lost wages, medical expenses and more if you or an employee gets injured at work.

General Liability insurance

Nigh all handymen need general liability insurance. Clients typically ask for it, and if someone other than an employee gets injure or you accidentally damage property that doesn't vest to you, this insurance provides the coverage you demand.

Tools and Equipment insurance

You can get coverage for your gear in the event of impairment or theft when you accept tools and equipment insurance.

Commercial Auto insurance

When yous're driving to different job sites, you'll need commercial auto insurance to cover costs related to accidents, such every bit medical expenses, towing and repairs.

Commercial Property insurance

Commercial holding insurance provides coverage for harm or vandalism to your equipment and inventory as well equally commercial buildings you own or rent for your business.

What is the certificate of insurance requirement in Florida for handymen?

You must submit certificates of insurance to show that you have the following coverage as a general contractor:

General liability: $300,000
Property harm: $50,000
Workers' compensation: Dependent on the number of employees you take

If y'all do not have any employees, you tin use for a workers' compensation insurance coverage waiver.

How NEXT Insurance supports Florida handypeople

Adjacent Insurance helps y'all get the correct handyperson insurance to protect your business and help you thrive in a competitive industry.

Simply employ our convenient online services to apply for coverage and go a certificate of insurance in merely minutes. You'll also take access to unlimited COIs to print or share electronically at no actress accuse, and you lot can log in to your account from any reckoner or mobile device whenever you need to make changes or updates to your coverage.

We only sell small business concern insurance, and our specialty is coverage for contractors similar you. We've helped thousands of contractors get affordable insurance packages customized to come across their unique needs.

Prepare to take the next step for your career? Get an instant quote online today.

Do you plan to work every bit a handyman in another U.South. country? Find out what states require handyman licenses in our summary of handyman license requirements .

Sources

1 U.Due south. Agency of Labor Statistics

2 Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation