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Handyman License Florida

Handyman Licensing in Florida – Everything You Need to Know

Last updated: December 22nd, 2021

Florida is a handyman-friendly state – meaning you can legally provide a wide variety of services without obtaining a contractor’s license.

However, there are a few things you’ll want to know before you start advertising handyman services.

Here you’ll find a detailed explanation of what you can and cannot do as an unlicensed handyman, what licenses are required, as well as comments from other pro handymen in Florida.

Do you need a license to be a handyman in Florida?

No, there is no required contractor’s license to perform basic handyman services in exchange for money. However, there are limitations on which services you can provide unless you decide to get a contractor’s license.

Please note: You do need a business license regardless of the services you offer.)

Florida Handyman Limitations

Florida is a handyman-friendly state. You can do a wide range of services without a contractor’s license of any kind, which is pretty nice if you don’t want to jump through a bunch of hoops to start your handyman business.

You can NOT do the following work without a contractor’s license of some kind:

  • Work on foundations
  • Work on structural walls
  • Plumbing of any kind
  • Electrical of any kind
  • HVAC – (Heating, ventilating, and cooling)
  • Additions
  • Asbestos abatement
  • Alarm system install, repair, or maintenance

Now that might sound like a lot of limitations, but there is a lot of work you can perform as an unlicensed handyman. Let’s dig into that a little deeper.

Electrical Work

Florida law is stringent when it comes to electrical work. Here’s what the Department of Business and Professional Regulation website says:

“If you pay someone to perform even the simplest of electrical work, such as connecting two wires, you must hire a licensee.”

That means no installing ceiling fans or replacing lighting fixtures. You can’t even replace an outlet.

Here’s electrical work you CAN perform WITHOUT a license:

  • Change a lightbulb
  • Change outlet cover plates
  • Setup home theater components (as long as you aren’t running wires through the wall)
  • Hang a flat-screen TV on the wall
  • Set up wireless computer networks

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Handyman Plumbing Limitations

You can NOT do any plumbing outside of simple tasks like installing a water filter to the faucet. However, the DBPR website doesn’t go much into specifics.

Here is the small list of plumbing work you CAN do without a contractor’s license:

  • Add a water filter to a faucet
  • Install or repair irrigation systems that have a back-flow preventer (But you’d need a licensed plumber to hook the system up to the potable water line. You can’t tap into any potable water lines without being a licensed plumber.)

General Construction Work

Compared to most states, Florida is quite lenient for general construction such a carpentry, painting, or tile work. While many states have a dollar limit of $1,000 on handyman jobs, Florida has no such limit.

No, you can’t do structural work, like work on foundations, build new additions, or even make modifications to structural walls, but there is quite a bit you can do.

According to the DBPR website, here’s some work you CAN do as a handyman in Florida without a license:

  • Paint
  • Install cabinets
  • Repair fences
  • Repair doors & windows
  • Install wood or tile flooring
  • Install insulation
  • Install a driveway or tile walkway
  • Install awnings that do not become permanent fixtures to the structure
  • Clean swimming pools (no chemical work allowed)
  • Lawn maintenance
  • Basic landscaping such as planting plants (no grading)
  • Build a pre-fabricated shed less than 250 sq feet.

Additional Limitations

Here are a few more projects that are off-limits without a license:

  • Install a dishwasher
  • Replace a water heater
  • Install an air-conditioning unit (except for plug-in window units)
  • Repair or replace swimming pool pumps
  • Build a barn, metal building, or detached garage.

For more details and to read the laws themselves, visit MyFloridaLicense.com.

Already offering handyman services in Florida?

If so, I’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below to share your knowledge or experience.

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