I’ve read through the contracting laws for the state of Oregon to find out what a handyman can (and cannot) do without obtaining a contractor’s license.
Relative to some other states, Oregon is strict regarding contracting laws. Unless you decide to get a contractor’s license, you may find yourself feeling restricted.
For example, the Oregon.gov website says, “No advertising is allowed” for unlicensed handymen. I find this vague, so I dug in deeper into handyman licensing laws in Oregon.
Here’s what I learned.
What are the requirements to be a handyman in Oregon?
There is no “handyman license” in Oregon, so no license is required.
However, there are limitations on the jobs you can perform without a contractor’s license.
Additionally, obtaining a business license is usually a good idea to avoid fines. You can probably get away without a business license if you are just picking up a job or two on weekends, but if you plan to get more serious, then you’ll want to get a local business license at a minimum. You can find more details on recommended business licenses for a handyman here.
What are the limitations of handyman work in Oregon?
- You cannot complete projects where the contract value exceeds $1,000. This eliminates all big jobs like kitchen and bath remodels but still leaves a lot of room for small repairs and other services. Also, that $1,000 includes all labor and materials involved.
- The work you do must be causal, minor, or inconsequential. Basically, that means you can’t do anything that affects the health or safety of the owner or occupant. That means nothing structural or involving harmful materials like lead or asbestos.
And lastly, there is some information about advertising, which is restricted if you don’t have a contractor’s license.
In Chapter 701 — Construction Contractors and Contracts it says that the following are exempt from the contracting laws:
“A person working on one structure or project, under one or more contracts, when the aggregate price of all of that person’s contracts for labor, materials and all other items is less than $1,000 and such work is of a casual, minor or inconsequential nature. This subsection does not apply to a person who advertises or puts out any sign or card or other device that might indicate to the public that the person is a contractor.”
I interpret this (and I’m NOT a legal professional) that you can do minor jobs under $1,000 as long as you aren’t advertising as a contractor. But that doesn’t say you can’t advertise at all – just make sure that if you do, you make it very clear that you are NOT a licensed contractor. You may even need to explicitly say this in any advertising to be safe.
Can I perform minor Plumbing repairs in Oregon without a license?
Based on the laws that I read, I would NOT recommend doing any plumbing because that affects homeowners’ health and safety. Technically, even changing out a faucet affects the health and safety of people because they may be drinking out of it.
Changing a shower head, though? This is where things get a little gray, and it’s open for interpretation. But, I’ve found that it’s better to err on the safe side, so you don’t run into any trouble – and I certainly wouldn’t recommend advertising for plumbing services.
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How about electrical work?
Again, you’ll want to stay away from electrical because it certainly affects the safety of the occupants or owners. Poorly performed electrical repairs could lead to fires, electrocution, or even death for occupants.
The laws leave a lot of room for interpretation, as is the case with most states. Unfortunately, they will never give you a list of repairs you can and cannot do – as lovely as that would be.
So, err on the safe side and do NOT advertise any electrical or plumbing. Also, understand that even doing simple repairs like replacing a light fixture or ceiling fan could be considered electrical work, so you may want to avoid that as well.
What services can you provide as a handyman?
Despite these restrictions, there are still plenty of services you can offer without a license.
Here are some services that are likely safe to perform:
- Fence repairs
- Door repairs
- Window repairs
- Small painting jobs
- Drywall repairs
- Wall-mounting TVs
- Hanging pictures and shelves
- Installing baseboards and other moldings
- Furniture assembly
- Hundreds of other minor repairs
And if you can run a profitable business with these limited services, that answer is yes. I’ve helped hundreds of people do it.
Already offering handyman services in Oregon?
If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment below to share your knowledge or experience.
Thank you for this information. I too, found the Oregon websites on handymen to be confusing and lacking in information. I value this and thanks again.
Thanks for writing this article. My main question is what is considered small when it comes to painting jobs?
Small from what he said is under $1000.
Thanks for this article, it gave me some ideas . I am just starting up my business. however i have been working it for some time with family. just because i m the handy man in the family, everyone needs some of your time.
A friend is already working as a “handyman” but only small jobs and with minimal local ads. Craigslist has recently been a headache. It seems as if that title is not permissive for advertising. And people are responding negatively to the lack of “qualifications” the ads only hels phrases like “experienced but not professional” “home repairs, and maintenance” and clearly state “not a contractor, electrician, or plumber.” What would be a legal and approoriate title? Possibly just someboy with a business liscense. Maybe little or no other licensing. Does insurance affect this? Thanks!
I am a self-employed plumber and am always looking for handymen for things like drywall, small roof repairs, and the like. But if you so much as change a hose bib you are violating Cross-Connection and Control regs. and taking work from guys like me who spent $ on 65 semester hours of classes over 4 years and 7,700 on the job training hours just to get my license for half the wage and 10 times the risk (including possible time in jail)…so please don’t do it 😀
I am a full-time single dad who is just trying to make an honest living so I can provide for my son and I. I have worked for several property management companies in my community providing numerous services to homeowners. I recently posted an ad on Craigslist offering to do the same services I performed while working at the property management companies.
I received a call from the Oregon Board of contractors who basically threatened me with a $600 fine if I did not take down my ad. I even state in my ad that, “I am not a contractor”, I also state in my ad that, “no job is too small but some are too big and I will let you know immediately if a specialist needs to be called.” I just received a notice saying I need to pay the $600 or request a hearing. According to the law I violated in my notice that was sent to me, it says repeatedly, “offer to provide services as a contractor.” At no time have I ever claimed to be a licensed contractor so how am I in violation of the law? To top it all off after I faxed my response requesting a hearing a gentleman left me a voicemail from the board of contractors telling me to call him because I do not understand the law. I returned his call and this man basically bullied me and tried to make me feel ignorant in the attempt to settle. I asked him to please explain to me where in the law he said I broke have I broke it. He couldn’t and kept saying I couldn’t advertise. No where in the law he said I violated does it even mention advertising. He kept trying to use fear tactics and bully me into paying a settlement. I explained to him that I thought we lived in a capitalist free market society and that consumers had a choice as long as whoever was providing the service did not make claims to be something they are not. That seems like a basic human right. He proceeded to hang up on me so I called him back and he hung up again.
Being a single parent I understand that sometimes you don’t have time or the money to do certain things around your home or to pay a lot of money to have a simple job done that any homeowner could do. I plan on fighting this as far as I can. I understand licensed contractors pay a lot of money to be licensed and pass that on to the consumer. Why shouldn’t the consumer have the option to pay less to have the job done but understand they assume the risk by hiring someone who’s not licensed?
Government is WAY to big! If I was claiming to be something I’m not and provide services under that false premise I would pay the fine and go on with my life but this unprofessional bureaucrat feels consumers should not have the choice to make a decision regarding their own property.
I totally agree with you and if it were me in your situation, in view of how rude the CCB employee was with you, I think I would find a local Attorney who could file on your behalf or at the very least advise you–$600 is an absurd amount since you didn’t break any rules. There are ProBono/& low cost attorneys in Oregon. I would contact OSBAR.
In 2009 I posted an ad on craigslist. Was licensed etc for almost 30 yrs. It was slow. I Install flooring and countertops. But know about anything to do with a home and can fix. My buddy o ly does carpet and another only does plumbing. So in ad I yes claimed , and was, licensed etc. And then listed my main abilities. Then I included,,, Also, if you may need plumbing or Electrical, I have resources. I ran the ad for 3 months..then I got a letter. Not craigslist, and Not a call, a letter. In it, the CCB was issuing 2 fines. One for advertising I was an electrician and another was for advertising I was a plumber. Of course I’m a Speciality Contractor and Never said I was Either. I was trying to sturr up work. Any call for anything can lead to work. Well, get this. I finally, Wait, the fines , 3000$ for Ele post 3000$ for plumbing. I talked with them for days. They had canceled my license. I kept explaining, in ad I Never said i did either and was ment to get calls, even if all they wanted was plumbing i was going to give them my friends number.
Fuck no. He said 6000$ now or I’m out of business. I even had my 2 contractor s call he and they told him i refer them work all the time. I didn’t have 6000$ so went under the table. I had to wait 7 yrs for the case to close and fine gone in order to reapply for a new license . By the Balls for something i didn’t do. When i was able to reapply i came down with cancer. Ya i survived obviously. I’m clean now for 14 months. Noones a survivor for 5 yrs after any cancer treatment. But it was huge just to Survive the Chemo. Nasty Shit.
(I understand licensed contractors pay a lot of money to be licensed and pass that on to the consumer. Why shouldn’t the consumer have the option to pay less to have the job done but understand they assume the risk by hiring someone who’s not licensed?)
Would you use the same reasoning if you needed surgery?
I am 68 now and retired from construction work 20 years ago, but my friends , I make friends easy, encourage me to help them improve their living space, I would be happy to do it for free, you see I’m proud of my knowledge and skills, but I have a wife that insists on pay for my time. I cary liability insurance and could look into contracting but don’t advertise and am tired of the way we have to pay a tax to work, that is what all these regulations amount to. Thanks for the info.
why is it that someone on craigslist can post on gigs” looking for a skilled” flooring guy to performed a skilled job like tile, laminates and the like, but some with the experience cant advertise? Doesn’t make sense. Is it alright to post resume on craigslist looking for a handyman job. thanks Albert. whats aloud legally ect. thanks
So if I got jackets made with My own logo and stuff on them Would that be considered too much advertisement
Great page and great info, thanks!
I’m in Bend OR and considering starting a handyman service. What is the average pay per hour for a handyman in Oregon.
Thanks again
I won’t do anything for less than $40 an hour. Tools, trucks, fuel, blades and bits cost money. $25 sounds good as a wage but some folks shoot themselves in the foot that way. You’re not an employee any longer, you’re a business.
So there is no Handyman license in Oregon