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I am looking to start a handyman-type business in Tampa, FL area. I cannot find a list of the types of servies I would not be legally be able to do without a contractor's license. Could I change a plumbing fixture? Can I hang a ceiling fan? Install a fence? Paint the house?
Hi & thanks for using JustAnswer.com. I am a Registered Residential contractor in Hillsborough County (Ruskin) and have been looking for a way around having to be licensed. There was a time when the Occupational License was considered by many to be a "license" when in fact it was a tax. recently this has been renamed as a tax, but in return for paying this tax you get some "privileges". They created a handyman's license. It is good for anything non-structural, and for jobs under a certain amount (I think it is $1500.00). You can find this on Hillsborough County's web site, and it lists the restrictions. I have lost almost all business to Handymen. They are perceived as a value, and as having experience- undoubtedly some do, but most are track home employees laid off & still own a hammer. There is no reporting mechanism for exceeding the dollar limit, so this looks like a viable alternative to state registration, continuing education, county licensing; all of which are the triggers for workcomp- so you can probably even skip that. These regulatory costs are not supported by the current work environment. In response to your inquiery, you can do all those things - IF - you get the Handyman's license. It is illegal in Florida to agree to terms of money for service ( FL definition of a "contract") without being licensed. I hope that this information was helpful to you. If it was please remember to click "ACCEPT" on your screen to make sure that I am paid for my efforts. By clicking ACCEPT you are not giving up your ability to ask more questions pertaining to this subject, and I will be happy to respond to these as well. Please take a moment and leave feedback, it is very important!
As a member of "track home employees laid off & still own a hammer" (I actually have 3 ) and first-time user of this service, I found your answer a bit incomplete. From those I have talked to at HC, there is no "Handyman's license" as you suggest, but rather a general business license/tax. Also, I am looking for something a little more concrete than, "I think it is $1500."
Where can I get this information, as I could not find it on their website. Is there some other form or brochure that mentions this? Also, I could also not find the list of restrictions for the "Handyman's License" as you mentioned. This list of restrictions is the meat of what I am looking for. Are there any state licensing issues that I will have to contend with?
I don't suppose you're looking to hire a guy with 3 hammers, are you? :)
Thanks,
Brian
Thanks for your help.
I'll look up the link for you. I saw a friend who is doing this and he said the limit was $2500. I do remember reading the site and noting the " no structural work" part. As far as state licensing is concerned it is actually state registration. It is a requirement to be able to pull permits. My actual license is Hillsborough County. back in awhile- Steve
Holy shit! I just finished talking with Hillsborough County building department. There is no Handyman's license. They do allow you to replace electrical fixtures and minor plumbing parts. The fixtures must already be wired(no new wiring). You can not replace a sink or toilet, just the flappers, valves, O-rings, handles etc. No new walls, bearing or non bearing. For a complete rundown call Dave Kennedy at(NNN) NNN-NNNN On the other side of the fence is the Hillsborough County tax authority. http://www.hillstax.org/tax/occupational_license.asp Read their forward! They claim paying the tax allows you the privlige to do "work" up to $1000.00(labor, materials, per job)under the tax category of "PUBLIC SERVICE-MULTIPLE SERVICES". see this link http://www.hillstax.org/occweb/occupational_category_search.asp?CategoryDesc=performs+services+for&fpdbr_0_PagingMove=++First++ They have a check list of what you will be doing that you must fill out in person. The list is not on the website. The fee starts at $22.00 and goes up depending on what you claim you will be doing. The state regulates the construction industry. Licensed electricians & plumbers have been filing complaints about "handymen" and this has resulted in the State calling Hillsborough and telling them it is illegal for anyone except a licensed individual to perform these works. The County does not have the manpower to chase down these minor infractions and is letting it slide. The State prohibits anyone from advertising(period!) without listing their State Registered license Number. All these Handyman ads are illegal unless they have a licensed individual qualifying their business,the qualifying license number in the ad, or include the $1000 limit in the ad. Again the County does not have the manpower to chase illegal ads. Because there is no license for handyman, there is no workcomp or liability insurance requirements by the County or State. However if you want to create a business "name" other than your own(exempt)you will have to register with the State & this will trigger the comp & liability issues. Read about it here: www.sunbiz.org I personally think it is a wonderful thing that Big government can't afford to enforce their intrusive regulation; but that means to survive I'll have to use the "if you can beat'em, join'em" rationale. The following is not legal advise and you must be aware that the State of Florida could prosecute you if provoked. By provoked I mean rip off a client, really screw up a job, fail to finish a job, piss of the wrong person, or any reason for a client to drop a dime on you and call the DPBR. That being said, If I were in your shoes, I'd run a handyman ad in the Observer or the Flyer. I would break a 10,000 dollar job into 10 contracts. I would make damn sure the customer was exceedingly happy (good for word of mouth business). I would make no representation that I am licensed by any authority, and I would pull no permits. Generally homeowners do not like the regulatory costs, any more than I do, and are more than willing to make repairs "under the table". The business tax shelters you from the charge of "unlicensed contracting" - $6000.00 fine)as long as the State can not prove YOU exceeded the limits of the tax privilege. The typical "it wasn't me" and too much time having elapsed to prove, beyond reasonable doubt, otherwise. The only other thing you can do is vote for conservative representatives to repeal regulation, assuming you don't starve to death first. ( has anyone tried using self-defense against starvation as a defense against charges of "working illegally"?) The fine for not pulling a permit is to double the permit fee. Now, with all this information, you need to make your own decisions. I hope one of them is to click Accept, and another to leave me a bonus for my 2 hrs of phone calls and online research.- Steve
General Contractor
35 years of troubleshooting construction, remodel, component & material failures. What to do next
and yes I can use a man with 3 hammers, but no i can't hire one because of the comp requirements & the Fed tax witholding requirements. I have avoided these issues by working alone.
I forgot to mention an option that makes any ficticious name or handiman legal- get a licensed contractor to qualify your business. This is basically a business arrangement where a contractor accepts your liabilities- you do the running of the business, the contractor vouches for your compliance with codes & regs. This is the next step up in allowing unqualified ( being licensed is a process of determining that you are qualified in the field of expertise) people to perform work otherwise restricted to qualified individuals.- At a price no doubt.