A contractor is a specialist in his or her field: electrical contractor, plumbing contractor, construction contractor, etc. They often oversee a team that may consist of subcontractors who handle specialized jobs within the larger project. They are expected to be knowledgeable about permits and other such technicalities.
Handymen specialize in odd jobs. It could be replacing a broken cabinet hinge, stopping a leaky faucet or sanding down a gouge in your wood floor. The handyman is a trained generalist, and it was probably a handyman who coined the phrase, "No job too small."
To determine if you can use a handyman instead of a fully-licensed contractor, ask yourself the following:
GENERAL REPAIRS | |||
Door hardware replacement | |||
Drywall patching/repair | |||
Hot water repair/installation | |||
Painting | |||
Pet Door Installation | |||
Repair Broken Tiles | |||
Dryer Vent Clean Out | |||
Install/Remove RO Systems | |||
TV Mounting | |||
Window Calking & Weatherstripping | |||
Plumbing Repairs | |||
Storm Clean Up |
TENANT MOVE IN/OUT | |||
Repair /Replace Tenant Damages | |||
Get Home In Move In Condition |
FLOORING | |||
Carpet Removal & Haul Away | |||
Epoxy Garage Floor | |||
Tile | |||
Laminate | |||
Vinyl/Linoleum Tile | |||
Wood - Floating or glue down |
BATHROOM | |||
Baseboard Installation & Caulk | |||
Change Shower Head | |||
Exhaust Fan Repalcement | |||
Hang Mirrors | |||
Install Medicine Cabinets | |||
Cabinet Handles/Drawer Pulls | |||
Install Shelving/Cabinets | |||
Install Towel Bars, Paper Holders | |||
Re-caulk Tub/Shower/Sink | |||
Toilet repair/replace | |||
Replace Faucets | |||
Tile Repair | |||
Shower Door Replacement | |||
Tile Backsplashes |
KITCHEN | |||
Assemble /Install Cabinets | |||
Cabinet handles/drawer pulls | |||
Install/Remove Kitchen Sink + Caulk | |||
Replace Appliances | |||
Replace Faucets | |||
Repair/Replace Garbage Disposal | |||
Tile Backsplashes |
EXTERIOR | |||
Gate Repair | |||
Irrigation Repair | |||
Misc. Yard Landscaping Jobs | |||
Power Washing | |||
Storm Clean Up | |||
Window Screens, replace or rebuild |
LIGHT ELECTRICAL | |||
Appliance installation & haul Away | |||
Ceiling Fan/Light Fixture Replacement | |||
Micro Hood Replacement | |||
Replace Switchen, Outlets & Covers | |||
GFI Breaker Repair |
MAINTENANCE | |||
High Light Bulbs Changing | |||
Smoke Detector Install/Battery Change |
HVAC | |||
Repair/Replace Thermostats | |||
AC Filters install/replacement | |||
Repair/Replace Condenser Motor | |||
Repair/Replace Capacitor | |||
Light Maintenance & Repairs |