The only reason I would not, would have to be the license and bond issue (assuming the handyman is unlicensed). If something were to go wrong with the project because of the handyman, and the handyman said “well sorry, see’ya” the home owner would be stuck with the cost to fix what the handyman messed up along with court fees etc. Where as if a licensed and bonded and/or insured (hopefully insured) contractor did the same thing, then the home owner has a very good chance of getting money back and it is hopefully enough to cover the cost of the damage. I’m sure there are more reason as to why not to hire a (unlicensed) handyman.
The handyman is usually cheaper because sometimes can save on insurance, licence, permits, etc. But…your choice. Someone must know what he is doing, if not homeowner, then at least the contractor should.
A handyman is great for small repairs and installations, but I wouldn’t let a handyman handle any remodeling project for the following reasons:
- He is not licensed which means he is not held to any workmanship standards and he is not familiar with the current city requirements and regulations.
- He is not bonded or insured which leaves you hanging if he damages your home or disappears with your money
- He does not carry a worker’s comp coverage which leaves you open to law suits, in case any worker is to get injured on your property
- He is usually a jack of all trades and not a one trade professional.
- A few weeks project can turn into a few months nightmare since he doesn’t have the system in place to handle projects,
- A handyman is not offering any guaranty or warranty on the work, were a contractor is required by law. (up to 4 years for a remodeling job)
- He doesn’t deal with permits; your work is not going to be inspected.
Referrals and word of mouth are still the best ways to track down a reputable bathroom remodeling contractor. When the renovations are done on a professional level, and the customers are happy, this is how service industry businesses grow and prosper. So, if your neighbor, friend, coworker or family member was satisfied with a recent remodeling job, ask them for the service contractor’s contact information so that you can get in touch to get an estimate.
Choose a remodeling contractor who has established a good reputation and solid work experience. Hiring a new company that you know nothing about can be risky, especially if it’s unable to give you references from previous clients.
When you’ve narrowed down your choices, contact several remodeling contractors, and arrange for them to come to your home to give you written estimates. Make sure that the contractor is licensed, insured and offers a guarantee on his or her work.
No, a handyman probably is a handyman because he doesn’t want to be a contractor. A handyman does repairs while a contractor does new installs.