A handyman and handywoman have recently been referred to as a handyperson. A homeowner will contract a handyperson to do various repairs, mostly around a house or business. These services usually include trade work such as minor electrical, minor plumbing, drywall repairs, fence fixing, gutter repairs, and maintenance work. These jobs are often referred to as “odd jobs” and create a real demand for skilled workers who usually charge less than a licensed contractor.
Plumbing Contractor Or Handyperson? You Decide
Here lies the big question – Do you hire a plumbing contractor or a handyperson? Let’s start by saying a handyperson provides essential services that can be useful to homeowners and businesses. But like any trade or service, there are laws in place to protect consumers. When you hire a licensed contractor, you get a verifiably licensed, bonded, and insured person if anything was to go wrong. You can verify any licensed contractor’s information with the California State License Board (CSLB), unlike a handyperson. Additionally, it takes a contractor three years of apprenticeship or education in addition to one or two years of plumber training before you achieve the title of a journeyman. Furthermore, they have to pass a contractor’s exam to become a licensed contractor. If a plumbing contractor is a business owner, they must be bonded, and all employees must have workman compensation insurance.
Some Want The Protection Of A Plumbing Contractor…No Matter What
To answer the question, some homeowners prefer the safety and security of a licensed plumbing contractor. In contrast, others would rather save a few extra dollars and have their job complete by a handyperson. Either way, it would be best advised always to check the standing of your contractor’s license and to ask your handyperson for proof of a bond and insurance at the very least to protect yourself.
Background Checks On All Plumbers Before They Enter Your Home
Another thing to keep in the back of your mind is that your plumbing contractor has received a criminal background check by the CSLB. If they had a serious offense within the last seven years, it could prevent them from receiving a contractor’s license. At Big B’s Plumbing, we take customer safety seriously, all our plumber have received sex offender and criminal background checks from a third party called TheSeal.com. When the background checks are complete, they receive a picture ID with a QR Code to verify the information. It may be another question for your handyperson business, “Have you or those in your company that make contact with the public had a verifiable background check?”
SWIFT Is Catching Violators
A handyperson must stay under the legal construction limit of $500. A person who advertises a handyperson business must mention in their advertising that they are not a licensed contractor. If you advertise minor plumbing, electrical, drywall, and more without notifying the public that you are not licensed, you’re running the risk of law enforcement. In February of 2016, law enforcement ran a sting operation of unlicensed contractors. Among those who bid on jobs, 17 people received citations. Twelve of the seventeen received citations for false advertising. California does not turn a blind eye to violators. SWIFT (Statewide Investigative Fraud Team) is in place to catch unlicensed contractors.
There are some exceptions to the $500 limit. The exception being that “Sale or installation of finished products that do not become a fixed part of the structure.” For example, hanging pictures, installing shelves, and building furniture is fine, as long as it’s not a fixed part of the structure.
A Handyperson Fills A Need
With all that said, California is an excellent state to start a handyperson business. You can FIX drywall, doors, toilets, repair appliances, install ceiling fans, or hang a TV along with hundreds of other minor repairs. It’s not surprising that a handyman meets a need for home and business owners. In California, but make no mistake about it, they DO NOT have the same rights as contractors, and rightfully so.
We’re Ready To Exceed Expectations
When you need a licensed plumbing contractor to meet or exceed your plumbing needs, Big B’s Plumbing has you covered. We’re an accredited plumbing company with the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating. You can see hundreds of 5-star reviews across Facebook, Yelp! and Google My Business. Call us today, and you’ll get the service you deserve.
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