Knowing where the licensing line is
Most states draw a line between general handyman work and licensed trades. Electrical, plumbing, gas, structural and HVAC work typically require a trade licence, and many states also cap the dollar value of a single job an unlicensed handyman can take. The thresholds and the categories differ by state, and they are the single most common thing handyman businesses get wrong.
Taking a job on the wrong side of that line puts your insurance, your payment and sometimes your ability to keep trading at risk. Knowing exactly where the line sits in your state means you can quote confidently instead of guessing — and know when to subcontract instead of turning work away.
The widest job mix of any trade
A handyman business might do a two-hour repair, a half-day install and a three-day remodel in the same week, at completely different margins. Without job-level books, it is almost impossible to tell which of those is worth building the business around — and most owners guess wrong, because the busy work is not usually the profitable work.
The rest is foundation: your LLC, licences where you work, agreements and change orders so small additions get priced, and a quarterly look at which job types to chase and which to stop taking.
What handyman services businesses specifically need
- A clear line on what needs a trade licence in your state
- Any dollar cap on jobs an unlicensed handyman can take
- Service agreements and change orders for mixed job types
- Job-level costing across very different kinds of work
- Local business licences across your service area
- Subcontractor paperwork for the work you hand off
Where we start
LLC Formation & EIN Setup
Your LLC, EIN, operating agreement and business bank account, set up properly the first time.
Licensing & Permits
Every license and permit your trade needs, researched, applied for and tracked for renewal.
Bookkeeping & Monthly Close
Books kept current in QuickBooks, closed monthly, with a summary that explains the numbers in plain English.
Quarterly CFO Review
A quarterly sit-down with your numbers: margins, pricing, cash and the next ninety days.
Everything else we handle
- Payroll & Sales Tax
- Compliance & Registered Agent
- HR Setup & Hiring
- Business Plan & Projections
- Funding Readiness
- Contracts & Trademark Search
Frequently asked questions
What work can a handyman do without a contractor licence?
It depends on your state. Most states reserve electrical, plumbing, gas, structural and HVAC work for licensed trades, and many also cap the value of a single job an unlicensed handyman can take. We research the thresholds and categories in your state and give them to you in writing so you can quote with confidence.
Should I get a contractor licence?
If the work you want is on the other side of that line regularly, yes — it stops being a limit on what you can sell. If you mostly do small repairs and maintenance, it may not be worth the requirements. We lay out what it takes in your state and you decide.
How do I know which jobs are worth taking?
Job-level costing in your books, reviewed quarterly. Most handyman owners find one or two job types carry the business and a couple quietly lose money once drive time and supply runs are counted. You cannot see that without the numbers.