Handyman or Contractor?

When looking for a professional to do work on your property, how do you know whether to hire a handyman or a contractor? Consider the distinctions between the two types of workers.

1) A handyman is best for small- to medium-sized jobs that require a wide range of skills and attention to detail.

These individuals are generally less expensive than contractors, but the work may take longer to complete. A handyman can do about $500 worth of work per job, per day and often works alone or with a small crew. The benefit of this is that there is less disruption on the property. Foot traffic from a contractor’s large crew in your property could be heavy.

2) Hire a contractor if you have a larger project, especially one that requires expertise in several areas, such as plumbing, drywall, electrical or carpentry work.

The contractor will coordinate all professional subcontractors and the timing of their work, and you benefit from having a single contact person. Also, most major projects, such as renovations and additions, require building permits that only a contractor can secure.