How To Get A Handyman License In California

Before you go ahead to offer your handyman skills as a business in California, you must be acquainted with the laws overseeing such services in the state.

Going through the legal jargon might be hard to comprehend especially for handymen who know little about the law. However, this quick read is a simplification of the important information about obtaining a handyman license and starting a business in California, and what you stand to gain with or without it.

Is A License Necessary To Offer Handyman Services In California?

You can go about offering your handyman services in California without a permit or a license and no one will harass you, however, as is the case with most states, there is a limitation to liberty.

Below are some of the limitations you would encounter if you were an unlicensed handyman or contractor in California;

Limited Cost Of Labor

In California, if you are an unlicensed handyman or contractor, you cannot be allowed a project with a total cost beyond the $500 mark.

Even if you weren't spearheading the project, you are not allowed to participate in or be a part of a project that costs more than $500. Splitting a project up to meet the limit is also not allowed.

Limited Opportunities

Capture a visual image of a client needing to remodel a kitchen. You couldn't be a part of such a project even if it were to play a minor role that isn't worth as much as $500 because the overall project would obviously be worth more than that. The law makes your involvement in any part of the kitchen remodel illegal.

In addition, the law exposes a gray area by labeling any work an unregistered handyman does in the above situation as "inconsequential, minor or casual." It is hard to come to terms with this language, as most people are unaware of the implications.

Although the limitations in contract cost and opportunities might seem like a deal-breaker to your business, handymen still make a decent profit in California as the state has friendlier laws as compared to other American provinces. You could still do jobs like minor plumbing, windows, and doors repairs and installation, fan installation, fixing fences, drywall, toilets, and appliances repairs, to name a few.

In some states, without a license, you can't do minor toilet repairs or electrical appliances repair or installation without getting into trouble with the authorities.

Advert Restrictions for California Unlicensed Handymen

According to the California Contractor's License Law and Reference Book, " This exemption does not apply to a person who advertises or puts out any sign or card or other devices which might indicate to the public that he or she is a contractor or that he or she is qualified to engage in the business of a contractor."

By implication, although you are allowed as many contracts below the $500 mark without your license; you shouldn't be caught advertising yourself as a contractor. It means that even if you were to be doing an advert, you are to ensure you state clearly that you are unlicensed.

You could tell your clients that you are a 'handyman', but if you advertise yourself as a licensed contractor – plumber, drywall installer, or electrician, you'll get into legal trouble in no time. Also make sure to join an association as this would help you reach out to other people in your line of work to aid you in getting a license easily.

Exemptions of the Law

According to the California Contractor's License Law and Reference Book, " Sale or installation of finished products that do not become a fixed part of the structure ;"

By implication, an unlicensed handyman can perform a job that costs more than the $500 mark as long as the finished product installed doesn't become a fixed portion of the basic structure.

Therefore, you can hang pictures; build furniture install shelves and several other similar jobs without getting into trouble. However, the term "fixed part of the main structure" is a vague phrase that can be interpreted in several ways without having a real answer. This seems to be a similar issue in almost all the American states. So for your own protection and better interpretation of some of these license laws, make sure to join an association.

What If I Am Caught Carrying Out Contracts without a Contractor's License in California?

Below is an excerpt from the License Law Reference Handout;

"Contracting without a license is usually a misdemeanor. Unlicensed contractors face a first offense sentence of up to six months in jail 4 SECTION I. THE CALIFORNIA CONTRACTOR LICENSE and/or a $5,000 fine, and potential administrative fines of $200 to $15,000. Subsequent violations increase criminal penalties and fines."

It means it may be risky contracting without a license in CA and the liberty is just a hoax. In fact, a Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) closes down on defaulters on construction sites and the likes in search of contractors without a license. Make your decision now – to get a license or not!