How to Hire a Handyman in Miami: Red Flags Checklist
The biggest red flags when hiring a handyman are a large cash-only deposit, no proof of insurance, no written quote or scope, pressure to decide on the spot, and an offer to do licensed work like electrical panels or repiping without a licence. The best way to find a good one is to check real reviews, ask for a certificate of insurance and get a written flat price for the whole job before booking.
What are the red flags when hiring a handyman?
- Asks for a large deposit upfront, especially cash only, for a small job
- Cannot or will not provide a certificate of insurance
- Offers to do licensed work — panel upgrades, new circuits, repiping, water heaters, roofing — without a licence
- Suggests skipping permits to save you money
- No written quote, or a vague one like 'we will see how long it takes'
- Pressure to decide today or a price that only holds if you pay now
- No reviews anywhere, or only reviews that look copied
- Changes the price at the door without a change in scope
What is the best way to find a good handyman in Miami?
Start with reviews on platforms where customers post independently, such as Yelp and Google. Read the specific ones: do people mention showing up on time, the price matching the quote, clean-up, and how problems were handled? A handful of detailed reviews tells you more than a large number of one-line ones.
Then ask for a written quote for your actual job. Send photos, describe every item and ask for the total. A pro who quotes clearly upfront is usually the same pro who works clearly on site.
Questions to ask before you book
- Are you insured, and can you send a certificate of insurance to my building?
- Is this a flat price for the whole job or an hourly estimate?
- What exactly is included, and who supplies the materials?
- What happens if the job takes longer than expected?
- Is any part of this job licensed work that needs a different contractor?
- When and how do I pay?
- What happens if something is not right afterwards?
Insurance and licences: what to check
Florida does not issue a handyman licence, so for minor repairs the key checks are insurance and reputation. Many Miami condo buildings will not let a vendor in without a certificate of insurance naming the association, so a handyman who works in condos regularly should be able to send one quickly.
For licensed trades — electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, general contracting — check the licence on the Florida DBPR licence search at myfloridalicense.com and make sure it is active and matches the work. A handyman who tells you a job needs a licensed trade is being honest, not unhelpful.
Condo-specific checks
- Confirm the building's vendor rules and work hours before booking
- Make sure the certificate of insurance goes to management in advance
- Reserve the service elevator if the building requires it
- Check rules on balcony work, exterior changes, cameras and noise
How Double Handyman works
Double Handyman is rated 5.0 on Yelp, and every review on our site is a real Yelp review, quoted as written. We are insured and send a certificate of insurance to your management office when required, every pro is background-checked and carries ID, and we quote one flat price before booking. You pay after the work is done and you are happy with it. We stick to minor repairs and installations and tell you plainly when a job needs a licensed contractor.
By the Double Handyman team · Updated
Your Questions, Answered
What are some red flags when hiring a handyman?
Large cash-only deposits, no proof of insurance, no written quote, pressure to decide immediately and offers to do licensed electrical or plumbing work without a licence are the main red flags. Any one of them is a reason to keep looking.
What is the best way to find a good handyman?
Read detailed reviews on independent sites like Yelp and Google, ask for a certificate of insurance and get a written price for your exact job before booking. Clear quoting upfront is a strong sign of clear work on site.
Should I pay a handyman upfront?
For small jobs, a large upfront payment is a warning sign. It is reasonable to pay for special-order materials in advance with a receipt, but labour is usually paid on completion. Double Handyman is paid after the work is done.
How do I check if a handyman is insured?
Ask for a certificate of insurance and check the policy dates and business name. If you live in a condo, have it sent directly to your management office, which will usually verify it.
Does a handyman need a license in Florida?
Not for minor repairs. Florida does not require a state contractor licence for handyman work such as mounting, assembly, drywall patching, caulking, door adjustment and swapping like-for-like fixtures. Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing and structural work must be done by licensed contractors. Double Handyman sticks to the minor-repair side of that line and tells you plainly when a job belongs with a licensed trade.
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