What a Handyman Can (and Can't) Legally Do in Florida

Does a handyman need a license in Florida?

Not for minor repairs. Florida licenses contractors under Chapter 489 of the Florida Statutes, and that chapter covers construction trades such as general, building, residential, roofing, plumbing, HVAC and electrical work. There is no separate state licence called a handyman licence. A handyman doing small, non-structural repairs that do not require a permit is generally outside that licensing system.

Handymen still need to be set up as a business. In practice that usually means a local business tax receipt from the city or county where they operate, and insurance if they want to work in condo buildings, which almost always ask for a certificate of insurance. Some counties, including Miami-Dade and Broward, also regulate certain specialty trades locally, so the rules for a specific job can depend on where you live.

What a handyman can generally do

• Mounting and hanging: TVs, art, mirrors, shelves, curtain rods
• Furniture and equipment assembly
• Drywall patching, texture matching and small paint touch-ups
• Caulking, trim, baseboards and minor carpentry
• Door adjustment, door hardware, locks and smart locks
• Like-for-like swaps of light fixtures, fans, switches and dimmers on an existing box and circuit
• Fixture-level plumbing: faucets, showerheads, toilet parts and garbage disposals on existing connections
• Seasonal installation and removal of existing hurricane shutter panels

What a handyman cannot do in Florida

The line is about licensed trades, structural changes and permits. If a job needs a permit or falls inside a licensed trade, a handyman should not take it on, no matter how small it looks.

• New electrical circuits, new boxes, panel work or rewiring
• Repiping, moving drains, water heaters, in-wall or slab leaks, sewer and main lines
• Installing, repairing or replacing HVAC equipment and ductwork
• Roofing of any kind
• Structural work: load-bearing walls, framing changes, additions
• New hurricane shutter systems, impact windows and exterior doors, which need permits and product approval
• Any job that requires a building permit

Can a handyman replace a toilet in Florida?

Replacing toilet parts — the fill valve, flapper, seat or wax ring on an existing toilet — is fixture-level work a handyman commonly does. Whether swapping a whole toilet counts as minor work is less clear-cut — local rules and building policies vary — so ask before you book; at Double Handyman we handle the repair side and tell you plainly when a replacement belongs with a licensed plumber. Moving a toilet, changing the drain or anything inside the wall or under the slab is licensed plumbing work.

The same logic applies to faucets and garbage disposals: a direct swap on existing connections is minor work; new supply lines, new drains or a disposal that needs a new outlet is a job for a licensed plumber or electrician.

Why the line matters to you as a homeowner

Unlicensed work on licensed trades can cause problems with insurance claims, condo associations and selling your home, and the work itself may not be safe. A good handyman tells you when a job crosses the line instead of improvising. That is how we work: Double Handyman sticks to minor repairs and installations and says plainly when a job belongs with a licensed trade.

How to check a contractor's licence in Florida

For licensed trades, look the contractor up on the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation licence search at myfloridalicense.com. Search by name or licence number and check that the licence is active and matches the trade you are hiring for. For locally licensed specialty trades, your county's contractor licensing office can confirm status. This guide is general information, not legal advice; for a specific project, ask your building department.