Get Quotes from Top Handymen in New York, NY

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Handyman in New York City?

Per the requirements of Subchapter 22 of The New York City Administrative Code, any individual or business that wishes to carry out repair or improvement activities on residential land and buildings in NYC must possess a valid Home Improvement Contractor License. However, this law makes exemptions for home improvement activities that cost less than $200. Note that performing home improvement work worth $200 or more in NYC without a valid contractor license can lead to a fine of $500 per offense and other city-imposed civil and criminal penalties.

Home improvement contractor licenses are issued by the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), and they can be obtained either online or in person at any of the following locations:

In-person applicants will be required to schedule an appointment via email or phone number (212) 436-0441 before visiting the above-mentioned offices. Certain eligibility requirements must also be met by applicants who wish to obtain a home improvement contractor license. These include passing a licensing examination, submitting proof of insurance coverage, paying licensing fees, and providing any additional documentation that the DCWP may require at the time of the application.

It should be noted that handymen who wish to provide specialty services such as electrical or plumbing installation and repair work may be required to obtain a separate Skilled Trade License from the NYC Department of Buildings. Likewise, in addition to obtaining contractor and skilled trade licenses, NYC handymen are typically expected to complete other business-related requirements before they can operate in the city. These requirements include obtaining a Certificate of Assumed Name/Business Certificate from the Office of the County Clerk in the borough or boroughs they intend to operate from and registering for a Sales Tax Certificate of Authority at the state level with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

You can make inquiries concerning the occupational and business licensing and registration requirements for New York City handymen by contacting the city’s DCWP at 311 or (212) 639-9675. Finally, you should always confirm that any handyman you intend to hire in NYC possesses a valid home improvement contractor license. This can be done via the Online Services Portal that the DCWP provides and maintains for this purpose.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Handymen in New York City?

Comparing the hourly rates of several handymen near you is a good way to ensure that you end up retaining the services of a legit handyman. Several factors affect the cost of hiring handymen in New York City, and you should always take these into consideration when contemplating the cost of your home repair. Some of these factors include:

• The urgency of the situation
• The specific nature of the job
• The types of tools needed for the job
• The types and cost of materials required
• The amount of labor required to get the job done
• Your specific location within the city

Request quotes for your home repair or improvement job from at least three handymen around your area of residence, and look out for any quotes that significantly differ from the others. This is usually a sign of fraudulent behavior on the part of the handyman, either through overcharging or by offering low bids to get you to hire them. Either way, consider this a red flag and strongly consider striking the handyman with the differing quote off your list of potential hires.

New York City handymen earn an average wage of $50,950 annually. The table below compares and contrasts the average hourly wages of handymen and other general maintenance and repair workers in New York City with those of workers in this industry across New York State and major American cities:

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Do You Require a Permit to Complete This Work in New York City?

The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) oversees building and construction-related activities within New York City, and permits issued by this department are typically required before these types of activities can occur. Nonetheless, exemptions may be made for minor alteration and ordinary repair works, including painting, plastering, cabinet installations, floor resurfacings, non-structural roof repairs, and plumbing fixture replacements.

Permits for works that do not qualify for exemptions can be obtained from the DOB online through its DOB Now: Build platform. The specific type of permit that will be required depends on the nature of the repair job, and resources for applying for these permits are also provided online via the aforementioned platform. Note that permit applicants may be required to provide proof of a valid DCWP-issued Home Improvement Contractor License and submit other forms and documents relevant to the nature of the repair, alteration, or improvement work. The DOB is also authorized to conduct inspections of permitted works at various stages and at the conclusion of the work to ensure compliance with all applicable NYC Construction Codes.

You can confirm whether or not your home repair or improvement project requires a permit and also make additional inquiries concerning the DOB's permitting process by calling (212) 566-5000. Inquiries can also be made by reaching out to the local NYC DOB Office in your borough of residence via the contact information provided below:

What Works Can You Do Legally as a Handyman in New York City?

Handymen in New York City can legally perform any type of repair, remodeling, alteration, construction, or home improvement work on existing residential property in the city. However, these professionals must possess a Home Improvement Contractor License issued by the city’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection before they can perform jobs worth $200 and above. Handymen who wish to work on new buildings or commercial property must register as general contractors with the NYC Department of Buildings or obtain a skilled trade license from this department for specialty areas like electrical and plumbing work.

Nonetheless, hiring a handyman with a valid contractor license is always a good idea, regardless of the home improvement or repair work cost. This licensing provides you with a measure of confidence that the handyman has the necessary experience to either satisfactorily perform the job or recognize when the situation requires the attention of a specialized skilled trade professional. In addition, you should get a clear idea of how much the handyman's services would cost you before finalizing any arrangements with them to avoid any financial disagreements after the job has been concluded. Cost estimates for some services commonly offered by handymen in NYC are listed below:

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Handymen in New York City?

Finding out the insurance status of your intended NYC handyman is necessary when searching for legit handymen in the city. Figures released by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics suggest that more than six percent of the fatal on-the-job injuries that occurred in New York City in 2020 were recorded among installation, maintenance, and repair workers. Choosing a properly insured handyman insulates you from any liabilities that may arise due to these on-the-job injuries and other work-related deleterious events, such as damage to your property.

Handymen in NYC typically have to provide proof of compliance with state-level workers’ compensation insurance coverage requirements before they can obtain locally-issued Home Improvement Contractor licenses. These professionals may also have to meet certain project-specific locally-mandated general liability insurance requirements, such as maintaining a minimum coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence, before they can pull permits from the city’s Department of Buildings. You can contact the NYC Department of Buildings at (212) 566-5000 to get details on the specific insurance requirements that apply to your home improvement or repair work. Handyman insurance-related inquiries can also be directed to the city’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection at 311 and (212) 639-9675.

Note that you should always hire insured handymen in NYC, regardless of whether or not these professionals have to meet any mandatory insurance requirements. To this end, always request proof of insurance from your intended handyman and validate this proof with the necessary insurance provider. Ensure that the insurance is adequate enough to cover both handyman and third-party accidents and injuries and any handyman-caused property damages that may occur during your home repair or improvement work.