Guides · Paperwork and licenses
Do you need a handyman license in Florida?
Florida Statute 489.103 lets you work as a handyman without a contractor license, but with an exact dollar cap: $1,000 in labor and materials combined, per job.
Updated 2026-08-22
What counts toward the $1,000
The cap adds everything together: if you charge $600 for labor and materials run $500, the job hits $1,100 and now needs a licensed contractor, even though each piece on its own looked like it was under the cap.
What you can't do
You can't split a big job into pieces to stay under the cap. Charging $900 for "phase 1" of a $5,000 project doesn't count as exempt work, it counts as working unlicensed on the whole project.
What never falls under the exemption, no matter the amount
Licensed-trade restrictions apply regardless of what the job costs: a $300 plumbing fix, a $400 HVAC repair, or a $250 electrical job always need that specialty's licensed contractor, even well under $1,000.
Where you can work without any issue
Swapping a faucet, hanging a fan where the electrical box already exists, mounting shelves, fixing a door, minor painting: that's exactly the kind of "casual, minor, and inconsequential" work the statute has in mind.
doubts
What people usually ask
Is the $1,000 cap per client per year or per job?
It's per individual job, not accumulated. But splitting a big project into several small jobs for the same client to dodge the cap isn't legal.
Can I do a small electrical fix if it costs under $1,000?
No, electrical, plumbing, HVAC work, or anything touching the electrical panel or a load-bearing wall always requires a licensed contractor, regardless of the amount.
What if I take on a job without realizing it's over the cap?
Confirming the total cost, labor plus materials, before accepting any job is what keeps you from crossing the line by accident. If it's already close to $1,000, it's better to pass it to a licensed contractor or partner with one. Sources: [Housecall Pro](https://www.housecallpro.com/licensing/handyman/florida/), [Bay County](https://www.baycountyfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3724/The-Handyman-Exemption).