Hire a builder or handyman

Building work covers everything from a sticking door to a new deck, and the right person depends on the size of the job. A handyman works through a list of small repairs. A builder takes on a project with structure, permits and stages. Many people do both, and the difference matters most when your job needs a license or a permit.

Posting the job lets you see who is interested before you commit, and the replies often tell you which of the two you need.

What builders and handymen on Taskovery do

• Handyman lists: doors, hinges, shelves, curtain rails, small repairs
• Carpentry: trims, frames, built-ins and repairs
• Decks, fences, gates and pergolas
• Wall and ceiling repairs, patching and finishing
• Small renovations: kitchens, bathrooms and alterations, with the licensed trades they need
• Windows and doors: adjusting, repairing and replacing

What to put in your job post

• A list of every task, numbered, with a photo of each
• Measurements where they matter, such as a fence length or a deck size
• What materials you want, or whether you want the builder to supply them
• Whether the work touches structure, plumbing, gas or wiring
• When you need it done, and any access or parking limits

License rules and checks, by country

Whether your job needs a licensed builder depends on the country, the kind of work and, in some places, its value.

• United States: Contractor licensing is set state by state, and many states only require a license above a set job value. Electrical, plumbing and gas work is licensed almost everywhere, whatever the job costs.
• Canada: Some provinces license or register builders, especially for new homes. Your province’s regulator can tell you what applies to your job.
• United Kingdom: Builders are not licensed, but structural work and some alterations need building regulations approval through building control. Gas work needs a Gas Safe registered engineer.
• Ireland: Builders are not licensed in the way trades are, but larger works can need building control notices. Gas work needs a Registered Gas Installer, and electrical work a registered electrical contractor.
• Australia: Builders are licensed by each state and territory, usually above a set job value. Check the builder’s license with your state regulator, for example the NSW license check.
• New Zealand: Restricted building work, which covers structure and weathertightness, must be done or supervised by a Licensed Building Practitioner.

Whatever the rules, look the number up yourself on the regulator’s own site rather than following a link the contractor sends. How to check a license and insurance walks through it.

How pricing works

Small jobs are usually charged by the hour, often with a minimum, or as a half-day or day rate for a list. Projects are quoted, with a deposit and then payments as stages are finished.

Never pay for a whole project up front. A deposit to cover materials is normal; the balance is paid as work is completed and checked. Our handyman guide has published hourly rates by country.

How it works on Taskovery

1. Post the job for free. Say what needs doing, where, and when. Photos help more than anything else.
2. Hear from verified contractors. Only contractors whose checks have passed can answer: a government photo ID, plus a business registration for a company or a proof of address for a sole trader. It is not a criminal background check and we do not check insurance, so ask for those yourself when the job calls for them.
3. Choose who does it. Compare replies, profiles and past work, and pick the person you want.
4. Pay them directly. You agree the price with the contractor and pay them, not us. Customers never pay Taskovery anything.

Guides that help with this job

• How to hire a handyman
• Handyman services list: what a handyman can do
• What to ask a contractor before you hire
• How to compare contractor quotes