Do I need a license to be a handyman in Florida?
No state contractor license exists for general handyman work. Under §489.117(4)(a), local governments may not require a license for handyman services, painting, flooring, pressure washing, cabinetry, and similar small-scope work. You still need a registered entity, a business tax receipt, and general liability insurance, and you may not advertise a state license you do not hold (§489.127).
What work can a handyman legally do in Florida without a license?
Painting, flooring, decorative tile and stone, pressure washing, caulking, cabinetry, driveway work, stucco, fence and deck repair, junk removal, and interior remodeling that does not touch a licensed trade. The moment the job includes plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roofing, or structural changes, that portion requires the matching state license.
What is Florida HB 735?
HB 735 (2021) began preempting local occupational licensing for many job scopes. Codified mainly at §163.211 and §489.117(4)(a). Follow-up laws extended it; the changes fully took effect in July 2025.
How do I check if a Florida contractor is actually licensed?
Search the name or license number at myfloridalicense.com, confirm it is active and in the correct category, and request insurance certificates directly from the carrier.
Is a business tax receipt the same as a contractor license?
No. A business tax receipt is a local tax registration. It is not a contractor license and does not authorize licensed-trade work.
Can a handyman do a bathroom or kitchen remodel in Florida?
The cosmetic parts (paint, flooring, tile, cabinet install) are preempted and need no license. The moment you move a pipe, add a circuit, or change ductwork, that portion needs a licensed plumbing, electrical, or HVAC contractor.
For years, people in Florida have been told to watch out for unlicensed contractors. That warning is real. But fear by itself doesn't help. It leaves homeowners guessing. And it makes honest workers look bad too.
What's missing is simple. People need clear facts about what the law allows, and who they can trust. So we put those facts in one place. Every answer points you to the law itself. It's free, and it's made to share.
We did this for two reasons. First, to be clear with ourselves about what we can and can't do. Second, to share that with you. Someone helped us learn the right way to do this work. We want to pass it on.
If more of us share facts instead of fear, things get better. Homeowners stop guessing. Good workers get a clear path. Over time, we can turn this around — right here at home.
In that spirit, we offer you this — free, honest, and yours to pass on.
— 1st Integrity Property Solutions · Broward County, Florida