It is mandatory to have a handyman's license in Massachusetts. But what does this mean for you? What is the difference in a handyman's or construction supervisor's licence? What about a bond? What does it mean to your customers? After all, you need to do all sorts of work, not just fix your house. How do you start? How do you avoid getting fined?
Registration for a home-improvement contractor
The first step in becoming a licensed home improvement contractor in Massachusetts is to apply for a home improvement contractor license. Fill out the application and pay $150 for your first registration fee. The Guaranty Fund Fee is $100. If you have four to ten employees, the fee increases to $200. If you have 30 or more employees, the fee goes up to $500. Your license is valid for two years. You will have to renew your registration every two year for $100. No Guaranty Fund Fee is required to renew your registration.
A home improvement contractor license is a must for any business that performs construction. This permits them to erect scaffolding, provide structural and mechanical service, as well as connect sewer lines and utility service lines. Home improvement contractors can also work as subcontractors, consultants and hardscape contractors. The Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs requires home-improvement contractors to hold at least two licenses. After you have been licensed, your home improvement business must be registered with them.
Home improvement contractor license
Two types are different types: the Massachusetts handyman licensing and the Massachusetts home improvements contractor licensing. Both licenses are required by state law. The state law requires that applicants be at least 18 and have three years work experience in building trades. There are no requirements for work experience. Many handyman license holders are registered contractors or supervisors of construction. This work experience must total at least forty hours per week. Upon passing the exam, the Massachusetts Board of Building Regulation and Standards issues a handyman license within 30 days.
The home improvement contractor license is required if you are planning to perform construction work in a residence for one to four families. However, it does not require any classroom training or testing. It does require three years work experience. These years must be worked over a period spanning ten years. Home improvement contractors can be both subcontractors and contractors, but a home improvement contractor license is necessary for structural work.
Construction supervisor license
Two types of professional licensure are available: the Massachusetts handyman and construction supervisor licenses. The first requires three years' experience in construction. This experience does not have to be consecutive, but must be full-time (40 hours per week) and within the past 10 years. Additional requirements are needed for the Massachusetts construction supervisor licence. You must submit an application to be eligible for one.
The Massachusetts handyman license exam and the construction supervisor licensure test are open-book tests. Online training can be completed by an instructor and self-paced. As there are several modules in the course, you can revisit each one as many times necessary. Each module has a quiz that will test your understanding. Below are the course materials. You will receive the materials within 1-2 business days.
Construction supervisor bond
If you are considering becoming a handyman in Massachusetts, you will need a handyman license and construction supervisor bond. You can obtain a license by passing a construction supervisor test, showing proof of insurance, and applying for a Massachusetts Tax ID. At least three years' experience is required to supervise construction projects. In general, you are able to supervise projects of no more than 35,000 square feet and walls no greater than 10 feet high.
Massachusetts permits handyman licenses only to those who are 18 and have three years of construction experience. It doesn't matter if the experience is specific. However, most handymen work with a registered home-improvement contractor or construction supervisor. The experience averages 40 hours per week. A handyman license is possible within 30 days after passing a written exam. You can apply for a Massachusetts handyman license by visiting the Massachusetts Board of Building Regulation and Standards.
FAQ
How often should I employ a handyman to help me?
It depends on the nature of your project. You might only need one handyman per work week if your job is a simple fix-it, such as changing a light bulb. For large-scale remodeling projects, you might need to hire several handymen.
Who will take care of my handyman job?
If you are looking for someone local to perform a one-off job, like replacing a light fixture or fixing a leaky faucet, you won't find a better price than a professional handyman. If you need multiple jobs, such as repairing a roof or installing new floor tiles, you might consider using a handyman service.
Handyman Services offers you ongoing support and maintenance.
Are handymen insured?
Yes! Yes. Many insurance companies cover liability claims that exceed $1 million for bodily injuries and property damage. This means that your insurance company will compensate you for any damage caused by an accident during the project.
What's the difference between a handyman or a carpenter, you ask?
Handymen can be hired to help with a variety of projects such as painting, plumbing and electrical installation, cabinet making, flooring, tile, kitchen remodeling, furniture assembly, and cabinet repair. Carpenters specialize in woodworking. They can build cabinets walls, doors windows, doors, stairs, decks roofs fences sheds, and many other things.
How long does it take to become a handyman?
To become a skilled handyman, it takes many years of hard labor. It usually starts with helping friends and family and gradually expands into a full-time career.
As you progress, you will learn all the necessary skills.
Statistics
- Another estimate was that the market in the United States was $126 billion and was increasing by about 4% annually. (en.wikipedia.org)
- An estimate was that in 2003, the market for home maintenance and repair spending was up 14% 2001 to 2003. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in May 2020, there are 1,357,630 handymen employed in the U.S.. (angi.com)
- With a strong housing market, the handyman and general maintenance worker industry are expected to grow by nearly 10% in the next decade. (housecallpro.com)
- “Once the pandemic hit, that number fell to about 20%.” (inquirer.com)
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How To
How to replace an outdoor faucet that is leaking
A water pressure booster, also called a diverter valve, is the best solution to this problem. This device allows you turn on different outlets and control where the water goes. This device helps to keep your pipes clean as any excess water that is emitted from an outlet will be pushed into the drain. Just flip the valve back over when you need to use the bathroom. Next, call a plumber to tell him about the problem with your plumbing system. He will inspect the problem for you at no cost.
1/2" copper pipe: This copper pipe is expected to last 50 years. However, it is important to keep in mind that your hot water tank should be vented through an attic window and not through a vent chimney. Most building codes require that a vented water heater be installed.
Additional costs could be incurred for repairs to electrical wiring. The homeowner may have to pay for damage to the ceiling and walls caused by the removal process. It's possible that the fixture is beyond repair, depending on how many years it has been in use. These cases could lead to the homeowner spending thousands of dollars to replace the entire structure.