Get Quotes from Top Handymen in Columbus, OH

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Handyman in Columbus?

Columbus requires anyone making repairs, replacements, remodeling, alteration, or additions to any building used or designed to be used as a private residence or dwelling place for not more than three families to obtain a Home Improvement Contractor License from Columbus Building and Zoning Services. A handyman must also have a contractor specialty license to undertake work in specialized trades such as refrigeration, hydronic, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing.

Applicants for a Columbus Home Improvement General Contractor license must have a minimum of three full years of hands-on installation experience in the 1, 2, and 3-family dwelling improvement field, as well as pass the Ohio Home Improvement Contractor 767 examination administered by an approved testing agency with a grade of at least 70 percent.

Unlicensed contracting is a minor misdemeanor in Columbus on the first offense and a fourth-degree misdemeanor on successive offenses. To verify a handyman's license in Columbus, use the Ohio Professional Licensure License Lookup Tool.

If you have any questions concerning professional licensure for handymen in the city, contact Columbus Building and Zoning Services at:

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Handymen in Columbus?

The nature of the activity, the type and cost of supplies required, and the job's expected labor requirements are all factors that determine the average cost of hiring a handyman in Columbus. Before deciding on the best handyman to hire, getting quotations from at least two or more Columbus handymen is a smart idea. This is also a good strategy to avoid being misled by con artists or overcharging handymen.

Handymen in Columbus make an average of $45,160 per year. The table below compares and contrasts the average hourly wages of handymen and other general maintenance and repair workers in Columbus with those of workers in this industry across the State of Ohio and major American cities:

Do You Require a Permit to Complete This Work in Columbus?

It is your responsibility as a homeowner to make sure that your handyman adheres to any building and construction codes that may apply to your home repair project. A permit allows a handyman to start work on a project. The application and any associated plans that may be necessary for approval begin the permitting procedure. These may include the site plan, elevations, list of materials for the project, copies of the completed application and list of materials, and payment of the Columbus building permit fee. Depending on the nature of the work, the plans are forwarded to various departments for review when the application is received. The permit is issued after each needed review has been approved, and work can commence.

The handyman, on the other hand, does not require a permit for the following tasks:

• landscaping
• Painting and wallpapering
• Kitchen cabinet installation
• Installation or replacement of a faucet
• Repairs to minor electrical systems

The four types of inspections in Columbus are electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and structural inspections. Each is responsible for ensuring that work conforms with code requirements designed to protect city residents and visitors' health, safety, and welfare. Use the Citizen Access Portal or call (614) 645 8235 to purchase a bundle of inspections in the form of trips, additional trips, or to schedule an inspection. To send your application in or inquire about permitting in the city, contact the City's Building and Zoning Services office at

What Works Can You Do Legally as a Handyman in Columbus?

In Columbus, the primary distinction between handymen and general contractors is that the former is seen as a generalist, whereas the latter is regarded as a specialist. Handymen also charge a fraction of the price of their general contractor colleagues. In the end, handymen are better suited to small and less complicated work around the house, such as TV mounting, but general contractors are more suited to major advanced jobs, such as plumbing and HVAC repairs.

Ensuring that the handyman you employ has the necessary experience and tools to complete the job is always in your best interest. Working with skilled handymen also gives the advantage of getting informed about tasks that require specialized skill sets. Below are price estimates for some of the services that handymen in Columbus provide:

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Handymen in Columbus?

In the event of an accident, simply checking that your handyman is fully insured can protect you from any financial and legal liabilities that such can bring about. Given the many variables involved in the course of a home repair project, it is possible for damage to your property by the handyman or harm to the handyman or other third parties to occur. As such, it is of great importance that your handyman be insured. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, general maintenance and repair employees in various areas across the country, including handymen in Columbus, had 70 fatal work-related injuries and 23,400 nonfatal work-related injuries in just one year.

As one of the requirements for acquiring a contractor license in Columbus is for handymen to have general liability insurance, it is in your best interest as a homeowner to confirm that your chosen handyman has one. If you are held liable for property damage or third-party injuries, general liability insurance can help protect your interests. This sort of insurance can pay for medical care or property damage repair and replacement costs. It is also a good idea to check if the handyman has worker's liability insurance if there are employees involved. For inquiries about insurance for handymen in Columbus, contact the Ohio Department of Insurance at: