1 in 6 homeowners will hire an unlicensed contractor, with two-thirds believing it will save them money. Believe me, a penny saved is not always a penny earned.
The tragedy of hiring a casual laborer is that it can cost homeowners hundreds of times the money they saved, and worse, it can jeopardize their safety and nullify a warranty.
Many of these workers might not have current knowledge of building codes and many times the unlicensed contractor has not updated his or her education to know the latest requirements for your particular needs.
Handymen are hired to do odd jobs around the house that homeowners don't have the patience, skills or time to do. From fixing a leaky faucet to hanging an office shelf, handymen provide an affordable alternative for homeowners who don't want to hire an expensive specialized tradesmen or contractor to do the work.
Handymen are also commonly called in to tackle do-it-yourself projects, like assembling furniture or switching out light fixtures that seem too overwhelming for the homeowner to do.
By outsourcing small home improvement projects you can save a significant amount of time and energy however using a handyman that is not licensed or insured can put you at risk. If an uninsured handyman were to get hurt on your property while working, you or your homeowner’s insurance policy would be responsible for damages. And using an unlicensed handyman can makes things challenging to get fixed if something goes wrong. Unlike a licensed company you would be able to file a claim with their insurance company or through your state.
When homeowners look to save a buck, they often don't realize the project they thought was easy requires expertise; we’ve all heard the horrific stories for example a homeowner who attempted to do his own wiring rather than hire a licensed electrician.
• The homeowner made a series of mistakes, including connecting aluminum and copper wires of different gauges directly together without using a junction box. The wiring overheated and sparked a fire, and a state inspector ordered that the entire house be rewired. It cost nearly $20,000 to correct.
• A homeowner hired a handyman to build a carport onto his house. The handyman used materials that were too heavy and attached the carport only to the home's siding, not into the studs. The carport collapsed and crushed the homeowner's expensive car.
Your home is your castle! Homeowners should always hire a licensed and bonded contractor whenever the work involves a permit, codes, or has other community regulatory restrictions.
And you can always contact your state’s labor department to check on a contractor’s license and surety bond information.
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