Get Quotes from Top Handymen in Phoenix, AZ

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Handyman in Phoenix?

Handymen offering home repairs worth less than $1,000 in Phoenix are exempted from applying for a contractor license. However, per state law, where the project is worth more than $1,000, the handyman must obtain a license from the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC). The Arizona Registrar of Contractors reserves the right to refuse licensing for one year if the individual bids for a project worth more than $1,000 without obtaining a license.

The Arizona Registrar of Contractors offers two types of home improvement license, which includes:

• R-62 Minor Home Improvements
• B-3 General Remodeling and Repair Contractor

A handyman applying for this license must first identify a qualifying party, which is an individual who is regularly employed and possesses the experience and skills provided under A.R.S. § 32-1122(E). The qualifying party must then meet the relevant license requirement for the applicant's type of license. These License requirements include

• Passing the Arizona Statutes and Rules Training Course and Exam (SRE)
• Possessing a minimum of four years of experience.
• Completing a trade exam specific to the license type through PSI. It is important to note that the qualifying party may be eligible for an exam waiver.
• The qualifying party and the applicant must complete a criminal background check through ROC's online Licensing Background Check page.

ROC only issues licenses to applicants with a business structure, which could be sole proprietorships, partnerships, or limited liability companies recognized by the Arizona Corporation Commission (AZCC). The applicants must fulfill all registration requirements, like completing a transaction privilege tax application with the Arizona Department of Revenue and the Arizona Commerce Authority Small Business Services.

In addition, register the business entity with Phoenix and obtain an EIN Employer Identification Number EIN or Tax Identification Number (TIN) from Internal Revenue Services. You can contact the Arizona Corporate Commission for more information at (602) 542-3026. Meanwhile, businesses planning to use a trading name must register with the Arizona Secretary of State. For more information regarding the registration process of business entities and trade names, you can contact the Arizona Corporate Commissions and the Arizona Secretary of State at (602) 542-3026 and (602) 542-6187, respectively.

Applicants with a registered business must purchase a contractor's bond, a surety, or cash bond and provide proof of purchase to ROC. Once the applicant meets all license requirements, they can download and submit a License Application Form accompanied by the applicable fee for the relevant license type, their government-issued ID, and that of the qualifying party via mail to:

Alternatively, the applicants can book an appointment online to allow them to submit the completed application form, fees, and Government ID in person at:

You can contact the Arizona Registrar of Contractors at (602) 542-1525 for more information regarding the licensing requirement for handymen in Phoenix. Meanwhile, you can use the AZ ROC Contractor Search to verify that your intended handyman's license is valid.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Handymen in Phoenix?

The hourly rates charged by a skilled home repair or improvement professional in Phoenix are set according to the job's complexity and the situation's urgency. Other factors that affect the hourly rates of a skilled handyman offering home repair professional services in Phoenix include the complexity of the job and the materials needed for the project. This is why getting and comparing multiple quotes from different local handymen in Phoenix is a good way to avoid getting ripped off.

The estimates provided by a competent and experienced handyman should not vary significantly from those offered by other home repair professionals. However, it is essential to note that a quote difference might be a red flag if there is no genuine reason to back it up.

Phoenix handymen earn an average wage of $44,800 annually. The table below compares and contrasts the average hourly wages of handymen and other general maintenance and repair workers in Phoenix with those of workers in this industry across the State of Arizona and major American cities:

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

You will require a permit for certain home improvements and repairs you intend to carry out in your home. The Phoenix Planning & Development Department (PDD) reviews and approves permit applications in the city. The following home repairs and improvements performed by your hired handyman in your home will require a permit:

• Fences (over three feet tall) and retaining walls
• Replacement of existing water heaters
• Water softeners
• Electrical updates/rewires
• Room additions
• Projects involving gas line
• Porch enclosures
• Carport enclosures
• Some roof replacements
• Driveways and curb cuts
• Detached structures (over 200 sq. ft.)
• Wall removal and/or relocation
• Sinks, toilets, or tubs to be added or relocated
• Swimming pools and spas
• Alteration of hillside topography and/ or hillside vegetation
• Alteration of drainage conditions on the lot
• Ceiling Fans (if replacing an existing light fixture with a ceiling fan or installing new wiring)

The applicants must submit two sets of building plans to PDD's residential permit counter and a completed Construction Permit/Plan Review Application. Staff members thoroughly review the project's details to ensure that it meets the permit's requirements. Since home repair projects are minor, an over-the-counter permit may be issued. If it is not issued immediately, PDD must first approve the plans and then notify the applicant that the plans are ready to issue a permit. Before the permit is issued, the applicant must pay the applicable permit fees. Alternatively, the applicants can submit a permit application, plan submission, and payment of the appropriate fee online. If an applicant encounters any problem while completing an application online, they can contact PDD at (602)534-5934.

After issuing the permit, applicants must request an inspection online or contact PDD at (602) 262-7811. These inspections are carried out to ensure strict compliance with the city's Building Code, and it is carried out at several stages of the project. When all inspections have been successfully carried out, PDD will issue the applicants a Certificate of Completion. A homeowner must obtain all necessary permits before their project commences. You can confirm the city's permitting procedures and requirements by contacting the Phoenix Planning & Development Department at (602) 262-7811 on Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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

Residents of Phoenix can hire handymen with an occupational license issued by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors to perform home repair work legally. These handymen must also possess a business license issued by the Arizona Corporation Commission (AZCC) or the Arizona Secretary of State. These individuals can carry out general home improvement work such as porch and carport enclosures. However, it does not include specialized work such as electrical, plumbing, or masonry, which are carried out by individuals holding a specific trade license.

When choosing a skilled and licensed handyman, ensure that the person has the necessary licenses to carry out the home repair or improvement work they're supposed to do. It's also crucial that the person you hire has the essential details about the project to determine if they need the services of a professional.

Before starting any work, make sure you know the project's exact cost. There are various types of home improvement and repair services that a licensed and skilled Phoenix handyman can provide:

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

Hiring a licensed handyman with the proper amount of liability insurance is essential to ensure that you are protected in the event of a work-related injury or property damage. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020, around 4,700 workers died due to work-related injuries, and 2.7 million sustained nonfatal work-related injuries across the country. In Phoenix, licensed handymen are not mandated to carry liability insurance. However, they must purchase a contractor's bond, which may be a surety or cash bond, and must provide proof of purchase to ROC.

Nonetheless, before hiring a contractor or a home repairman, ensure that they have the necessary insurance coverage and contractor bond to complete the job. Take further steps to authenticate the validity of the insurance coverage by contacting the relevant insurance provider. You can contact the Arizona Registrar of Contractors at (602) 542-1525 to confirm that the handyman has duly registered their contractor bond. It is also essential to know that it is the responsibility of handymen with employees to carry worker's compensation insurance for their employees. You can contact the Industrial Commission of Arizona at (602) 542-4661 if you need more information regarding worker's compensation in Phoenix.