Get Quotes from Top Handymen in Philadelphia, PA

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Handyman in Philadelphia

Handymen do not need a Philadelphia contractor license to carry out home improvement services in Philadelphia. However, per state law, handymen must register as home improvement contractors with the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General. To register, individuals must complete an online application or submit an application form to the mail address indicated on the form. Applicants submitting a paper application form can utilize the online resources provided by the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General as guidance. For further inquiries regarding the registration process, you can contact the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General at (888) 520-6680.

Handymen wishing to run a business in Philadelphia must register a business with the Philadelphia Department of Business and Self-Employment. The applicants will need to register their desired business structure online via the city's business service portal. Handymen must also get an Employer's Identification Number (EIN) through the Internal Revenue Service. All business owners must register for a city tax account irrespective of the business structure. Registration can be completed online via the Philadelphia Tax Center or by completing a business tax account application form and sending it via mail to:

Alternatively, applicants can submit the completed form In person at

In addition, businesses in Philadelphia must apply for a Commercial Activity License (CAL) from the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections. The applicant must possess a City business tax account number to apply for CAL online. All businesses operating in the city must also register with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania online via the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. If you have any questions regarding the registration of businesses in Philadelphia, you can contact the Philadelphia Department of Business and Self-Employment at 311.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Handymen in Philadelphia?

The cost of hiring a skilled and experienced Philadelphia-based handyman is usually influenced by various factors. These include the type of job that the handyman will perform, the materials they will need, and how labor-intensive the job will be. Getting multiple quotes from different handymen in your area is a good way to get a general idea of the charges they will likely charge you. This is also a good way to avoid getting into a situation where you end up hiring a handyman who overcharges.

Philadelphia handymen earn an average wage of $47,050 annually. The table below compares and contrasts the average hourly wages of handymen and other general maintenance and repair workers in Philadelphia with those of workers in this industry across the State of Pennsylvania and major American cities:

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

Your responsibility as a homeowner is to make sure that the handyman hired to perform the repairs on your home applies for all necessary building and construction permits. Typically, before a home repair or construction project can be carried out in Philadelphia, it requires permits issued by the city's Department of Licenses and Inspections (DLI). If your hired handyman is doing any of the following home repair work, you must apply for a permit. These include:

• Interior, non-structural alterations in single-family residences
• Limited commercial alterations
• Demolition of interior walls that are not load-bearing
• Residential decks up to 216 sq. ft. (excluding roof decks)
• Exterior window and door replacement with no change in size
• Masonry facade replacement (not applicable for historic properties)
• Above-ground pools and spas
• Roof covering replacement
• Security gates and grilles
• Wallcovering replacement
• Retaining walls

These types of permits do not require submitting plans, making these repair work types eligible for an EZ permit. Applicants can complete the EZ permit application online using eCLIPSE. Applicants who need assistance when filing the application form online can schedule a virtual appointment with DLI. Alternatively, you can bring the relevant EZ permits application form in person to the Permit and License Center of DLI after booking an appointment at:

To complete the permit application submission, applicants have to pay submission fees and meet other requirements before the required permit can be issued. Upon due review and approval of the permit by DLI, the applicants will be issued a permit. Once the handyman is ready to commence work, they must request an inspection through eCLIPSE or call (215) 255-4040. After all required inspections, DLI will issue a certificate of approval. For more information regarding the city's permitting and inspection process, you can submit an online request to 311 or call 311. If you are calling from outside Philadelphia, call (215) 686-8686.

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

In Philadelphia, home maintenance and repair tasks are typically handled by handymen who do not require occupational licensing. They carry out basic home repairs, such as replacing or repairing faulty electrical equipment, patching holes in the wall, and painting decks and walls. However, handymen who wish to carry out contractor, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work in the city must first obtain a trade license from the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections.

Notwithstanding that your handymen do not require occupational licensing make sure you confirm they have been duly registered with the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General. In addition, confirm if their business has been duly registered with the city before offering their services to you. Verifying that your intended handyman has the requisite skills and experience to handle the repair work properly is also good. One of the advantages of working with a professional is that they can help you identify tasks that require specialized skills.

It is crucial for you to inquire from your handyman how much they charge for their services before commencing work in your home. Listed below are cost estimates for some of the services that handymen in Philadelphia offer:

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

Hiring a Handyman with proper insurance for your home repair work is very important. It can protect you from potential legal liability should something go wrong while they are working on your home. This includes injury to the handyman or damage to your property due to the actions of the home repair professional. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020, over 70 workers died while performing general maintenance and repair work, and 23,400 sustained work-related injuries in the United States, including Philadelphia, in 2020 alone.

Even though Philadelphia does not require general liability insurance for handymen, it is still vital that they carry this coverage to prevent you from paying out of pocket when there is a loss. It is always good to ask for proof of this insurance before hiring a skilled professional to handle any work. Make sure you verify the certificates with the issuing insurance provider. Per state law, it is required that all handymen carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees. If your skilled professional works with an apprentice, you should also ask for proof of this insurance. You can get details about Philadelphia's workers' compensation requirements by contacting the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry at (717) 787-5279 or submitting an online inquiry.