With couple Washington handyman license specifications and a substantial selection of single-loved ones residences, &ldquoThe Evergreen Condition&rdquo is a accurate paradise for starting a handyman business enterprise. If you have expertise in painting, roofing, flooring, dwelling repairs, water damage restoration, drain cleaning, or other household operate, you might be in a position to make a good deal of income in Washington as a handyman.
In this condition, the standard traces among a handyman and a general contractor are blurred. There aren&rsquot several constraints you have to fear about, so as you acquire a lot more encounter, it&rsquos fairly basic to get on larger sized and far more sophisticated jobs. Outside of plumbing, electrical perform, and a couple of other specializations, you don&rsquot have to have a different license to broaden your solutions.
This tutorial can assistance you understand how to get a handyman license in Washington. It also addresses what you will need to do to register a new handyman small business in the state.
Disclaimer: This article is not legal information. You ought to seek the advice of your area laws and a skilled lawyer for legal tips.
Do You Want a License to be a Handyman in Washington?
Washington condition doesn&rsquot distinguish handyman contractors from other construction contractors. There are no handyman licensing requirements in Washington or requirements for basic contractors to be accredited.
That claimed, certain specialties such as plumbers and electricians have to keep a valid license. Handyman companies in Washington are not able to complete any variety of plumbing do the job, electrical tasks, asbestos removing, boiler set up or upkeep, elevator installation or routine maintenance, or set up similar to cellular households.
Even though you don&rsquot require to have a unique license to run a handyman small business, you do need to register as a contractor. All professionals on the lookout to accomplish building, remodeling, installation, demolition, and fix perform should register with the Washington Condition Division of Labor & Industries.
Is There a Particular Handyman License in Washington?
Handymen and most other varieties of building contractors don&rsquot have to fret about obtaining a distinct license to perform. Registration is a should, however. When registering, you have two choices: specialty contractor registration or common contractor registration. What are the variances?
Specialty Contractors
A specialty contractor is only permitted to target on just one location of operate. Washington Point out divides specializations into 63 unique categories, together with masonry, HVAC, drain cleaning, welding, painting, roofing, closet set up, and a lot of other people. If you choose this alternative, you can make as a great deal revenue as you want, but only execute a narrow style of get the job done.
One particular of the specializations is HM, or handyman. If you opt for this specialization, you have extra liberty to present a vast assortment of companies (e.g., portray, restoring garage doors, fixing closets, and many others.) but you&rsquore limited in a several ways:
- You can only execute operate your self (i.e., no personnel)
- The employment are limited to residential repairs and routine maintenance
- The total expense of the task and resources can&rsquot exceed $2,000
- You can&rsquot take care of responsibilities that have to have a developing permit
Common Contractors
If you register as a normal contractor, you need to have to put up a larger sized bond, but you also obtain numerous gains:
- Standard contractors can conduct operate that involves any specialization (outdoors of electrical and plumbing)
- You can use subcontractors
- Your team can handle equally household and business perform
- There is no greenback limit to work opportunities
A lot of handyman corporations in Washington pick out the general contractor route since of the liberty it presents. If you&rsquore just acquiring started off and like doing the job by itself, you may possibly check out registering as a handyman specialty contract for a when till you see what sorts of function you favor.
Washington Handyman License Demands
Before you can function your handyman business in Washington, you have to have to get a couple of steps:
- Get a small business license: Choose a small business framework (e.g., sole proprietorship, partnership, and so forth.) and contact the Department of Income to sign up your new small business and apply for a organization license. This presents you with a Uniform Enterprise Identifier number.
- Attain a bond: Handyman firms usually need a Washington Constant Contractor Surety Bond. The bond demands are $six,000 for specialty contractors and $twelve,000 for normal contractors.
- Show proof of general legal responsibility insurance coverage: You have to show evidence of the ideal basic liability insurance policies protection just before registering as a contractor. The Office of L&I has to show up as the beneficiary or certification holder for the insurance plan.
- Fill out the registration kind: You have to comprehensive the Application for Contractor Registration and have it notarized. The nearest L&I business can assist you fill out the application if you want guidance.
For valuable information and facts about having a enterprise license and tax ID in Washington Condition, test out our detailed Washington standard contractor&rsquos license manual.
It&rsquos important to reiterate that handymen are not permitted to work with plumbing or electrical methods, even for slight household repairs, until they meet the ideal license and certification demands. This report about home transforming duties can aid you explain to the big difference between essential handyman operate and jobs that need highly developed certification.
If you want to grow your providers into these locations, there are distinct types of plumbing certification and electrician licenses available in Washington. The specifications rely on whether or not you want to conduct household or professional perform and generally contain many several years of apprenticeship beneath licensed plumbers. Washington has generous academic allowances, even permitting people 16 decades of age and up to get started off with their training.
Insurance coverage Requirements
Contractors in Washington are expected to have a normal legal responsibility insurance plan policy. The legal responsibility insurance really should have coverage of $250,000 put together one restrict or $fifty,000 for residence injury and $200,000 for community legal responsibility.
All businesses with personnel ought to also provide workers&rsquo payment insurance plan or coverage. Washington offers condition-funded staff&rsquo comp possibilities, or you can search for your individual business insurance coverage for detailed coverage.
The condition&rsquos commercial automobile insurance minimums are $25,000 bodily harm for every individual, $fifty,000 bodily damage for each incident, $10,000 house hurt for every incident, $10,000 personalized injury protection and $ten,000 underinsured property harm protection. This is known as a 25/fifty/10 coverage.
Washington Handyman Licensing and Registration Expenses
Registering as a contractor or handyman in Washington prices $117.90. You can effortlessly pay the registration cost together with your software at the closest L&I place of work.
If you&rsquore mailing the application, submit a examine or income buy in its place. Make the look at payable to the Office of Labor & Industries. Mail all of the documentation and your registration payment to the adhering to handle:
Contractor Registration
P.O. Box 44450
Olympia, WA 98504-4450
Handyman Instruction and Certification Applications
Washington doesn&rsquot provide any certificates for typical contractors, but there are numerous instructional possibilities to come to be proficient in home remodeling and mend responsibilities. These contain college classes in building management and trade university courses for HVAC, carpentry, design, welding, and comparable locations.
If you want to increase your perform solutions into areas these as asbestos removing or dwelling inspection, you can turn out to be qualified for these specialties. Receiving a license calls for suitable instruction and on-the-job instruction just before taking the examination. For home inspectors, the license requirements are completion of 120 hours of point out-accredited instruction, forty hours of fieldwork, and a passing score (70%) on the full test.
Distinct certifications or memberships, these types of as acquiring a home inspector certification or becoming a member of The Affiliation of Licensed Handyman Specialists, can lend believability to your enterprise. It is also important to comprehend basic organization concepts, which you can acquire via an online coaching method.
Handyman License Washington FAQ
What Transpires If I Do Not Have the Ideal License?
Functioning a handyman organization or yet another building enterprise without contractor registration is a gross misdemeanor. This can outcome in fines of $one,000&ndash$5,000. Just about every work in this situation is addressed as a different misdemeanor, also subject to extra fines and penalties. Even promoting your services without having being registered is a violation.
Carrying out electrical perform without the appropriate electrician&rsquos license results in penalties of $1,000 for the very first offense, $2,000 for the next, $three,000 for the third, and $ten,000 each and every time following that. Serious violations might even end result in double the penalty.
two. How Lengthy Is My Washington Handyman License Legitimate?
It&rsquos required to review your contractor registration the moment a calendar year. Renewal expenditures $117.90. Until the details has transformed (these kinds of as changing from specialty to basic contractor) you can spend the renewal rate online applying your contractor registration selection, UBI quantity, and credit history card.
3. Who Can I Speak to If I Have Inquiries?
For any queries about registering as a handyman contractor, speak to the Division of Labor & Industries at (800) 647-0982 or (360) 902-5226. You can also send out an e mail to ContReg@Lni.wa.gov for support.
Washington state has countless towns with more than 100,000 citizens, which includes Tacoma, Spokane, and Seattle. The condition has almost 3.two million households just waiting around for repairs and handyman work. All those are a great deal of alternatives for handymen to make revenue.
The normal handyman in Washington state makes about $33,000 a year, with several handymen bringing in in excess of $30 an hour for the base spend fee. If click this link now to you, a Washington handyman license can get you started out on the street to company ownership and contracting.
As a handyman skilled, you want to optimize your prospects. Registering for a Washington state handyman license exhibits employers and buyers your motivation to the handyman business. This guideline has everything you will need to know about registering as a home service experienced in this state.
Do You Have to have a License in Washington to Turn out to be a Handyman?
Washington does not supply a handyman license. However, general contractors and specialty contractors are essential to register with the point out's labor and industry board. Handyman gurus are referred to as specialty contractors who perform minimal perform on present attributes with a value a lot less than $two,000.
Specialty contractors
 must sign up to accomplish just one handyman trade or craft. Examples of trades/crafts incorporate equipment set up, asbestos/guide management, window installations, and building clear up. Listed here is a checklist of
 
specialty contractor trades
 as defined by the Washington point out legislature. To register as a specialty contractor, applicants will have to:
Be at the very least eighteen a long time aged with a substantial university diploma or GED.
Sign-up their companies with the Washington Secretary of State ($a hundred and eighty).
Apply for a business license ($19 – $24).
Get an employer identification range from the IRS.
Total a contractor software.
Acquire legal responsibility insurance policies (at least $250,000) and a surety bond ($6,000).
Typical contractors
 in Washington condition are licensed to carry out do the job in a selection of trades/crafts, including (but not minimal to) boiler/steam fitting, cabinetry, and closet installations. To register as a common contractor, candidates have to:
Be at the very least eighteen a long time outdated with a higher college diploma or GED.
Sign-up their enterprises with the Washington Secretary of State ($a hundred and eighty).
Implement for a company license ($19 – $24).
Get an employer identification range from the IRS.
Full a contractor application.
Purchase legal responsibility insurance (at minimum $250,000) and a surety bond ($twelve,000).
The
 Washington Condition Division of Labor and Industries challenges general contractor and specialty licenses. It is against Washington point out law to complete handyman function without registering with the point out's department of labor business.
You must know that the registration does not include building and business permits. As a handyman professional performing in Washington condition, it is your responsibility to get the needed permits to execute handyman solutions.
Accredited unbiased basic contractors in Washington charge as substantially as $one hundred twenty five for each hour. As an unlicensed handyman specialist, count on to generate amongst $fifteen and $30 for every hour.
How Substantially Does It Price tag to Get a Handyman License in Washington?
The price of a Washington state handyman license is $117.90.
How to Get a Handyman License in Washington
Washington condition does not have education and evaluation specifications for common and specialty contractors. You are needed to register as a business enterprise with the point out, have insurance policies, and get a bond. Whilst you are not needed to take common contractor courses, it is a very good idea to enroll in a schooling method to produce your abilities.
Normal and Special Contractor Teaching Courses
Free of charge Washington Condition Schooling Times
CITC Design Education
Workforce Enhancement – Master Builders Affiliation
Application Requirements
Be at the very least 18 several years previous.
Possess a large school diploma or GED.
Move a normal aptitude take a look at.
On-the-Occupation Working experience
Install appliances, awnings, and garage doorways.
Swap windows and roofing materials.
Modify, repair, and change existing structures.
Demolish existing buildings.
Renovate household and business kitchens and loos.
Put in residential and business fencing.
Set up cabinetry, lighting, and fixtures.
Method Courses
Project Administration
Protection Codes
Management in Strength and Environmental Style
Simple Construction Concepts
Washington Construction Restrictions
Washington Standard and Specialty Contractor Classes:
 Expect to pay at least $250 for each class. On line and classroom programs are offered. Money assist is usually offered for learners who go to accredited faculties.
Washington Contractor Examination Details:
 The condition of Washington does not demand general and specialty contractor registrants to choose an assessment.
How to Use Your Handyman License to Get a Position
After you sign up as a standard or specialty contractor, you can apply for a work. Right here are a number of methods to raise your likelihood of success:
In which to Locate Handyman Positions
I Employ the service of Building
Monster Careers
Without a doubt
Handyman Job Research Suggestions
Submit bids for contract get the job done with governing administration agencies and businesses.
Attend area and digital job fairs.
Advertise your contractor companies on categorized advert web sites.
Upload your resume to job search sites.
Create interactions with selecting administrators in the design marketplace.
Implement for at minimum a few work a working day.
Useful Handyman Position Interview Guidelines
Arrive at the very least 15 minutes in advance of your work interview.
Put together for your interview by working towards your interaction capabilities.
Use business enterprise apparel to the job interview.
Be positive and professional.
Handyman Field Trends
The handyman industry in the United States generates over $126 billion a year. Regardless of whether customers will need set up or restore solutions, they hire contractors to get the work finished.
Shoppers are working with applications to e book companies with handyman specialists on-line. These apps allow for buyers to timetable companies at convenient instances and spend for them on the internet.
Handyman field trade displays offer you an chance for contractors to understand about the latest trends. Well known contractor trade demonstrates contain:
The Countrywide Affiliation of Females in Construction Countrywide Meeting
PlanGrid Design Summit
Create Expo United states of america
Is My Handyman License Only Valid in Washington?
Handyman experts in Washington are licensed as basic or specialty contractors.
Washington point out does not present reciprocity agreements for normal or specialty contractors in other states.
I now have a license but:
I improved my identify – Speak to the Washington Point out Department of Labor and Industries to
 
improve your name on the registration
.
I misplaced the card – Post a
 
request for a duplicate registration
 (The price is $13.ten).
I improved my tackle – Make contact with the Section of Labor and Industries to
 
alter your handle
.
How Typically Do I Have to have to Renew My Handyman License in Washington?
Washington state handyman licenses are legitimate for two several years. The renewal payment for each license is $117.ninety. Registrants who fail to renew their registrations just before the expiration day must pay back an further $55.70 to renew their contractor registration.