With few Washington handyman license specifications and a significant quantity of single-household residences, &ldquoThe Evergreen Condition&rdquo is a genuine paradise for starting off a handyman small business. If you have experience in portray, roofing, flooring, property repairs, drinking water destruction restoration, drain cleansing, or other residential work, you could be capable to make a lot of money in Washington as a handyman.
In this state, the traditional strains among a handyman and a general contractor are blurred. There aren&rsquot a lot of limitations you have to stress about, so as you acquire additional experience, it&rsquos rather very simple to acquire on larger sized and a lot more complex work opportunities. Outdoors of plumbing, electrical get the job done, and a handful of other specializations, you don&rsquot require a unique license to increase your services.
This guide can help you study how to get a handyman license in Washington. It also handles what you want to do to sign up a new handyman business enterprise in the state.
Disclaimer: This post is not authorized tips. You must seek advice from your area restrictions and a qualified legal professional for legal assistance.
Do You Need to have a License to be a Handyman in Washington?
Washington condition doesn&rsquot distinguish handyman contractors from other building contractors. There are no handyman licensing requirements in Washington or specifications for basic contractors to be licensed.
That said, certain specialties these as plumbers and electricians should maintain a legitimate license. Handyman companies in Washington can not accomplish any sort of plumbing work, electrical responsibilities, asbestos elimination, boiler installation or maintenance, elevator set up or upkeep, or set up similar to cellular households.
Even nevertheless you don&rsquot need to have a unique license to run a handyman organization, you do need to have to sign-up as a contractor. All industry experts looking to conduct construction, reworking, set up, demolition, and repair work will have to register with the Washington Condition Office of Labor & Industries.
Is There a Distinct Handyman License in Washington?
Handymen and most other styles of development contractors don&rsquot have to get worried about getting a specific license to function. Registration is a need to, having said that. When registering, you have two selections: specialty contractor registration or general contractor registration. What are the differences?
Specialty Contractors
A specialty contractor is only authorized to emphasis on a single place of do the job. Washington Point out divides specializations into 63 various types, which include masonry, HVAC, drain cleaning, welding, portray, roofing, closet set up, and lots of other folks. If you pick this choice, you can make as substantially dollars as you want, but only complete a slim sort of get the job done.
1 of the specializations is HM, or handyman. If you pick this specialization, you have far more liberty to provide a extensive array of solutions (e.g., portray, fixing garage doorways, repairing closets, and many others.) but you&rsquore confined in a handful of approaches:
- You can only complete do the job on your own (i.e., no employees)
- The positions are restricted to household repairs and maintenance
- The total price tag of the work and elements can&rsquot exceed $2,000
- You can&rsquot tackle tasks that have to have a setting up allow
Common Contractors
If you sign-up as a standard contractor, you need to put up a bigger bond, but you also acquire many added benefits:
- Standard contractors can execute work that involves any specialization (outdoors of electrical and plumbing)
- You can employ the service of subcontractors
- Your crew can handle the two residential and commercial function
- There is no greenback limit to employment
Many handyman corporations in Washington select the typical contractor route mainly because of the freedom it presents. If you&rsquore just acquiring began and choose working by yourself, you may well try registering as a handyman specialty deal for a whilst right up until you see what types of perform you prefer.
Washington Handyman License Requirements
Right before you can work your handyman business enterprise in Washington, you need to take a couple ways:
- Get a small business license: Choose a business enterprise construction (e.g., sole proprietorship, partnership, etc.) and contact the Section of Earnings to sign up your new company and implement for a organization license. This presents you with a Uniform Enterprise Identifier number.
- Acquire a bond: Handyman corporations often need a Washington Ongoing Contractor Surety Bond. The bond requirements are $6,000 for specialty contractors and $twelve,000 for general contractors.
- Show evidence of general legal responsibility insurance plan: You have to present proof of the proper typical liability insurance coverage coverage ahead of registering as a contractor. The Division of L&I has to look as the beneficiary or certification holder for the insurance policies plan.
- Fill out the registration kind: You have to entire the Application for Contractor Registration and have it notarized. The closest L&I office can enable you fill out the software if you want aid.
For handy info about obtaining a business license and tax ID in Washington State, test out our thorough Washington standard contractor&rsquos license guide.
It&rsquos important to reiterate that handymen are not authorized to do the job with plumbing or electrical methods, even for small household repairs, unless of course they satisfy the appropriate license and certification necessities. This post about home transforming jobs can assist you tell the variance involving fundamental handyman operate and positions that have to have sophisticated certification.
If you want to expand your companies into these spots, there are various sorts of plumbing certification and electrician licenses available in Washington. you can try here depend on regardless of whether you want to conduct residential or commercial function and generally require various decades of apprenticeship under accredited plumbers. Washington has generous instructional allowances, even allowing individuals 16 several years of age and up to get started out with their teaching.
Insurance plan Prerequisites
Contractors in Washington are necessary to have a common liability insurance plan plan. The legal responsibility insurance policy really should have protection of $250,000 mixed one restrict or $fifty,000 for home problems and $200,000 for public legal responsibility.
All organizations with staff must also present workers&rsquo compensation coverage or coverage. Washington features condition-funded personnel&rsquo comp choices, or you can search for your possess company insurance for in depth coverage.
The condition&rsquos commercial automobile insurance minimums are $25,000 bodily damage per person, $fifty,000 bodily harm per incident, $ten,000 property harm per accident, $10,000 personal harm protection and $10,000 underinsured home destruction protection. This is identified as a twenty five/fifty/10 policy.
Washington Handyman Licensing and Registration Charges
Registering as a contractor or handyman in Washington expenditures $117.ninety. You can simply fork out the registration rate along with your application at the nearest L&I business office.
If you&rsquore mailing the software, submit a examine or money get rather. Make the check out payable to the Division of Labor & Industries. Ship all of the documentation and your registration payment to the following address:
Contractor Registration
P.O. Box 44450
Olympia, WA 98504-4450
Handyman Coaching and Certification Courses
Washington doesn&rsquot present any certificates for general contractors, but there are numerous academic chances to develop into proficient in household remodeling and restore jobs. These involve college courses in building management and trade college courses for HVAC, carpentry, building, welding, and related areas.
If you want to broaden your do the job solutions into places these kinds of as asbestos removing or dwelling inspection, you can turn into qualified for these specialties. Finding a license demands correct education and learning and on-the-job coaching before getting the exam. For home inspectors, the license prerequisites are completion of one hundred twenty several hours of condition-accepted instruction, forty hours of fieldwork, and a passing rating (70%) on the whole exam.
Certain certifications or memberships, this sort of as obtaining a dwelling inspector certificate or becoming a member of The Affiliation of Licensed Handyman Industry experts, can lend believability to your small business. It is also critical to realize fundamental company principles, which you can achieve through an online education software.
Handyman License Washington FAQ
What Takes place If I Do Not Have the Appropriate License?
Functioning a handyman business or a further design business enterprise without contractor registration is a gross misdemeanor. This can outcome in fines of $1,000&ndash$5,000. Each and every career in this problem is taken care of as a different misdemeanor, also subject matter to supplemental fines and penalties. Even promoting your solutions devoid of remaining registered is a violation.
Carrying out electrical get the job done without the acceptable electrician&rsquos license results in penalties of $1,000 for the 1st offense, $two,000 for the 2nd, $three,000 for the third, and $10,000 every single time following that. Continue Reading may possibly even final result in double the penalty.
2. How Long Is My Washington Handyman License Valid?
It&rsquos needed to evaluation your contractor registration once a year. Renewal charges $117.ninety. Unless of course the details has altered (this sort of as shifting from specialty to common contractor) you can pay back the renewal price on-line working with your contractor registration variety, UBI quantity, and credit card.
three. Who Can I Speak to If I Have Queries?
For any issues about registering as a handyman contractor, make contact with the Office of Labor & Industries at (800) 647-0982 or (360) 902-5226. You can also deliver an e mail to ContReg@Lni.wa.gov for assistance.
Washington point out has countless metropolitan areas with about 100,000 residents, including Tacoma, Spokane, and Seattle. The state has almost three.2 million properties just waiting around for repairs and handyman do the job. People are a great deal of opportunities for handymen to make money.
The common handyman in Washington point out would make about $33,000 a calendar year, with quite a few handymen bringing in more than $30 an hour for the base pay back rate. If dwelling improvement appeals to you, a Washington handyman license can get you began on the street to business enterprise possession and contracting.
As a handyman skilled, you want to increase your prospects. Registering for a Washington condition handyman license shows businesses and prospects your dedication to the handyman field. This information includes almost everything you will need to know about registering as a home support specialist in this condition.
Do You Have to have a License in Washington to Turn into a Handyman?
Washington does not supply a handyman license. Having said that, standard contractors and specialty contractors are essential to sign up with the point out's labor and marketplace board. Handyman experts are referred to as specialty contractors who execute minimal work on existing qualities with a worth significantly less than $2,000.
Specialty contractors
 must register to accomplish one handyman trade or craft. Illustrations of trades/crafts include things like equipment installation, asbestos/lead administration, window installations, and development thoroughly clean up. Right here is a list of
 
specialty contractor trades
 as defined by the Washington point out legislature. To register as a specialty contractor, applicants need to:
Be at the very least 18 yrs aged with a superior faculty diploma or GED.
Sign-up their companies with the Washington Secretary of State ($a hundred and eighty).
Implement for a organization license ($19 – $24).
Get an employer identification number from the IRS.
Comprehensive a contractor software.
Buy legal responsibility insurance plan (at the very least $250,000) and a surety bond ($six,000).
Basic contractors
 in Washington state are licensed to perform operate in a selection of trades/crafts, which include (but not limited to) boiler/steam fitting, cabinetry, and closet installations. To register as a common contractor, candidates should:
Be at the very least 18 several years old with a higher college diploma or GED.
Sign up their companies with the Washington Secretary of Condition ($a hundred and eighty).
Use for a small business license ($19 – $24).
Get an employer identification quantity from the IRS.
Finish a contractor software.
Order legal responsibility insurance (at the very least $250,000) and a surety bond ($12,000).
The
 Washington Point out Section of Labor and Industries challenges common contractor and specialty licenses. It is against Washington state law to carry out handyman operate with no registering with the state's division of labor business office.
You must know that the registration does not incorporate creating and business enterprise permits. As a handyman qualified doing work in Washington state, it is your duty to attain the essential permits to complete handyman providers.
Licensed unbiased typical contractors in Washington charge as a lot as $125 for each hour. As an unlicensed handyman experienced, expect to get paid in between $15 and $thirty per hour.
How A lot Does It Charge to Get a Handyman License in Washington?
The charge of a Washington state handyman license is $117.90.
How to Get a Handyman License in Washington
Washington state does not have schooling and evaluation needs for common and specialty contractors. You are demanded to sign-up as a enterprise with the point out, possess insurance plan, and get a bond. Though you are not required to get basic contractor courses, it is a good concept to enroll in a schooling application to produce your techniques.
General and Unique Contractor Training Plans
No cost Washington Condition Education Days
CITC Building Instruction
Workforce Advancement – Master Builders Affiliation
Program Needs
Be at the very least eighteen decades old.
Possess a higher faculty diploma or GED.
Go a standard aptitude check.
On-the-Position Practical experience
Set up appliances, awnings, and garage doors.
Replace windows and roofing products.
Modify, repair, and change present constructions.
Demolish existing constructions.
Renovate household and business kitchens and bogs.
Set up residential and commercial fencing.
Set up cabinetry, lighting, and fixtures.
Program Programs
Project Management
Security Codes
Management in Power and Environmental Design
Fundamental Design Concepts
Washington Development Regulations
Washington General and Specialty Contractor Courses:
 Expect to spend at the very least $250 for each course. On the net and classroom programs are offered. Economical aid is commonly offered for learners who go to accredited educational facilities.
Washington Contractor Exam Information and facts:
 The condition of Washington does not demand common and specialty contractor registrants to take an evaluation.
How to Use Your Handyman License to Get a Position
Immediately after you sign up as a general or specialty contractor, you can apply for a task. In this article are a couple resources to raise your likelihood of achievement:
The place to Obtain Handyman Jobs
I Use Building
Monster Work
Without a doubt
Handyman Position Search Suggestions
Post bids for agreement function with federal government companies and corporations.
Attend community and digital occupation fairs.
Market your contractor companies on categorised ad internet websites.
Add your resume to task look for web-sites.
Acquire relationships with using the services of managers in the development marketplace.
Implement for at least three employment a working day.
Handy Handyman Job Interview Suggestions
Get there at minimum fifteen minutes in advance of your career job interview.
Prepare for your interview by working towards your conversation abilities.
Use enterprise attire to the job interview.
Be optimistic and professional.
Handyman Market Developments
The handyman business in the United States generates over $126 billion a yr. Regardless of whether clients need set up or repair service providers, they hire contractors to get the employment done.
Buyers are employing applications to e-book services with handyman pros on line. These apps let clients to timetable products and services at practical instances and pay for them on-line.
Handyman marketplace trade reveals supply an possibility for contractors to discover about the latest trends. Common contractor trade reveals involve:
The Nationwide Association of Ladies in Construction Countrywide Meeting
PlanGrid Construction Summit
Establish Expo Usa
Is My Handyman License Only Legitimate in Washington?
Handyman specialists in Washington are accredited as standard or specialty contractors.
Washington state does not supply reciprocity agreements for normal or specialty contractors in other states.
I by now have a license but:
I adjusted my identify – Speak to the Washington Condition Department of Labor and Industries to
 
alter your title on the registration
.
I misplaced the card – Submit a
 
ask for for a copy registration
 (The payment is $13.10).
I improved my address – Call the Section of Labor and Industries to
 
modify your handle
.
How Normally Do I Need to have to Renew My Handyman License in Washington?
Washington point out handyman licenses are legitimate for two a long time. The renewal payment for every single license is $117.ninety. Registrants who are unsuccessful to renew their registrations just before the expiration date will have to fork out an supplemental $55.70 to renew their contractor registration.