Handyman License
Getting a handyman license opens a world of possibilities. Many skilled workers around the country operate without a license, but getting one will help you surge ahead of the pack. Companies and clients will find you a valuable asset and even consider raising your salary above industry standards.
It’s not enough that you are highly competent at your trade. Having proper documentation about your skills will raise your market value. If you intend to work on construction sites, you are required by law to acquire a license. Authorities will question you if they found out you’re working on this capacity without license. An official license can also get you tax write-off especially with small, commissioned jobs.
There are several types of handyman licenses out there: home improvement license, occupational license, and residential electrician license, to name a few. Check the state boards of contractors to see which license you need to apply for. Even if you possess different skills, you need to be specific about your areas of expertise.
Electrician contractors usually fly solo or work for wiring houses. Either way, it is important that you acquire a license to ensure that you adhere to safety standards. Getting one can be a long-winded process, but it’s definitely worth it.
The first step towards getting licensed is to check your state’s government website and review the instructions. For example, if you are in California, you can go to ca.gov and click the Employments link. Go to the Licenses link and you will see different fields from dog training to electrical and appliance repairs. Simply follow the instructions which include completing an application and sending it to the address of the agency.
You will go through an examination process in which someone will supervise your capabilities in performing different tasks. Make sure to study business and law as they are usually included in the test. Choose a schedule that’s about a month away so that you will have ample time to prepare for it. Attend a seminar about handyman skills and look for books recommended by your state’s licensing agency. Make sure to allot at least an hour a day to review your materials.
Submit all the requirements of the handyman license before the test date. These include a detailed account of your experience and monthly salary. Don’t forget to pay the registration fees, which might be double if you intend to get licensed on different fields.
Valid Handyman License is the Key to Becoming a Home Repair Contractor
For any home repair business, one of the key requirements is to have a handyman license. This is not only a statutory requirement but is required for very many purposes. Insurance claims require a copy of your handyman license to be attached for settlement. You clients would first want to verify your contractor license before awarding the work to you.
The rules and procedure for obtaining handyman license varies from state to state. Some states exempt service contracts with less than few hundred dollars from having to apply for handyman license. However from a professional stand point of view it is always better to have your valid license in place. Normally the procedure for obtaining license calls for an application with or without prescribed fee. If you are already a technical degree holder or qualified workman you may have to produce the required certificate of qualification to prove your credentials. In other cases, you will be required to appear for a small test or trial to prove your skill sets. In almost all cases training classes will provide you not only the required training but also assist you in obtaining the required handyman license.
Having a valid handyman license has lot many long term advantages too. After a while you may want to expand your business because you have already established yourself with a good clientele and a reputation for reliability. You can approach any of the electronic or famous brand companies and enroll yourself to become their service contractor. Many appliances and equipments which require minor fixing work or routine service cleaning and maintenance will require the services of handyman who will visit the clients house as per specified schedule and attend to preventive maintenance of the equipments. Such jobs are always outsourced to the local contractors by the companies. These jobs are regular and give you steady income.
To qualify for being a service agent, you would need to establish your business credentials along with proving your technical abilities. This is where your handyman license comes in to your assistance. If you are a valid license holder, you have proven credentials. You stand to gain by being ahead of competition.
Your contractor license helps you to get other certifications and permits too when required. These licenses will have certain validity. You need to ensure that the certification is always valid and apply for fresh license or renewal of the old certification well in time. Re-validation of a handyman license may call for re-training and orientation training which is often designed to impart knowledge of new methods and tools. It is also important to join your local association of handyman and contractors to be able to understand the dynamics of the industry and keep in touch with local market.