General Contractor vs. Handyman: Which One Do You Need?

When something needs fixing or building in your home, the first question is: who do I call? A handyman and a general contractor both work on homes, but they do very different types of work. Calling the wrong one wastes time and money, or worse, puts your home at risk. Here is how to tell which one you need.

What a handyman does

A handyman handles small repairs and maintenance tasks that do not require specialized licenses or permits. Think of the jobs that are too small to justify hiring a full crew but too annoying to live with.

Good handyman tasks:

Hanging shelves, TVs, and curtain rods. Fixing a running toilet or a dripping faucet. Patching drywall holes. Replacing a light fixture (simple swap, no new wiring). Assembling furniture. Caulking around tubs and windows. Painting a room. Replacing weatherstripping on doors. Minor deck repairs like replacing a board.

The common thread: these are small, self-contained tasks that do not require a permit, do not involve structural changes, and do not need a licensed tradesperson.

Handyman cost: Most handymen charge by the hour, typically $50 to $100 per hour. Some charge a flat rate for common tasks. The overhead is low because it is usually one person with a truck full of tools.

What a general contractor does

A general contractor (GC) manages larger projects that involve multiple trades, permits, and inspections. A GC plans the project, hires and coordinates the subcontractors (plumbers, electricians, tile setters, etc.), pulls the permits, schedules the inspections, and makes sure everything gets done to code and on time.

Jobs that need a general contractor:

Kitchen remodels. Bathroom remodels. Room additions. Finishing a basement. Building a deck. Structural work (removing a wall, adding a beam). New construction. Whole-house renovations. Any project that involves plumbing, electrical, or structural changes.

The common thread: these projects are too complex for one person, require multiple specialized trades, need permits and inspections, and take days or weeks to complete.

GC cost: General contractors typically charge a markup on the total project cost, usually 15% to 25%. This covers their management, coordination, insurance, and overhead. It sounds like a lot until you consider what they actually do: manage a team of tradespeople, keep the schedule on track, handle the paperwork, and take responsibility for the quality of the final product.

Why it matters

Hiring a handyman for a job that needs a GC is a recipe for problems. A handyman is not licensed to do plumbing or electrical work. They may not pull permits. They may not have the insurance coverage needed for a larger project. If the work is done wrong, you are on the hook.

Hiring a GC for a job that a handyman can do is overkill. You are paying for management and overhead that a simple task does not need. A GC is not going to come out to hang a shelf.

The gray area

Some jobs fall in between. Replacing a vanity, for example, might seem like a handyman task. But if it involves moving plumbing or electrical connections, it needs a licensed plumber and electrician. A GC coordinates those trades; a handyman does not.

Here is a simple rule: if the job needs a permit, it needs a GC. If it involves plumbing, electrical, or structural changes, it needs a GC. If it is a quick fix or a small installation, a handyman is the right call.

Can a handyman do remodeling work?

Legally, it depends on the scope. In Massachusetts, work that requires a plumbing, electrical, or gas fitting license must be done by a licensed tradesperson. A handyman cannot legally wire an outlet, move a drain, or connect a gas line. Some handymen will offer to do this work at a lower price, but you are taking a real risk: no permit means no inspection, which means no one checks if the work is safe and up to code.

If a handyman tells you he can "do it all," that is a warning sign. Trades exist for a reason. Good handymen know their limits and will tell you when a job needs a licensed contractor.

What to look for in a general contractor

Massachusetts license. General contractors in Massachusetts need a Construction Supervisor License (CSL) to pull permits. Verify the license on the state website.

Insurance. General liability and workers' comp. Ask for certificates.

References. A track record of completed projects in your area. Check reviews and ask for references from recent work.

Written contract. Scope of work, total price, payment schedule, and timeline. Everything in writing before work starts.

Communication. A good GC communicates regularly, responds to questions, and keeps you informed about progress and any changes.

Get a free estimate from Walbridge Construction

We are a veteran-owned general contractor based in Hull, MA. We handle remodels, additions, decks, and new construction across the South Shore. If you are not sure whether your project needs a GC, call us and we will tell you honestly.

Call us or request a free estimate. We serve Hull, Hingham, Cohasset, Scituate, Quincy, and Weymouth.

The bottom line: if the project takes more than a day, involves more than one trade, or needs a permit, you want a general contractor. A GC brings the oversight, the coordination, and the accountability that complex projects demand. For the small stuff, a reliable handyman is your best friend. Knowing which one to call saves you time, money, and frustration.

Related service: Home Remodeling