When planning renovations and home repairs, you may think twice about who to call: your trusted handyman or the best general contractor you can find. Both handyman and general contractor have plenty of services to offer, but knowing the difference between these two will save you some bucks. Knowing who to call for your home projects will help you get the fair and right price. Let us explore further the difference between a handyman and a general contractor.

What is a Handyman?

Handyman can be called the “Jack of All Trades”. They tend to be generalists. So, if you are looking for someone who performs home maintenance and improvement tasks that do not require specialization, a handyman can assist you with a wide range of home repairs, home maintenance, and home improvements. These may include patching dry walls, painting, installing windows and doors, replacing fixtures, etc.

What Does a Handyman Do?

Here are some of the common tasks a handyman can do:

Repairing a Gutter
Installing a sink
Replacing Faucet
Replacing lighting fixtures
De-clogging drains
Replacing HVAC filters
Cleaning of Air-conditioning Units
Replacing locksets
Door repairs
Furniture assembly
Deck power washing
Driveway Power Washing
Trimming of Trees
Installing Appliances
Window Caulking
Weatherstripping
Doorbell repair
Mounting mailbox
Installing windows
Painting dry walls

There is a lot a handyman can do that is not listed above. Every handyman has a fair amount of skills under their belt. How a handyman charges varies by state, but they can be reasonably forgiving in their price offer. They follow a certain ceiling amount but can give you many options. However, hiring a handyman still has its limitations. You can trust a handyman with your home repairs if and only if they do not require licenses and permits from your local government. Handyman services are less expensive than hiring a general contractor. It will be a good option for those who tighten their budget over a home repair or maintenance activity.

*Fig. 1. Kitchen floor damage caused by dishwasher leak repaired by Modern Handymen*

If you find that hiring a handyman isn’t an option for your specific needs, do not worry. Your next step will be to call a general contractor with a professional license to do that home project for you. You might be surprised to find out how your trusted handyman can recommend some of them, too.

What is a General Contractor?

General contractors can take on larger projects than handymen, such as remodels, renovations, and new construction. They manage the project from start to finish. As a general contractor, they can hire specialized professionals or sub-contractors to help plan your space and project implementation. You can think of them as your project managers. Most general contractors already have their trusted team lined up for each project. All have specific tasks to complete and contribute to the project's success.

Type of Works a General Contractor Can Help You With

1. Bathroom Remodeling

Bathroom remodeling allows homeowners to upscale their bathrooms by adding key features to improve their aesthetics and functionality. A careful and guaranteed way to get the best resale value with your bathroom remodel is by using suitable materials and finishes and choosing a team of the best general contractors you can find. These will help you achieve your dream luxurious bathroom at the right cost and within schedule.

*Fig. 2. Bathroom remodel by Modern Handymen*

2. Kitchen Remodeling

Kitchen remodels have the highest return on investment compared to other home renovation projects. This may include replacing countertops, floors, and appliances to upgrade your existing kitchen. As one of the busiest areas of any home, upgrading your kitchen with the help of a general contractor will improve your home’s overall functionality and user productivity.

3. Basement Remodeling

Your basement can be more than just your storage space for unused items. It can be so much more with basement remodeling. Transform your living space with creative basement remodeling. There are brilliant, trendy ideas for elevating your ample basement space into a place of comfort, relaxation, entertainment, and increased functionality, such as a bar, game room, entertainment room, workspace, pantry, etc. A general contractor is a team of craftsmen to design your basement to suit your style and needs.

4. Fencing

Fences impact aesthetics and offer security and privacy to every property. They are also a tangible investment for every residential, commercial, or other type of property you own. Fence installation is one of the easiest yet most crucial parts of property improvement since it establishes boundaries. Allowing your general contractor to ensure your property limits before installing a fence will be a safe and practical move.

5. Deck Building

While a handyman can help you with deck staining and repairs, hiring a general contractor to build a deck is a different scenario. This allows professionals to check the structural integrity of your deck and offer recommendations for the best design and materials that will suit your lifestyle at home.

How to Choose Who Fits the Job

1. Consider the Size of the Project

Right-sizing how big or small the work is will help you decide who to work with and what skill set you need to complete the project successfully. Handymen often take small and less specialized jobs, while general contractors are great for larger projects. They are good at managing large-scale projects and complying with the latest local permitting requirements.

2. Look for Expertise

Both handymen and general contractors can be experts in their fields. Most handymen are skillful and experienced enough to offer their services to clients. But if you’re looking into a more complex project, a general contractor has broader experiences from larger projects. You can initially assess their expertise by asking questions through consultations.

3. Prepare to handle the risk

Most people are uneasy about trusting their homes with unfamiliar people. Some are confident that everything will turn out the first time, but most homeowners are anxious to do so. This is where taking careful assessment if one handyman can be trusted with such a task in mind or hiring local professionals with contractor’s licenses and insurance will give you peace of mind that your job will get done efficiently with no headaches.

4. Check your acceptable schedule

A handyman's schedule is much more flexible, especially since he is a one-man team. The schedule can be adjusted to your convenience as long as you both agree on it. On the other hand, a general contractor is a team of professionals following an agreed-upon schedule per phase of work. Before changing the schedule, other trades must be considered to ensure timely completion.

**Handyman Plus General Contractor: How to Get the Benefits of Both**

*Fig. 3. Ongoing home improvements by Modern Handymen*

Modern Handymen makes life easier by offering handyman and general contractor services in Nashville, Tennessee. You do not need to look elsewhere for small or large tasks. Modern Handymen can handle both jobs seamlessly. Convenient access to both services saves owners time, money and effort. So stop juggling multiple contractors—let Modern Handymen handle all your home needs under one roof. Call 615-200-8071 to book a free consultation now!

Handyman or General Contractor? Why Modern Handymen Can Be Both