What Can a Handyman Do Without a License in Miami-Dade in Miami-Dade County, Florida?

In Miami-Dade (Florida), most “handyman” work is legal without a state contractor license only when it does NOT involve regulated trades (electrical/plumbing/HVAC/roofing, etc.) and is within Florida’s contractor exemption for minor repair work under $500 total (labor + materials). Most handymen still need a local Business Tax Receipt (BTR) for Miami-Dade County (and possibly a city BTR if working inside an incorporated city), and permits may be required even when a license is not.

The magic number in FL: $500. Jobs under $500 (labor + materials combined) don't require a contractor license — you can take those as a handyman. Jobs at or above $500 require a contractor license. Know your number, know your limit.

✅ What You Can Do Without a License

Painting (interior/exterior) where no permit is required and no lead-based paint regulated work is triggered (older homes may add EPA RRP compliance).
Minor drywall patching/repair and small interior trim repairs.
Basic carpentry that is non-structural (e.g., replacing baseboards, installing pre-hung interior doors if not affecting egress/fire-rated assemblies).
Installing cabinets/shelving where not structural and no electrical/plumbing is altered.
Replacing faucets or toilets ONLY if local rules treat it as minor repair and no permit is required (many jurisdictions still restrict plumbing work to licensed plumbers—verify before offering).
Pressure washing, caulking, weatherstripping, minor rot repair that is not structural.
Assembling furniture, mounting TVs/curtain rods (avoid drilling into post-tension slabs without proper precautions).
Minor repair work under $500 total (labor + materials) when it does not require a permit and is not in a regulated trade (common Florida handyman exemption rule).

Common Jobs Handymen Take in Miami-Dade

Based on the FL threshold, handymen in Miami-Dade commonly take on:

Painting (interior/exterior) where no permit is required and no lead-based paint regulated work is triggered (older homes may add EPA RRP compliance).
Minor drywall patching/repair and small interior trim repairs.
Basic carpentry that is non-structural (e.g., replacing baseboards, installing pre-hung interior doors if not affecting egress/fire-rated assemblies).
Installing cabinets/shelving where not structural and no electrical/plumbing is altered.
Replacing faucets or toilets ONLY if local rules treat it as minor repair and no permit is required (many jurisdictions still restrict plumbing work to licensed plumbers—verify before offering).
Pressure washing, caulking, weatherstripping, minor rot repair that is not structural.
Assembling furniture, mounting TVs/curtain rods (avoid drilling into post-tension slabs without proper precautions).
Minor repair work under $500 total (labor + materials) when it does not require a permit and is not in a regulated trade (common Florida handyman exemption rule).

⚠️ What Requires a License

Electrical contracting (new circuits, panel/service work, most troubleshooting/repairs performed for compensation) — requires a licensed electrical contractor; permits commonly required.
Plumbing contracting beyond very minor tasks (water heater replacement, moving/adding lines, drain line replacements, re-pipes) — requires a licensed plumbing contractor and permits.
HVAC installation/repair/service (air conditioning contractor; refrigerant handling) — requires licensed HVAC contractor and EPA compliance.
Roofing work (repairs/replacements) — typically requires a licensed roofing contractor in Florida.
Structural work: removing load-bearing walls, framing changes, structural concrete work, or anything requiring engineering — licensed contractor + permits.
Impact windows/doors and many exterior openings (common permit trigger, wind-load/product approval requirements in South Florida).
Fence installs (often permitted depending on height/location), room additions, sheds/structures, and most exterior construction — permits and licensed contracting frequently required.
Any job where you pull a building permit as a contractor or act as the prime contractor beyond exemption limits.

What to Tell Clients About Your Scope of Work

In FL, you can take jobs under $500 (labor + materials) without a contractor license. When a client asks, be straightforward: for jobs under this threshold, you're operating legally as a handyman. For larger projects, refer them to a licensed contractor or get licensed before bidding that work.

Business License — Miami-Dade

Required. Business Tax Receipt (BTR) – City level (only if operating within an incorporated city such as the City of Miami, Miami Beach, Hialeah, etc.)

Setting Up Your Business in FL

To get paid professionally and protect yourself, register your business. LLC filing fee in FL: $125 (one-time). You'll also need a free EIN from the IRS and a business checking account.

Your Next Steps to Operating Legally in Miami-Dade

Step 1: Form your business (LLC) with Sunbiz and budget $125 filing + $138.75 annual report.
Step 2: Get your Miami-Dade County Business Tax Receipt (and a city BTR if your business is located in an incorporated municipality).
Step 3: Set up insurance (general liability; consider tools/inland marine; workers’ comp if applicable).
Step 4: Define your service list to stay inside the $500 minor repair exemption and away from regulated trades; confirm permit triggers with Miami-Dade RER/building and the city building department where you will work.
Step 5: If you want to expand into regulated work (electrical/plumbing/HVAC/roofing/structural), plan a DBPR license path (experience, exams, financial responsibility, fees).

Research generated by AI. Verify all requirements with your local licensing authority before making business decisions.