What Can a Handyman Do Without a License in Nassau County, Florida (includes unincorporated areas and cities of Fernandina Beach, Callahan, Hilliard, and Yulee)?

Q: What can a handyman do without a license in Nassau County, Florida (includes unincorporated areas and cities of Fernandina Beach, Callahan, Hilliard, and Yulee)?

In FL, a handyman can take jobs under $1,000 (labor and materials combined) without a contractor license. Common examples include: Paint interior or exterior surfaces (walls, trim, doors, etc.) — under $1,000 total; Patch and repair drywall — under $1,000 total; Replace light fixtures, outlet covers, and switch plates (no new wiring) — under $1,000 total; Replace faucets, showerheads, and toilet seats (no plumbing line work) — under $1,000 total; Install shelving, curtain rods, TV mounts, and furniture assembly — under $1,000 total; Pressure wash exterior surfaces, decks, and driveways — under $1,000 total.

Q: What handyman work requires a license in Nassau County, Florida (includes unincorporated areas and cities of Fernandina Beach, Callahan, Hilliard, and Yulee)?

Work that typically requires a license or a licensed trade professional includes: Any electrical work beyond simple fixture changes (new circuits, panel upgrades, outlet installation with new wiring) — requires Florida Electrical Contractor License or Journeyman Electrician License at ANY price; Any plumbing work beyond simple fixture replacement (new water lines, drain lines, water heater installation/replacement, structural plumbing changes) — requires Florida Plumbing Contractor License or Journeyman Plumber License at ANY price; Any HVAC/air conditioning work (installation, maintenance, repair, replacement of AC units, heat pumps, heating systems) — requires Florida Air Conditioning Contractor License at ANY price; Any roofing work (repair, replacement, installation of roofing materials) — requires Florida Roofing Contractor License at ANY price; Any construction, repair, alteration, remodeling, or demolition work with a total contract price of $1,000 or more (labor + materials combined) — requires Florida Certified General Contractor License or County-Registered Contractor License; Structural alterations, additions, or new construction — requires Florida Certified General Contractor License at ANY price. Always verify with your local licensing authority.

Q: How much can a handyman charge without a license in Nassau County, Florida (includes unincorporated areas and cities of Fernandina Beach, Callahan, Hilliard, and Yulee)?

In FL, handyman jobs priced under $1,000 (labor and materials combined) generally do not require a contractor license. At or above $1,000, a licensed contractor is required.

By Ray Duke, Founder of Bulletproof Handyman · Last reviewed September 2026

In Nassau County, Florida, handymen can work on jobs under $1,000 (labor + materials combined) without a state contractor license, but this exemption does not cover electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or permitted work. For jobs $1,000 and above, a Florida state contractor license is required through the DBPR. All businesses must obtain a Local Business Tax Receipt (BTR) from Nassau County Tax Collector ($25–$150/year, exact fee varies by business type) and, if operating in an incorporated city like Fernandina Beach, an additional city BTR. Trade-specific licenses (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) are always required regardless of job size.

The magic number in FL: $1,000. Jobs under $1,000 (labor + materials combined) don't require a contractor license — you can take those as a handyman. Jobs at or above $1,000 require a contractor license. Know your number, know your limit.

✅ What You Can Do Without a License

Paint interior or exterior surfaces (walls, trim, doors, etc.) — under $1,000 total
Patch and repair drywall — under $1,000 total
Replace light fixtures, outlet covers, and switch plates (no new wiring) — under $1,000 total
Replace faucets, showerheads, and toilet seats (no plumbing line work) — under $1,000 total
Install shelving, curtain rods, TV mounts, and furniture assembly — under $1,000 total
Pressure wash exterior surfaces, decks, and driveways — under $1,000 total
Clean gutters and downspouts (no structural repair) — under $1,000 total
Caulk and weatherstrip windows and doors — under $1,000 total
Minor cosmetic repairs and touch-ups — under $1,000 total
Install door hardware, hinges, and locks (no structural changes) — under $1,000 total

Common Jobs Handymen Take in Nassau

Based on the FL threshold, handymen in Nassau commonly take on:

Paint interior or exterior surfaces (walls, trim, doors, etc.) — under $1,000 total
Patch and repair drywall — under $1,000 total
Replace light fixtures, outlet covers, and switch plates (no new wiring) — under $1,000 total
Replace faucets, showerheads, and toilet seats (no plumbing line work) — under $1,000 total
Install shelving, curtain rods, TV mounts, and furniture assembly — under $1,000 total
Clean gutters and downspouts (no structural repair) — under $1,000 total
Caulk and weatherstrip windows and doors — under $1,000 total
Minor cosmetic repairs and touch-ups — under $1,000 total

⚠️ What Requires a License

Any electrical work beyond simple fixture changes (new circuits, panel upgrades, outlet installation with new wiring) — requires Florida Electrical Contractor License or Journeyman Electrician License at ANY price
Any plumbing work beyond simple fixture replacement (new water lines, drain lines, water heater installation/replacement, structural plumbing changes) — requires Florida Plumbing Contractor License or Journeyman Plumber License at ANY price
Any HVAC/air conditioning work (installation, maintenance, repair, replacement of AC units, heat pumps, heating systems) — requires Florida Air Conditioning Contractor License at ANY price
Any roofing work (repair, replacement, installation of roofing materials) — requires Florida Roofing Contractor License at ANY price
Any construction, repair, alteration, remodeling, or demolition work with a total contract price of $1,000 or more (labor + materials combined) — requires Florida Certified General Contractor License or County-Registered Contractor License
Structural alterations, additions, or new construction — requires Florida Certified General Contractor License at ANY price
Work requiring a building permit (water heater replacement, window/door replacement affecting structure, work affecting electrical panels, plumbing changes, structural modifications) — requires appropriate state license and building permit

What to Tell Clients About Your Scope of Work

In FL, you can take jobs under $1,000 (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 — Nassau

Required. City of Fernandina Beach Business Tax Receipt (BTR)

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 Nassau

Step 1: Determine your business structure. An LLC is recommended for liability protection. File Articles of Organization with the Florida Department of State ($125 one-time fee) at https://www.sunbiz.org.
Step 2: Obtain a Nassau County Business Tax Receipt (BTR) from the Nassau County Tax Collector at (904) 491-7400 or https://www.nassautaxes.com. Fee varies by business type ($25–$150/year). If you operate in an incorporated city (Fernandina Beach, Callahan, Hilliard), also obtain a city BTR.
Step 3: Determine if you need a state contractor license. If you plan to work on jobs $1,000 or above, apply for a Florida Certified General Contractor License through the DBPR at https://www.myfloridalicense.com. This requires 4 years of verifiable construction experience, passing a 3-part state exam (~$300), and meeting other requirements. Total cost: $1,500–$4,000.
Step 4: Obtain general liability insurance. This is mandatory for contractor licenses and recommended for all handymen. Typical cost: $500–$2,000/year. Verify your policy covers the specific work you perform.
Step 5: If you perform electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or roofing work, apply for the appropriate trade license through the DBPR. Each trade requires separate licensing and exams.
Step 6: Verify building permit requirements with the Nassau County Building Department at (904) 530-6340 or https://www.nassaucountyfl.com. Obtain permits for work above permit thresholds before starting work.
Step 7: If you work on federal property (Naval Station Mayport, Osceola National Forest), register in SAM.gov (free) at https://sam.gov and coordinate with the facility's Contracting Office.
Step 8: Renew your LLC annual report by May 1 each year ($138.75 fee) and renew your contractor license every 2 years (renewal fee $205 + continuing education). Set calendar reminders to avoid missing deadlines.

Licensing rules and fees change over time, so this information may be out of date. Verify all requirements with your local licensing authority before making business decisions.