What can a handyman do in San Juan, PR?
Puerto Rico requires state registration or licensing with no small-job dollar exemption.
(registration) - Puerto Rico's Departamento de Asuntos del Consumidor (DACO) keeps a mandatory Registro de Contratistas under Ley Num. 146 of August 10, 1995 for any natural or juridical person in the business of building homes or doing home improvement/repair work; registration requires an annual bond (fianza) scaled to gross volume.
"El Departamento de Asuntos del Consumidor en cumplimiento de la Ley 146 de 10 de agosto de 1995, ha diseñado un Registro de Contratistas donde toda persona natural o jurídica, que se dedique al negocio de la construcción de viviendas (residencias), así como a realizar medidas,"
Source: daco.gobierno.pr · checked November 2, 2026
What San Juan adds
San Juan, PR: Patente Municipal required; new businesses file Solicitud de Patente Provisional, then annual Declaración de Volumen de Negocios with the Municipio de San Juan Finance office via tramite.sanjuan.pr; municipal permits (excavation, access, fences, heavy vehicles) require liability insurance naming the Municipio and proof of arbitrios payment.
Source link: tramite.sanjuan.pr · tramite.sanjuan.pr · tramite.sanjuan.pr · checked November 2, 2026
Local business license
Required
- Name: Patente Municipal (municipal business volume tax) - annual Declaración de Volumen de Negocios; Patente Provisional for new businesses
- Office: Municipio de San Juan, Oficina/Departamento de Finanzas, via Portal de Trámites (tramite.sanjuan.pr)
"Declaración de Volumen de Negocio ... Establecer la normativa aplicable al proceso de radicacion de la declaracion de volumen de negocio de la patente municipal 2025-2026 ... Solicitud de Patente Provisional"
Source: tramite.sanjuan.pr · checked November 2, 2026
Jobs a handyman usually takes
Everyday jobs handymen take. In Puerto Rico, read the rule above first, because paid work may need registration whatever the job size:
- Mounting TVs, shelves, mirrors and pictures
- Assembling furniture and flat-pack cabinets
- Patching drywall and interior painting
- Caulking, weatherstripping and sealing
- Repairing doors, locks, screens and windows
- Basic carpentry, trim and small repairs
- Pressure washing and gutter cleaning
Rules change. This page shows what official sources said on the dates above. It is not legal advice, so confirm with the office named before you take the job.