When to Call a General Contractor, Not a Handyman: The Tipping Point for Major Structural Repair

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It’s the classic homeowner dilemma: You have a repair, and you want to save money. Should you call a Handyman for a quick fix, or does the job require the command of a General Contractor? Hiring the wrong professional for the wrong job is a common mistake that leads to permit violations, insurance invalidation, and costly rework.

The Home Service Bureau (HSB) helps all homeowners to establish the clear line of distinction. Our mandate is simple: Handymen manage maintenance; General Contractors manage change. Knowing the tipping point protects your home’s structural integrity and your financial security.

The Handyman’s Scope: Maintenance and Minor Fixes

A Bureau-Verified Handyman is the right choice for high-frequency, low-complexity tasks that do not require building permits, structural alterations, or multi-trade coordination.

When to call a Handyman (The Non-Structural Fixes):

  • Aesthetic Repairs: Patching drywall, installing non-structural shelving, touch-up painting, or replacing door knobs and hinges.
  • Simple Maintenance: Replacing a leaky faucet cartridge, pressure washing a deck, basic landscaping, or assembling flat-pack furniture.
  • Minor Replacements: Changing light fixtures (when no wiring modification is needed) or replacing a garbage disposal unit.

Key Rule: If the job can be undone without leaving a hole in a wall, roof, or floor, it likely falls under the Handyman’s scope.

The General Contractor’s Mandate: Structural Tipping Points

When a repair or renovation triggers a legal or technical complexity threshold, the project requires the Bureau-Verified General Contractor (GC). A verified GC specializes in project management, legal compliance, and coordinating multiple specialized trades.

You must call a General Contractor Arbiter when the project involves:

  • Permitting: Any work that requires a municipal permit (e.g., changes to exterior structure, new plumbing lines, gas line work, significant electrical panel upgrades). A GC is responsible for pulling the correct permits and managing the inspection schedule.
  • Structural Integrity: This is the critical tipping point. Removing load-bearing walls, cutting into floor joists, expanding windows or doors, or foundation repair. This requires coordination with engineers and specialized carpentry/masonry teams.
  • Multi-Trade Coordination: Projects requiring the simultaneous scheduling and supervision of three or more specialized trades, such as a full bathroom or kitchen renovation (e.g., Demolition → Plumbing → Electrical → Tiling → Cabinetry).
  • Major System Overhaul: Full roofing replacement, major siding replacement, or basement finishing that involves building new rooms and HVAC runs.

The Bureau’s Conclusion: Do not let cost dictate your choice. Let complexity dictate your contractor. If the job involves opening walls, changing the home’s structure, or managing specialty trades, you need the coordination and accountability of a General Contractor.

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When to Call a General Contractor, Not a Handyman: The Tipping Point for Major Structural Repair

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