Every tool has its place, every person has their role. Often for a homeowner interacting in the construction field, there is confusion about who to call, and when to call them. Today we are going to look at three different points of contact, and different scenarios for each.
The Individual
This is a person who specifically works in one field. Potentially they are a painter, an electrician, or a tile guy. If you know someone who is an individual contractor, they are a great resource to have on hand if you need their specific job done. They, however, are not a great resource (in most cases) if you will need additional work done out of their scope. For example, you call your electrician friend to install a new tesla charger in your garage. Next thing you know, he has cut all the drywall from your laundry room to the garage and now it needs to be patched and painted. This is a good time to stop what you are doing, pay your friend, and keep reading.
The Handyman.
The handy man may be your next call. In most cases handymen can handle a few different trades. They are a good call if you need a little flooring work, paint, drywall repair, etc. When used in the right situation, a handyman can be an invaluable asset, and would be perfect to call to fix the wall used in the previous example. Maybe they can even fix a couple things around the house while they are there. Most handymen are not licensed plumbing or electrical contractors, however, so be weary of them offering to do any extensive trade work as they may not be licensed or insured. Speaking of, Tennessee does offer a handyman license for non-electrical, plumbing, or HVAC projects up to $25,000. This license, along with insurance and a business license is always worth confirming. Now let’s say you had a larger project, like an addition to your house, a remodel, garage, or a new build. Those are all beyond the scope of a handyman, and it’s time to step it up to the next level.
The General Contractor
A general contractors license is required in the State of Tennessee for any work done by someone other than the homeowner, when the cost is over $25,000. A general contractor is an expert at analyzing all the facets of your project and making sure they are completed in an orderly and timely fashion. They are typically the most expensive of the three, but they can see your project to completion. While they have the knowledge to make sure your project is done right, they almost always have extensive insurance to back it up if there is a mistake. It is important to look for a contractor whose company you enjoy, is professional, and trustworthy when you start a project.