Get Quotes from Top Handymen in Denver, CO

Are You Licensed To Practice as a Handyman in Denver?

Handymen are not required to have an occupational license before they can work in Denver. However, in order to carry out construction or home improvement projects that require city-issued permits, these professionals must obtain the necessary contractor licenses and certificates from the city's Community Planning and Development Services, as required by the city's Building and Fire Code.

A fine of up to $999, 300 days in jail, or both will be imposed on any handyman who completes a construction project or home improvement work requiring a contractor license or certificate without first acquiring the necessary license or certificate. For additional information on the types of construction or home improvement work that can be executed by licensed contractors alone, contact the Community Planning and Development Services at (720) 865-2770. Handymen are encouraged to apply for and obtain a contractor license before undertaking specific home improvement jobs in the city. This will protect them from statutory penalties imposed on anyone practicing without the appropriate contractor license by the city.

However, before applying for a contractor license in the city, applicants must have a supervisor certificate, employ a supervisor certificate holder, or hold a Colorado electrical or plumbing license. Failure to meet any of the aforementioned conditions will make the applicant ineligible to apply for a contractor license. Applicants wishing to obtain a supervisor certificate can call (720) 865-2770 to learn more about the requirements and procedures for obtaining the certificate. Once the supervisor certificate has been approved and issued, the holder can now apply for the appropriate contractor license.

Contractor license applications in the city can be completed online, by mail, or in person. To use the online method, applicants must first create a profile on the epermit portal before beginning the application process. After completing the profile, applicants can apply for a license or certificate by clicking contractor licensing. Select the relevant contractor license type and click continue application after that.

To complete an application for contractor license by mail, applicants are required to download, complete, and send a contractor license application form to:

Alternatively, applicants can decide to submit the completed contractor license application form in person at the Contractor Licensing Counter located at:

Regardless of the application process, applicants must complete a supervisor statement of responsibility form, proof of company registration with the Secretary of State or an affidavit of lawful presence, and other relevant papers. In Denver, proof of business registration is necessary for obtaining a contractor license. Therefore, anyone who wants to work as a handyman or contractor must meet the city's business requirements.

These requirements include filing a business registration with the Colorado Secretary of State if the business is a limited liability company, partnership or general partnership, or corporation. However, if the business is a sole proprietorship, the handyman or contractor will file a trade name with the Secretary of State. Other requirements include complying with business tax responsibilities, obtaining proper insurance for the business, and complying with the state wage law. Queries concerning the requirements and procedure for filing a business registration can be directed to the Colorado Secretary of State at (303) 894-2200.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Handymen in Denver?

When considering a handyman for your home repairs in Denver, it is important to check their honesty and integrity before finalizing any agreement. This is crucial because hiring the wrong person will not only affect the quality of the work but also the cost of the work. One of the best ways to find an honest and competent handyman for your work is by comparing estimates from different handymen in the city. Comparing estimates from different handymen will ensure that you do not pay more than necessary for your project.

However, when comparing estimates, you should always keep in mind that each handyman's price will vary. As such, you should always find out which estimate represents a complete project scope and which price value matches the scope of the work to be done. 

Furthermore, do not assume that the lowest bidder is honest since unscrupulous individuals use low bids to attract unsuspecting citizens. Denver handymen earn an average wage of $47,500 annually. The table below compares and contrasts the average hourly wages of handymen and other general maintenance and repair workers in Denver with those of workers in this industry across the State of Colorado and major American cities:

Do You Require a Permit To Complete This Work in Denver?

Per the Denver Building and Fire Code, you need a permit to erect, construct, enlarge, remodel, repair, improve, convert, or demolish any building, structure, or utility in the city. Permits for home improvement or construction work are issued by the city's Community Planning and Development Services, and only homeowners or contractors are eligible to apply for these permits.

However, according to section 130.3 of the city's Building and Fire Code, not all home improvements or construction work in the city requires a permit. In Denver, the following home improvement projects are exempt from permitting:

• Installation and repair of painting, papering, tiling, flooring, cabinets and countertops
• Fixing prefabricated swimming pools accessory to one- and two-family dwellings
• Replacement of glass that is not in hazardous locations
• Replacement of plumbing fixtures
• Replacement of awning fabrics
• Replacement of windows with no structural alterations and no change in size
• Installation of a temporary motion picture, television, or theater stage

While not every home improvement work requires a permit in the city, it is crucial to ask the individual you intend to hire for the work if a permit is needed. They can obtain a permit for your home improvement or construction work by visiting the epermit webpage. Applicants must create an account with their preferred username and password to complete an online permit application.

Before applying for a permit, applicants will be required to upload details of their contractor license. As a result, applicants should double-check that their contractor license is eligible for the work permit they are seeking. Once this has been confirmed, they can now apply for a permit, upload the necessary plans and documents, and pay the applicable fees.

A permit will be issued to an applicant if the city's Community Planning and Development Services approves the uploaded documents after close review. However, before work begins on the building, applicants who have been issued a permit must print and display it at the job site. Applicants can use e-Permits to arrange inspections when they are ready as construction progresses.

What Works Can You Do Legally as a Handyman in Denver?

No law requires handymen operating in Denver to obtain an occupational license. As such, these professionals are legally permitted to execute any home improvement work that does not require an occupational license in the city. Handymen in the city can also provide a wide range of home improvement work that does not require city-issued permits because permits are only issued to licensed contractors and homeowners in the city.

If a project requires an occupational license or city-issued permit, you should hire a licensed professional or ask your handyman to obtain the necessary license and permits before starting the job. Handymen who are interested in obtaining a contractor license in the city can contact the Community Planning and Development Services at (720) 865-2770.

Although handymen in Denver do not need an occupational license to provide most of their services, it is your responsibility as a homeowner to ensure that the individual that you intend to hire has the requisite skills to complete the job. Hiring a handyman who has the skill to get the job done protects you from liabilities that may result from incompetency.

Listed below are cost estimates for some of the services that handymen in Denver offer:

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Handymen in Denver?

Compared to other professionals, construction, maintenance, and repair workers in the State of Colorado are more vulnerable to falls, slips, and trips, which can result in fatal injuries while on the job. As such, even though there is no law stating that handymen must carry an insurance policy before operating in Denver, it is always best if you hire an individual who has obtained the necessary insurance coverage to protect you from financial liabilities that may result from bodily injuries, property damage, and deaths that occurs during your job.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, general maintenance and repair workers suffered 70 fatal work-related injuries and 23,400 nonfatal work-related injuries. Given the startling estimates for fatal and non-fatal work injuries in general maintenance and repair in 2020 alone, you should constantly bear in mind that fatal injuries can happen at any point during the project. Therefore, it is better to hire someone who is insured.

To prevent being held accountable for these injuries, it is usually a good idea to ask if the person you are planning to hire is insured. It is also worth noting that dishonest individuals may claim to have insurance when they actually do not. As a result, you must always ask for their insurance certificate and contact the insurance company or agency that issued the certificate.