When do I need a licensed contractor vs a handyman in California?

In California, the law is clear: any project over $1,000 in combined labor and materials requires a licensed contractor. Here is the breakdown:

Handyman (no license needed) - under $1,000 total: - Minor repairs (fixing a leaky faucet, patching drywall) - Furniture assembly - TV mounting - Small painting jobs - Basic yard work - Replacing light fixtures (simple swap)

Licensed contractor required - over $1,000 total: - Anything structural (walls, foundation, framing) - Electrical work beyond simple fixture swaps - Plumbing beyond basic repairs - HVAC installation or repair - Roofing - Window or door installation - Kitchen or bathroom remodel - Flooring installation - Siding installation - Any work requiring a permit

The $1,000 rule explained: - The $1,000 includes both labor AND materials combined - This is per project, not per day - You cannot split a $2,000 job into four $1,000 jobs to avoid licensing requirements - Three additional conditions must all be met for the exemption to apply: the work cannot require a permit, no employees or subcontractors may be used, and the worker cannot advertise as a licensed contractor

Why it matters: - California law (B&P Code 7028) prohibits contracting without a license on jobs over $1,000; the unlicensed contractor faces fines, misdemeanor exposure, and CSLB enforcement action - As a homeowner you lose all CSLB protections -- no bond claim, no formal complaint process if the work goes wrong - Insurance may not cover damage from unlicensed work, and unpermitted installations can complicate future home sales or refinancing

When in doubt, hire licensed. Verify at cslb.ca.gov.