If you've spent any time living in the Sunshine State, you know that things break. The salt air eats the hinges on front doors. The humidity makes wood rot faster than you can blink. And the afternoon sun beats down on everything until it cracks.
There's a huge group of people in Florida who have money but don't have time or tools. They need someone they can trust to fix a leaky faucet, hang a heavy TV, or patch a hole in the drywall. That's where you come in.
Starting a handyman business in Florida is one of the smartest moves you can make right now. You don't need a fancy office or a giant warehouse. You just need your skills, a reliable truck, and a plan to stay on the right side of the law.
I've helped plenty of people go from working for "the man" to being their own boss. It's not always easy, but in Florida, the opportunity is everywhere. From the retirement communities in The Villages to the high-rises in Miami, people are looking for a "guy" who actually shows up.
Let's walk through exactly how you can get this off the ground without wasting a ton of money.
What makes starting a handyman business in Florida different
Florida isn't like Georgia or Alabama. We have our own way of doing things down here. The first thing you'll notice is the weather. It's not just the heat; it's the moisture.
If you're doing exterior work, you have to know about pressure-treated wood and stainless steel hardware. If you use cheap screws from up north, they'll be rusted through in six months. Homeowners here know this, and they'll respect you more if you explain why you're using better materials.
Another big difference is our "Snowbird" population. From November to April, Florida gets flooded with part-time residents. These folks often arrive to find that their condos or houses have issues after sitting empty for months.
They usually have a long list of small jobs. They want it all done quickly so they can get back to the golf course. If you can be the reliable person they call every year when they land at PBI or MCO, you'll never run out of work.
Finally, Florida is very strict about who can do what. We have a "high risk" for what's called the Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL) and unlicensed contracting. The state wants to make sure people aren't getting scammed.
Because the rules on what a handyman can legally do are a bit of a gray area, you need to be careful. I always tell my friends that before you start signing complex service contracts or taking on huge renovations, it is wise to consult a licensed attorney. You want to make sure your contracts protect you and don't accidentally make you look like a general contractor.
What it costs to start
You don't need a million dollars to start, but you do need a little bit of "seed money." The biggest upfront cost for the paperwork is setting up your LLC. In Florida, the LLC filing fee is $125 (source).
You do this through the Sunbiz website. It usually takes about 5 to 10 business days if you do it online. If you're old school and send a check by mail, it can take up to 4 weeks. Save yourself the headache and do it online.
Once you have your LLC, you'll need an EIN. This is like a Social Security number for your business. It costs exactly $0. You get it from the IRS website in about five minutes. Don't let those "filing services" charge you $100 for this. It's a scam.
Insurance is the next big thing. You'll want General Liability insurance. This protects you if you accidentally drop a ladder through a customer's sliding glass door.
In Florida, you can expect to pay between $45 and $60 a month for basic coverage. If you're working in coastal areas or doing things like pressure washing, your rates might be 20% to 30% higher because of the hurricane and water damage risks.
You also need to think about your annual report. Every year by May 1st, Florida requires a $138.75 filing to keep your LLC active (source). If you miss that date, they hit you with a $400 late fee. Mark it on your calendar now.
As for tools, most handymen already have the basics. If you don't, I'd budget around $500 to $1,000 to get a good drill set, a circular saw, and the basic hand tools. You don't need the top-of-the-line stuff on day one. Buy what you need as the jobs come in.
Florida-specific regulations you need to know
Florida is famous for its "Handyman Exception," but it’s not as wide as you might think. Generally, you can do "handyman" work without a state contractor license as long as the work is "casual, quaternary, or inconsequential."
In plain English, that means you can paint a room, change a door lock, or fix a fence. But you cannot touch the "guts" of the house. In Florida, you aren't supposed to do structural work, plumbing behind the wall, or electrical work that requires a permit.
If a job needs a permit, you probably can't do it as an unlicensed handyman. Each county has its own rules, too. What's okay in Jacksonville might get you a fine in Miami.
This is why having a relationship with a professional is so important. Since Florida is so litigious, you should talk to a licensed attorney at least once to review your "Scope of Work" document. This is a list you give customers that says exactly what you do and, more importantly, what you don't do.
Tax-wise, Florida is pretty great. We have no state income tax. That means you get to keep more of what you earn. However, you do have to deal with sales tax.
Usually, Florida doesn't charge sales tax on pure labor. But if you sell the customer a ceiling fan and then install it, you might need to charge tax on the fan. Some services, like pest control, are always taxable. Check the Florida Revenue website for your specific services to stay safe.
How much handyman pays in Florida, by city
Florida's pay rates vary a lot depending on where you are. The closer you are to the coast or high-end retirement spots, the more you can usually charge.
In Jacksonville, a standard handyman rate is often $35 to $55 per hour. It’s a huge city with a lot of older homes that need constant upkeep. You'll stay busy there, but the "high-end" jobs are more spread out.
Miami and Fort Lauderdale are a different story. Everything is more expensive there, including you. Many operators charge $60 to $85 per hour for quality work — actual rates vary by market. People in Miami value their time, and they'll pay a premium for someone who is professional and shows up in a clean uniform.
Tampa and St. Pete are right in the middle. Expect to see rates around $45 to $65 per hour. The "remodeling" scene is big there, so if you're good at finishing touches like trim and molding, you can make a killing.
Orlando is a service-worker town. There’s a lot of competition, but also a lot of rental properties. Landlords are always looking for someone to do "turnover" work. Rates here usually hover between $40 and $60 per hour.
Tallahassee and the Panhandle tend to be a little lower, usually $30 to $50 per hour. But the cost of living is also lower, so you might find your profit ends up being about the same.
Exterior maintenance: The Florida gold mine
If you want to make the most money in Florida, you have to embrace the outdoors. Because of our climate, the outside of a house gets destroyed twice as fast as the inside.
Pressure washing is probably the easiest add-on service. Every driveway in Florida turns black with mold every year. A simple 2,000-square-foot house with a driveway can be a $300 to $500 job that takes you half a day.
Then there’s the "salt creep." If you’re within five miles of the ocean, everything metal corrodes. You can build a whole business just around replacing rusted door hardware, screen door closers, and outdoor light fixtures.
Screen repair is another huge one. Almost every house in Florida has a "lanai" or a screened-in porch. The squirrels and the sun tear those screens to pieces. Once you learn how to "spline" a screen, you can do a whole porch in a few hours and walk away with a few hundred dollars.
Just remember that because these jobs involve water or exterior work, insurance companies see them as slightly riskier. But the demand is so high that the extra $15 a month in insurance is well worth it.
Licensing and permits
We touched on this, but it’s worth repeating: Florida doesn't have a "State Handyman License." You either have a State Certified Contractor license or you don't.
If you don't have a contractor license, you are limited in what you can do. You can usually get a local "Business Tax Receipt" from your city or county. This isn't a license to build a house; it’s just a permit to do business in that town.
In some counties, like Broward or Miami-Dade, they have specific "specialty" licenses for things like painting or flooring. These are easier to get than a full contractor license but still require an application and sometimes a small test.
Always check with your local building department. Just walk in and ask, "What can a handyman do in this county without a contractor's license?" They'd much rather tell you the rules now than fine you later.
If a customer asks you to do something that clearly requires a permit—like re-wiring a kitchen or moving a load-bearing wall—just say no. It's not worth the risk of being shut down by the state.
Getting your first 10 customers
In Florida, "word of mouth" is the king of marketing. But you have to start somewhere.
My favorite trick is the "Nextdoor" app. People on Nextdoor are always asking for recommendations for a "good handyman." Sign up, create a profile, and just be helpful. Don't just spam your link; answer people's questions about their home repairs.
Facebook Groups are another gold mine. Look for groups called "Moms of [Your City]" or "[Your Neighborhood] Community." These people talk to each other. If you do a great job for one person, they'll post about you, and your phone won't stop ringing.
Don't sleep on the "old school" methods either. A clean truck with a simple magnet on the side that says "Your Name Handyman Services" and your phone number is very effective.
When you're working at a house, neighbors will walk by. If they see you're working hard and being professional, they'll ask for a card. Speaking of cards, keep them in your pocket at all times.
For your first 10 customers, offer a "First Time Customer" discount. Maybe $25 off their first job if they agree to leave you a review on Google or Facebook. Reviews are the currency of the service world. Once you have 10 five-star reviews, the business starts to feed itself.
Seasonal calendar for Florida
Your workload will change with the seasons in Florida. It's not about snow; it's about people and storms.
January – March: This is your "Snowbird" peak. Everyone is in town. They have money to spend and lists of things to fix. This is your busiest time of year. Focus on indoor repairs, shelving, and furniture assembly.
April – May: This is "Spring Cleaning" time. People are getting ready for the summer heat. This is when you do your pressure washing and screen repairs. Remember that May 1st LLC deadline!
June – September: It is hot. Like, "don't want to be outside past 10 AM" hot. Try to schedule your outdoor jobs for early in the morning. This is also Hurricane Season. You can make a lot of money helping people install hurricane shutters or clearing debris after a storm.
October – December: The weather finally gets nice. People want to be outside again. This is a great time for deck repairs, exterior painting, and hanging holiday lights.
If you plan your year around these shifts, you'll never have a "slow" month. You just change what you're doing.
Frequently asked questions
Q? Do I need a special license to be a handyman in Florida? No, there is no state-level "handyman license." You just need to register your business with the state (Sunbiz) and get a local business tax receipt from your county. However, you are limited to "non-structural" work. If you start doing plumbing or electrical work that requires a permit, you could get in big trouble for unlicensed contracting.
Q? Do I have to charge sales tax on my labor? Generally, Florida does not tax pure labor for repair services. But if you provide materials, it gets tricky. If you buy a part and mark up the price to the customer, you usually have to collect sales tax on that part. It is always a good idea to check with the Florida Department of Revenue or a local accountant to see how to set up your invoices.
Q? Is an LLC really necessary, or can I just be a sole proprietor? You can be a sole proprietor, but an LLC is much safer. An LLC separates your personal stuff—like your house and your car—from your business. If something goes wrong on a job and someone sues you, they can only go after the business assets, not your personal savings. For $125, it’s the best "insurance" you can buy.
Q? What kind of insurance do I actually need? At a minimum, you want General Liability insurance. This covers you if you damage a customer's property or if someone gets hurt because of your work. Most Florida homeowners—especially in HOAs—will ask to see your "COI" (Certificate of Insurance) before they let you onto the property. Expect to pay about $45 to $60 per month for a basic policy.
Q? Can I hire helpers or employees? Yes, but that changes the rules. Once you have employees in Florida, you usually have to carry Workers' Compensation insurance. This can be expensive for manual labor. Many handymen start as "solo-preneurs" and only hire help as independent contractors for specific big jobs. Just make sure you follow the IRS rules for who counts as a contractor versus an employee.
Q? How do I handle banking for my business? Don't use your personal checking account for your business. It makes taxes a nightmare. Take your LLC paperwork and your EIN to a bank like Chase, Wells Fargo, or Seacoast Bank. You'll need about $25 to $100 for an initial deposit. Having a separate business account makes you look professional and keeps the "corporate veil" of your LLC strong.
Q? What should I do if a customer asks for a "big" job like a bathroom remodel? Be honest with them. Tell them that as a handyman, you specialize in repairs and small upgrades. A full bathroom remodel usually requires plumbing and electrical permits that only a licensed contractor can pull. You can offer to do the "finish work" like painting or hanging the mirror, but let them know they need a GC for the heavy lifting.
Q? How much should I set aside for taxes? Since Florida has no state income tax, you only have to worry about federal taxes. A good rule of thumb is to set aside 25% to 30% of your profit in a separate savings account. That way, when tax time rolls around, you aren't scrambling for cash. It’s also smart to pay "estimated taxes" every quarter so you don't get hit with a penalty at the end of the year.
Starting your own thing is a big step, but you don't have to do it alone. Most of the battle is just getting the paperwork right and having a system to handle the boring stuff like billing. Ruunly helps you handle your website, customer messages, and professional billing for just $19/mo so you can focus on the actual work.