Home improvement can be tricky enough without having to figure out which type of worker you need to help you. Some jobs are well suited for a full scale contractor, while others are more appropriate for a handyman. How can you tell which remodeling person to hire?

A handyman typically works on smaller projects that require anywhere from a few hours of work to perhaps a week. This might involve home improvement projects such as repairing tile, adding a new porch railing or other general carpentry jobs. Some has lots of experience, but they prefer not to get into the bigger projects. They are fine to clean out basements, do yard work and call it a day. Here’s more on hiring a handyman!

Contractor or Handyman?
A contractor typically works on more involved projects than could get into supervising other workers, working with city inspectors, etc. (More on when inspections are needed.) Some contractors have a steady supply of workers while others do all their own work, but may have a wider range of remodeling knowledge than most handymen.

There are some gray areas in between, however, so check with a few people first to get an idea. If you are doing a room addition, you’ll probably need the experience of a contractor who can do some of the work and also manage other workers and oversee the city inspections. If you are remodeling a bathroom, a handyman who has experience in general carpentry, along with tile, plumbing and electrical might work out fine.

You can see by this tile article, however, that there is a lot involved with working with tile. Make sure whoever you hire has the right experience.

In the end, you just have to ask a lot of question. You’ll quickly figure out which projects are better suited for a handyman or contractor.