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Handyman FAQHandyman FAQ for Rochester, NY
This handyman FAQ gives 33 short answers on hiring, licensing, written quotes, permits, older-home safety, repairs and upkeep, checked against official sources.
Handyman FAQ: hiring and licensing
What does a handyman do?
A handyman handles repairs, small projects and upkeep around the house. Ours covers door, window, drywall, ceiling and deck repair, installation such as shelves and TV mounts, seasonal home maintenance and small repairs. See the services overview.
Do you need a license to be a handyman in New York?
New York has no statewide handyman or home improvement license. Only certain localities license home improvement contractors, such as New York City and a few counties, and Rochester and Monroe County are not on the state list. Trades like electrical and plumbing are licensed separately. Read the handyman or contractor guide.
Can a handyman do plumbing and electrical work?
Some minor tasks may be allowed depending on the work and local requirements. Gas lines, electrical panels, new circuits and major plumbing should be handled by the appropriate licensed professional. Rochester City Code Chapter 49 covers electrical licensing and Chapter 40 covers plumbing. We explain when a licensed trade is needed before work starts.
What is the difference between a handyman and a contractor?
A handyman does repairs and small projects. A contractor usually manages larger renovation or construction work, and may hold trade licenses or pull permits. Which one you need depends on the size and type of the job.
Do I need a written contract for home repairs in New York?
The New York Attorney General says home improvement work over $500 must be in writing. The contract should include the contractor details, start and completion dates, the work and materials, the price and payment schedule, and notices about liens, deposits and insurance.
Can I cancel a home improvement contract in New York?
Generally yes, until midnight of the third business day after you sign. The right can be waived only in a genuine emergency with a handwritten waiver.
How much deposit should I pay a contractor?
No source I found sets a maximum deposit percentage. The Attorney General says contractors must keep deposits and progress payments in escrow or provide a bond or indemnity insurance, and advises negotiating a small deposit and never paying cash before signing.
What are the red flags of a home repair scam?
Door-to-door offers, out-of-area storm chasers, pressure to sign today, demands for full or cash payment, no written contract, no references and a refusal to use escrow. The NYS Department of State consumer helpline is 1-800-697-1220.
Handyman FAQ: quotes and visits
How do I get a quote?
Call the number on this site and describe the job. You get a written quote before any work starts.
What happens at a visit?
We look at the problem, explain the likely cause, tell you what the fix involves and say when a licensed trade or permit is needed. Work starts only after you agree to the written quote.
Where do you work?
Rochester, NY and nearby areas, including Monroe County neighborhoods such as Park Avenue, Corn Hill, the 19th Ward, Highland Park, Charlotte, Browncroft and Beechwood.
What are your hours?
Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Handyman FAQ: permits and rules
Do I need a permit for deck repair in Rochester?
A building permit is needed when a deck is 18 inches or more above grade, and a $50 Certificate of Zoning Compliance applies whatever the height. The City handout does not say whether like-for-like repairs need a permit, so call the Bureau of Zoning and Permitting first. See deck repair permits in Rochester.
Can I build a deck in the front yard in Rochester?
No. The City of Rochester says decks are prohibited in the front yard. Attached decks are allowed in side or rear yards, subject to setbacks.
What is a Certificate of Zoning Compliance?
It is the City document confirming that land use and structural changes meet Rochester zoning rules. The deck handout lists a $50 fee.
Older homes: lead paint, asbestos and mold
Does my Rochester home have lead paint?
If it was built before 1978, assume it might. NeighborhoodScout reports that more than half of Rochester housing was built before 1939. Only testing by a qualified professional confirms it.
When do EPA lead rules apply to repairs?
The EPA rule covers paid work that disturbs paint in homes built before 1978. Minor repairs are exempt at 6 square feet or less inside per room and 20 square feet or less outside, but window replacement is always covered. See lead paint and asbestos in older Rochester homes.
What should I do about suspected asbestos?
If it is in good condition, leave it alone. The CPSC and EPA say not to saw, sand, scrape or vacuum suspect materials and not to take your own samples. Use accredited professionals.
Can I clean up mold myself?
The EPA says homeowners can generally handle areas under about 10 square feet, roughly 3 by 3 feet. Wet materials not dried within 24 to 48 hours are likely to grow mold. Larger areas call for qualified help.
Handyman FAQ: doors, windows, drywall and ceilings
Why does my door stick?
The usual causes are humidity swelling the wood, loose hinge screws that let the door sag, and a shifted frame. Tighten the hinge screws first. See why doors stick in Rochester.
Should I plane a sticking door?
Only after the hinges are tight and you know where it rubs. This Old House warns that over-planing leaves a loose door when the wood shrinks in dry seasons, and says to prime and paint bare edges afterward.
How do I stop drafts around windows and doors?
The Department of Energy recommends weatherstripping door jambs, tops and bottoms and window tracks, and caulking cracks to the outside. The National Park Service says repairing historic wood windows and adding a storm window is often more economical than replacement.
What size hole can I patch myself?
Sources disagree on the exact cutoffs. Spackle suits nail holes, a mesh patch suits holes up to about 1 inch, and metal or California patches suit up to about 4 to 6 inches. Larger holes need a cut-in patch. See the drywall patch guide.
Is my ceiling stain still leaking?
Active stains tend to be darker with sharp edges and feel damp or soft. Old stains are lighter, ringed and dry. Fix the source before patching. See the ceiling stain guide.
What causes ice dams and ceiling stains in winter?
The National Weather Service says ice dams form when snow melts during the day and refreezes at night. Attic insulation of at least R-30, and preferably R-38 in northern climates, plus good airflow, helps prevent them.
Why does a sagging ceiling need more than joint compound?
Family Handyman says a sag is a span and fastening problem. The fix is thicker drywall or furring screwed to the framing, not more mud.
Handyman FAQ: maintenance and installation
What should I do to my house in the fall in Rochester?
Seal air leaks, clean the gutters, check attic insulation, replace the furnace filter and test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. See the fall maintenance checklist.
How often should I clean gutters?
At least twice a year, in spring and fall, or about every three months if trees shed often, according to This Old House.
How often should I replace smoke alarms?
The U.S. Fire Administration says to test them monthly and replace them every 10 years.
Does New York require carbon monoxide alarms?
Yes. Amanda’s Law requires carbon monoxide alarms in one- and two-family homes, townhouses, condominium and cooperative units and multiple dwellings, with different placement rules for older and newer buildings.
How do I mount a TV safely?
Mount into wood studs, which are typically 16 or 24 inches apart. Follow your mount manual, which sets the stud, wall and fastener limits for that model. See TV mount and shelf installation.
Can I run a TV power cord inside the wall?
No. The Electrical Safety Foundation says extension cords should never be run through walls. Use an in-wall rated power kit or an electrician.
Do I need to anchor furniture and TVs?
The CPSC says about 22,500 Americans a year need emergency treatment for tip-over injuries. Anchor kits cost under $20 and take under 20 minutes to install.
Official sources and further reading
Every answer on this page comes from the pages below or from our own guides. Rules and figures change, so check the source for the current version.
City of Rochester
New York State
Federal agencies
- EPA: Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program
- EPA: Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home
- EPA: Protect Your Family from Exposures to Asbestos
- CPSC: Asbestos in the Home
- CPSC: CO Alarms
- CPSC Anchor It: 2022 report
- U.S. Department of Energy: Weatherstripping
- National Weather Service: Preventing Roof Ice Dams
- U.S. Fire Administration: Smoke Alarms
- National Park Service: Preservation Brief 9
Repair references
Still have a handyman FAQ question?
Call 585.555.0142 and tell us about the job. We answer every call.
100 Sample Street, Rochester, NY 14604 | Hours: Monday–Saturday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM