How to hire a handyman in Vaughan: permits, licences and prices

Vaughan's housing drives the handyman list. Maple grew fast in the 1980s after Canada's Wonderland opened, and Woodbridge has production subdivisions from the 1980s onward, so many homes are now at the age where doors sag, caulking fails and original fences lean. Thornhill Woods and the newer parts of Kleinburg are mostly 1990s to 2010s builds, and the condo towers of the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre bring TV walls, shelving and furniture assembly.

What can a handyman legally do in Ontario?

Anything that is not a licensed trade. A handyman can hang shelves and curtain rods, patch drywall, fix doors, assemble furniture, mount a TV with no in-wall wiring, caulk a tub and replace a cabinet handle. They cannot, for pay, install or move a light fixture, outlet or switch, which the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) reserves for Licensed Electrical Contractors. They cannot replace a faucet, toilet supply line or shut-off valve, which is 306A plumbing, or connect a gas appliance, which needs a TSSA-certified technician.

Market ranges come from published GTA handyman rate guides, which put most handymen at $75 to $150 an hour with a minimum that covers travel and the first hour. Doyo's prices are the full price, Doyo's fee included, and hourly jobs show the rate, the estimated time and the total before you book.

Does a handyman need a licence in Vaughan?

For some work, yes. The City of Vaughan's business licensing covers renovators, fence installers, pavers, landscapers, pool installers and snowplow contractors, and requires $2 million in commercial general liability insurance for those licences. A handyman who only assembles furniture and hangs pictures is not in those categories; one who builds fences or takes on renovation work may be. Ask to see the licence, and call Service Vaughan at 905-832-2281 if you are unsure which applies.

Do I need a permit for a deck, shed or basement in Vaughan?

Often. Vaughan requires a building permit for any deck attached to the house. A detached, uncovered deck needs no permit if it is no larger than 18.6 m² (200 sq ft) and no more than 0.6 m (2 ft) above grade. Sheds over 10 m² (about 107 sq ft) need a permit, and so does finishing a basement. Replacing plumbing fixtures in the same place does not. Zoning setbacks apply even when no permit is needed, so check the distance from the lot line before building. The Building Standards department is at 905-832-8510.

When should I book a handyman in Vaughan?

Spring is deck and fence season in Vaughan: get quotes in March to build by May, before contractors' calendars fill. Indoor jobs such as drywall, trim and doors are easiest to book in late fall and winter. In new builds, wait through the first winter before fixing drywall cracks and sticking doors, since the house settles as the framing dries.

What should I ask a handyman before hiring?

• Here is the full list; which of these can you do, and which need an electrician or plumber?
• Is it a flat price or hourly? What is the minimum, and what is the estimated total?
• Do you bring anchors, fasteners and materials, or do I buy them?
• For fences or renovations, do you hold a City of Vaughan business licence?
• Will you take the debris away?

What are the red flags when hiring a handyman?

• Offering to move an outlet, add a light or swap a faucet as part of the job. That is licensed trade work.
• No written estimate. Ontario requires a written agreement for home repairs over $50.
• A large deposit before any work; Ontario's consumer guidance suggests keeping deposits to about 10%.
• Vague answers about who is doing the work, or a different person arriving than the one you agreed with.