Choosing a contractor
How to Choose a Handyman in Charleston, SC
Eight checks for credentials, scope, insurance and a clear repair quote.
Eight checks for credentials, scope, insurance and a clear repair quote.
Handyman describes a service, not a residential specialty classification. Ask which license or registration covers the actual work on your list, and verify it with LLR.
South Carolina has different license and registration categories for different scopes of work. A larger repair bill does not automatically require every credential in sequence. Verify the current credential and authorized scope through South Carolina LLR before approving the work. See South Carolina residential contractor law and LLR specialty registration guidance.
This matters more for small-job work than for large, because a one-person business is the most likely to be uninsured and the least likely to be asked.
Ask the agent to send it, and ask specifically about workers’ compensation for anyone who will be on your property. A forwarded PDF proves nothing about whether the policy is in force.
An hourly rate with no list is not a quote. Write every job down, including the small ones you were going to mention on the day, and have them priced or at least ordered.
It is also the cheapest way to find out which items are going to need a licensed trade — the list is the diagnosis.
The owner-builder exemption has conditions for building or improving an owner-occupied residence, including personal supervision and sale or rental restrictions. It does not authorize hiring an unlicensed residential builder or specialty contractor. Confirm eligibility and required disclosures with the permitting authority. See Section 40-59-260.
The rating matters less than how the business behaved when something went wrong. A calm, specific reply to a bad review tells you more than fifty five-star ratings.
For small-job work, the reviews to read are the ones about not turning up and about a job left half done.
Confirm who will handle electrical, plumbing, gas, structural or other regulated work and what credentials and permits are required. Resolve the source of leaks before cosmetic repairs.
Ask whether pricing is hourly, per person, per visit or for an agreed task. Confirm minimums, materials, travel, disposal and approval of additional work. Compare the same list and exclusions rather than assuming one pricing method is always cheaper.
Southeastern Renovation coordinates work under SC general contractor license CLG.127339. Licensed trade subcontractors handle work requiring their trade credentials. Permit requirements and the responsible applicant depend on the project scope and jurisdiction; we identify those responsibilities and coordinate required inspections. We assess the task list and investigate underlying damage before confirming the written scope.