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Help around the house
Repairs, yard work, cleaning, a leaky faucet, the jobs that get harder to handle over time. Here's how to find help you can trust, tell a handyman job from a licensed-contractor job, dodge the scams that target older homeowners, and find programs that help pay.
Last reviewed: August 8, 2026
The short version:
- Small jobs (hanging things, yard work, cleaning) can go to a handyman. Bigger jobs, roofing, electrical, plumbing, AC, anything needing a permit, must go to a Florida licensed contractor.
- Always check the license free at myfloridalicense.com, get the job in writing, and never pay a big sum up front.
- Watch for door-to-door "I noticed your roof" scams. Report them to the Florida Attorney General at 1-866-966-7226.
- Lower-income or older homeowners may get free or low-cost repairs (USDA, Habitat, county programs) or chore help through the Elder Helpline.
Common questions
- Do I need a licensed contractor, or can a handyman do it?
- In Florida, roofing, electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, structural work, and any permit job must go to a state-licensed contractor. Minor cosmetic work generally doesn't need one. Verify any contractor's license free at myfloridalicense.com.
- How do I avoid a home-repair scam?
- Don't hire someone who shows up uninvited, get written bids and a contract, never pay more than a third up front, pay by card or check, and check the license and insurance. Report scams to the Florida Attorney General at 1-866-966-7226.
- Is there help paying for home repairs for seniors?
- Yes. USDA Section 504 grants (up to $10,000 for owners 62+ in rural areas), Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together, county SHIP rehab funds, and the Weatherization program can help lower-income or older homeowners. The Elder Helpline can point you to them.
- Who do I call for help with chores or yard work?
- The Elder Helpline (Citrus & Hernando 1-800-262-2243, Pasco 1-800-963-5337) can screen you for Older Americans Act chore and homemaker help. Dial 2-1-1 for other local referrals.
What kind of help do you need?
Most everyday home help falls into a few buckets:
- Handyman / small repairs -- hanging shelves, patching drywall, fixing a sticky door, caulking, assembling furniture.
- Licensed-contractor jobs -- roofing, electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, and anything structural or needing a permit.
- Lawn and yard care, house cleaning, gutter cleaning, pressure washing, and pest control.
- Grocery, meal, and prescription delivery (see also home-delivered meals).
Handyman or licensed contractor?
In Florida, the trades, electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, roofing, and structural work, must be done by a state-licensed contractor, no matter the price, and so must any job that needs a building permit. Minor, cosmetic work (painting, hanging things, basic caulking, pressure washing) generally doesn't need a state contractor license.
You may see websites claim a handyman can legally do "any job under $1,000" in Florida. That figure isn't in the law, so don't rely on it. The safe rule: the trades and permit jobs always need a licensed contractor; truly minor work generally doesn't. Some jobs also fall under city or county licensing, so check with the county building department too.
Verify any contractor's license first, free, at myfloridalicense.com (search by name, business, or license number). It shows whether the license is active and any complaints. In Florida, a contract with an unlicensed contractor can't even be enforced, so checking first protects your money.
How to avoid home-repair scams
Home-repair fraud is one of the most common scams aimed at seniors. The Federal Trade Commission and the Florida Attorney General suggest:
- Be wary of the unsolicited knock. Scam crews work older neighborhoods and claim they "noticed" a roof or pipe problem. Don't hire on the spot.
- Get two or three written, itemized bids and a written contract, even when the state doesn't require one.
- Don't pay a lot up front. The FTC says never pay more than a third of the total before work starts.
- Pay traceably, by credit card or check, never wire transfer, gift card, cash app, or cash.
- Check the license and proof of insurance before you sign. Refusing to show them is a red flag.
Been targeted? Report it to the Florida Attorney General's fraud hotline at 1-866-966-7226 (1-866-9-NO-SCAM) or myfloridalegal.com. The AG also runs Seniors vs. Crime, which helps older adults with disputes against contractors.
Free or low-cost repair help
For lower-income and older homeowners, real programs help pay for repairs and safety fixes. Rules vary, so treat these as starting points.
| Program | Who it helps |
|---|---|
| USDA Section 504 Home Repair | Very-low-income rural homeowners: loans up to $40,000 at 1%; grants up to $10,000 for owners 62+ who can't repay a loan. Must be in a USDA-eligible rural area. |
| Habitat for Humanity home repair | Critical repairs and accessibility work so older adults can stay home. Income-limited; contact the local affiliate. |
| Rebuilding Together | Free repairs and accessibility work, prioritizing low-income older homeowners, veterans, and people with disabilities (where an affiliate serves the area). |
| Florida SHIP (county-run) | State housing money run by each county for owner-occupied home rehab, often as a deferred or forgivable loan. Income-targeted; apply through your county housing office. |
| Weatherization Assistance | Free energy fixes (insulation, sealing) for households at or below 200% of the poverty level, with priority to residents 60+. |
| Older Americans Act chore & homemaker help | Light housekeeping, laundry, errands, and heavier chores for eligible adults 60+. Ask the Elder Helpline. |
How to find help locally
Where to start:
- The Elder Helpline (for the chore and homemaker help above, and referrals): Citrus & Hernando 1-800-262-2243, Pasco 1-800-963-5337.
- Dial 2-1-1 for free referrals to local repair, utility, and senior programs.
- County senior and veterans services offices, and faith communities, often run or know of volunteer repair and chore help. See your Citrus, Hernando, or Pasco page.
- Directories like Angi help you compare local pros, but always run the license check first.
Sources
- Florida DBPR -- verify a contractor's license. https://www.myfloridalicense.com/portalsearches/VerifyLicensee
- Federal Trade Commission -- how to avoid a home improvement scam. https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-home-improvement-scam
- Florida Attorney General -- protecting yourself from contractor fraud; Seniors vs. Crime. https://www.myfloridalegal.com/consumer-protection/how-to-protect-yourself-contractors
- USDA Rural Development -- Section 504 Home Repair loans & grants. https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/single-family-housing-repair-loans-grants
- Florida Housing Finance Corporation -- SHIP program. https://www.floridahousing.org/programs/special-programs/ship---state-housing-initiatives-partnership-program
- FloridaCommerce -- Weatherization Assistance Program. https://floridajobs.org/community-planning-and-development/community-services/weatherization-assistance-program
- Florida Department of Elder Affairs -- Aging & Disability Resource Centers / Elder Helpline. https://elderaffairs.org/resources/aging-and-disability-resource-centers-adrcs/
Please read: Nature Coast Senior Home is an independent guide. We are not affiliated with any program or company listed, and this is general information, not legal advice. Licensing rules, program eligibility, and phone numbers change; verify a contractor's license and confirm program details with the official source before you act. We don't collect or sell your information.