Who Fixes Items From Home Inspection Reports?

A licensed handyman handles 80-90% of typical home inspection report items — plumbing, electrical, drywall, painting, carpentry, and safety items. For major structural work, roofing, or full system replacements, you'll need a specialist. But for most reports, one licensed handyman is your best first call.

If that surprises you, you're not alone. Most people get an inspection report back, see 20-30 items across six different categories, and assume they need to hire six different contractors. A plumber for the faucets. An electrician for the outlets. A painter for the drywall. A separate guy for the screens.

That's four phone calls, four schedules, four invoices — and a closing date that's getting closer by the day.

There's a simpler way.

Types of Contractors for Home Inspection Repairs

Not every item on an inspection report requires the same type of professional. Here's who handles what — and when each one makes sense.

Licensed Handyman

Best for: The majority of inspection report items (80-90% of a typical report).

A licensed handyman covers the widest range of repair categories: plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets and switches, drywall, painting, carpentry, screens, doors, windows, safety items like smoke detectors and handrails, and more.

The advantage is straightforward — one call, one estimate, one team. You're not coordinating five different contractors or collecting five different invoices for the closing file.

In Florida, look for a state license. An unlicensed handyman can handle minor work under $1,000, but they can't pull permits or guarantee code compliance. Chad The Handyman holds license CBC-1259887 — a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor license — which means the work meets current code requirements and is backed by real insurance.

General Contractor

Best for: Major renovations or large structural projects found in the inspection.

If your report flags something that requires multiple subcontractors, permits for structural modifications, or a full remodel-level scope, a general contractor manages that process. Foundation issues, room additions, major structural work.

For a typical inspection report? A GC is overkill. You'll pay more for the overhead, and the timeline is longer. Most inspection reports don't need this level of firepower.

Licensed Plumber

Best for: Major plumbing issues only.

Re-piping the house, replacing a sewer line, fixing a main water line — that's plumber territory. If your inspector flags any of those, call a licensed plumber.

But here's the thing: most plumbing items on inspection reports aren't major. Dripping faucets, running toilets, garbage disposal replacements, fixture swaps, missing shut-off valves, water heater TPR valve issues — a licensed handyman handles all of these. We do it on nearly every inspection job.

Licensed Electrician

Best for: Panel upgrades, full rewiring, or aluminum wiring remediation.

If your report flags an electrical panel that needs replacement, aluminum branch wiring throughout the house, or a full rewire, you need a licensed electrician.

Most electrical items on inspection reports, though, are much simpler: missing GFCI outlets (the #1 most common electrical finding in Florida inspections), non-functioning outlets or switches, smoke and CO detector installation, ceiling fan repairs, light fixture replacements, double-tapped breakers. All of these fall within a licensed handyman's scope.

Roofing Contractor

Best for: Roof replacement or major structural roof repairs.

Roofing issues show up on about 20% of inspection reports. If yours needs a full replacement, significant shingle repair, or structural work on the roof deck, that goes to a roofer.

We handle the related items that often appear alongside roof findings: damaged fascia and soffit, flashing repairs, gutter issues, and water damage to interior ceilings and walls from past leaks.

HVAC Specialist

Best for: Full system replacement, compressor failure, or refrigerant issues.

An aging HVAC system at end of life or a failed compressor needs an HVAC specialist. But minor items — thermostat issues, filter changes, condensate drain line problems, duct concerns — don't require a $150/hour HVAC tech. A licensed handyman can address the simple stuff.

Why a Licensed Handyman Is Your Best First Call

Here's why starting with a licensed handyman makes more sense than hiring specialists for each category:

Widest range of coverage. Plumbing + electrical + carpentry + painting + fixtures + safety items = one contractor. According to industry data, 86% of home inspections find at least one issue. The most common findings — electrical (18.7%), plumbing (13%), doors needing adjustment (55% of homes), drywall damage, fixture problems — are all squarely in a handyman's wheelhouse.

One appointment, not five. You schedule once. One team shows up. They work through the list. You don't spend two weeks coordinating availability between a plumber, an electrician, a drywall guy, and a painter.

One invoice for the closing file. Your closing agent, your realtor, the buyer — they all need documentation. One invoice with completion photos is infinitely easier than tracking down paperwork from four different contractors.

Faster turnaround. Most inspection reports take 1-3 days to complete. When you're working against a closing deadline, that matters. Coordinating multiple specialists can stretch repairs over weeks.

Honest about limitations. A good licensed handyman tells you upfront what's beyond their scope. We handle what we can and point you toward the right specialist for the rest. No guessing, no overcommitting, no surprises.

What a Licensed Handyman Can Fix From Your Inspection Report

Here's the quick-reference list. If your report includes any of these, a licensed handyman handles it:

What Requires a Specialist

We're honest about what we don't do. If your report includes any of the following, you need a specialist — and we'll tell you that before we start, not after:

• Roof replacement or major structural roof repairs — goes to a licensed roofer
• Foundation work — needs a structural engineer evaluation and a foundation contractor
• Full HVAC system replacement — licensed HVAC company
• Main sewer line replacement or full re-pipe — licensed plumber
• Electrical panel replacement or full rewire — licensed electrician
• Mold remediation (if extensive) — licensed mold remediation company
• Termite treatment — licensed pest control (though we repair the wood damage after treatment)
• Pool or spa equipment — licensed pool contractor

The good news: these items make up maybe 10-20% of a typical inspection report. The other 80-90%? That's us.

How to Get Your Inspection Repairs Done

You've got the report. You know a licensed handyman handles most of it. Here's what happens next:

If anything on your report does need a specialist, we'll tell you. We've been doing this long enough to know the right people to call in Estero, Fort Myers, Naples, and Bonita Springs.

Read the full details on our home inspection report repairs page. If you're a realtor looking for a reliable repair partner, check out our realtor partnership program.

And if you want a prioritized breakdown of what items actually matter on your report, read our home inspection repair checklist.

Frequently Asked Questions