TL;DR
Call a HANDYMAN for everything under roughly $5,000 of work, single-trade jobs, and the home punch-list. Call a GENERAL CONTRACTOR for renovations, additions, anything requiring permits, multi-trade coordination, or structural changes. Hiring a GC for a single TV mount is overkill (and 2-3x more expensive than it should be). Hiring a handyman for a kitchen gut-renovation is asking for trouble — that's scope outside what a handyman license and training cover.
Side by side
| Dimension | Handyman (e.g. Sentinel) | General Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Typical job size | Under $5,000 | $5,000+, often $20,000+ |
| Permits required | Rare (small repairs) | Usually yes (additions, structural) |
| Trades on site | 1, sometimes 2 | 3+ (electrical, plumbing, framing, etc.) |
| Pricing model | Hourly or flat-fee per job | Bid on full scope, often %-based |
| Insurance | General liability | General liability + larger umbrella, often performance bond |
| License | NJ Home Improvement Contractor | NJ HIC or General Contractor license depending on scope |
| Best for | Punch-list, single fixes, pre-listing prep | Renovations, additions, gut-remodels |
| Timeline | Same week to same day | Weeks to months |
| Overhead cost | Low | Higher (project management, multi-crew coordination) |
Where Sentinel wins
For the home punch-list, single-trade repairs (drywall patches, faucet swaps, deck-board replacement), and pre-listing refresh work, a handyman is the right call. Sentinel handles 90% of what a homeowner needs — and we charge $95–$450 for jobs a GC would scope at $1,000+ because of the GC's project-management overhead. Our service list covers the work most GCs decline to bid.
Where General Contractor wins
For renovations and additions — kitchen gut-remodels, primary bath rebuilds, room additions, deck rebuilds with new footings, anything that needs permits and a structural engineer — call a general contractor. They coordinate the multi-trade work, pull permits, manage inspections, and carry the larger insurance coverage that comes with bigger jobs. They also charge more because they're managing more.
Pick Handyman if…
… you have a punch-list, individual repairs, single-trade work, or want to prep a home for listing — anything under about $5,000.
Pick General Contractor if…
… you're planning a renovation, addition, gut-remodel, or any job that requires permits and multi-trade coordination.
Common questions
Should I hire a handyman or a general contractor?
Hire a handyman for repairs and installs under roughly $5,000 — TV mounts, drywall, fixtures, assembly, punch-lists. Hire a general contractor for structural work, permits-heavy renovations, and multi-trade projects like kitchens and additions.
Is a handyman cheaper than a general contractor?
For small jobs, substantially — a GC adds project-management overhead (typically 10–20%) that makes sub-$5,000 work uneconomical. A handyman like Sentinel prices small jobs directly: TV mount $149–$199, drywall patch $95–$150.
Can a handyman do the work legally in New Jersey?
Yes for non-specialty repairs and installs. Work requiring a licensed trade — new electrical circuits, plumbing pipework, HVAC — must go to that licensed specialist, and Sentinel refers those out honestly.
