When planning a home improvement project, one of the most common questions homeowners ask is:
“Should I hire a general contractor or a handyman in Somerville?”
The answer depends on the size, complexity, permitting requirements, and long-term goals of your project.
At Velney Construction, we frequently receive calls from homeowners who are unsure which professional is the right fit. In many cases, hiring the right professional from the beginning saves thousands of dollars, prevents delays, and helps avoid costly mistakes.
In this guide, we’ll explain the differences between a general contractor in Somerville and a handyman contractor in Somerville, when each makes sense, and how to choose the right option for your project.
Table of Contents
- What Is a General Contractor?
- What Is a Handyman?
- When Should You Hire a Handyman?
- When Should You Hire a General Contractor?
- Projects That Usually Require a Permit
- Why Permitted Projects Are Better for General Contractors
- Construction Drawings and Estimating
- Why Handymen Can Sometimes Be More Cost Effective
- What Happens If You Receive a Stop Work Order?
- Why Homeowners Choose Velney Construction
- Serving Somerville and Greater Boston
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a General Contractor?
A general contractor manages construction projects from start to finish.
Unlike a handyman, a general contractor coordinates every aspect of a project, including:
- Pre-construction planning
- Budgeting
- Scheduling
- Hiring and managing subcontractors
- Pulling permits
- Coordinating inspections
- Ordering materials
- Managing safety
- Quality control
- Project closeout
General contractors are best suited for projects involving multiple trades, structural work, permitting, or construction drawings.
If your project requires the City of Somerville to review plans or inspect the work, chances are you’ll want to hire an experienced general contractor in Somerville.
What Is a Handyman?
A handyman specializes in smaller repair and maintenance projects that typically do not require permits or construction drawings.
Common handyman services include:
- Hanging doors
- Installing shelves
- Drywall patching
- Painting
- Replacing trim
- Minor carpentry
- Fixture replacement
- Caulking
- Small repairs
- Punch-list items
For these types of projects, hiring a handyman can often be the most economical solution.
Many handyman businesses consist of one or two people who perform most of the work themselves. Because they generally have fewer overhead expenses than larger construction companies, they can often complete smaller jobs at a lower cost.
When Should You Hire a Handyman in Somerville?
A handyman is usually the right choice when:
- The project is relatively small
- No building permit is required
- No construction drawings are needed
- One trade is involved
- The work can typically be completed in a day or two
- You’re handling routine maintenance or repairs
Examples include:
- Repairing drywall
- Replacing baseboards
- Painting a room
- Installing a mailbox
- Replacing interior doors
- Installing cabinet hardware
- Minor flooring repairs
- Weatherproofing windows and doors
These types of small construction projects in Somerville are often an excellent fit for an experienced handyman.
When Should You Hire a General Contractor in Somerville?
As projects become more complex, a general contractor becomes increasingly valuable.
You should consider hiring a general contractor in Somerville if your project involves:
- Structural changes
- Load-bearing walls
- Additions
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
- Basement renovations
- New windows requiring structural modifications
- Commercial renovations
- Multi-family renovations
- Fire or water damage reconstruction
- Accessibility improvements
- Major remodeling
Generally speaking, projects exceeding $10,000 to $20,000 often benefit from the planning, coordination, and project management that a general contractor provides.
Larger projects involve more moving parts, subcontractors, inspections, schedules, and documentation. Having an experienced contractor oversee everything helps keep the project on time and on budget.
Projects That Usually Require a Permit
One of the biggest differences between a handyman and a general contractor is permitting.
Many homeowners are surprised to learn that seemingly simple renovations may require permits.
Common permitted projects include:
- Kitchen renovations
- Bathroom renovations
- Structural framing
- New windows
- Egress windows
- Decks
- Additions
- Roofing (depending on scope)
- Electrical upgrades
- Plumbing alterations
- HVAC installations
- Commercial tenant improvements
In Somerville, permitting often involves:
- Construction drawings
- Engineering documents
- Building permit applications
- Trade permits
- City inspections
- Final sign-offs
These administrative responsibilities require time, organization, and experience.
Why Permitted Projects Are Better for General Contractors in Somerville?
One reason larger projects are better suited for general contractors is the permitting process itself.
An experienced general contractor in Somerville understands how to:
- Read permit requirements
- Coordinate with architects and engineers
- Submit permit applications
- Respond to city comments
- Schedule inspections
- Track permit status
- Maintain documentation
- Keep projects compliant with building codes
General contractors also maintain the licensing, insurance, and administrative systems necessary to manage these responsibilities efficiently.
Many handyman businesses simply are not structured to handle the volume of paperwork and coordination that permitted projects require.
That doesn’t mean they aren’t skilled—it simply means their businesses are designed for a different type of work.
Construction Drawings and Estimating
Another major difference is the ability to work from construction drawings.
Projects requiring architectural plans often involve hundreds of details.
Experienced general contractors review construction drawings every week.
Many firms—including Velney Construction—have internal estimating and pre-construction processes that help clients:
- Understand project costs
- Compare design options
- Identify cost-saving opportunities
- Develop realistic budgets
- Improve scheduling
- Reduce change orders
Some handymen may have limited experience interpreting construction plans, which can make estimating more time-consuming or less accurate for larger projects.
This is one reason homeowners often choose a general contractor for complex renovations.
Why Handymen Can Sometimes Be More Cost Effective
Hiring a general contractor isn’t always the best answer.
Sometimes it’s simply more than the project requires.
General contractors have larger overhead expenses, including:
- Office staff
- Estimators
- Project managers
- Project managers software
- Accounting
- Permit coordinators
- Insurance
- Scheduling systems
- Administrative support
Those resources provide tremendous value on larger projects, but they also increase operating costs.
Handyman businesses often have much lower overhead.
Many owners perform the work themselves, drive their own pickup trucks, and manage their businesses without additional office staff.
For straightforward repair work, that lean business model can translate into significant savings for homeowners.
Choosing the right professional isn’t about who’s “better”—it’s about hiring the right fit for the scope of work.
What Happens If You Receive a Stop Work Order?
Occasionally, homeowners begin a project expecting it to be a simple handyman job, only to discover that permits are required.
If the City of Somerville issues a Stop Work Order, it may be time to bring in a general contractor.
An experienced local contractor can help:
- Evaluate the existing work
- Coordinate with architects and engineers
- Prepare permit applications
- Meet with city officials
- Address code issues
- Schedule inspections
- Complete the project legally and safely
At Velney Construction, we’ve successfully helped property owners resolve stop work orders and bring projects back into compliance. Because more than 80% of our work is performed in Somerville and Boston, we’re very familiar with local permitting procedures and understand how to work collaboratively with municipal departments to keep projects moving.
Why Homeowners Choose Velney Construction
Velney Construction is proud to be a locally owned general contractor in Somerville, serving homeowners, investors, and commercial property owners throughout Greater Boston.
Our founder, Josue Velney, brings both practical field experience and formal construction education to every project.
Our qualifications include:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Building Construction Management from Wentworth Institute of Technology
- OSHA 30 Certified
- Certified Passive House Builder (CPHB)
- Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor (HIC)
- Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License (CSL)
- Massachusetts Real Estate Broker
- U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
- Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
- Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)
- Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE)
Our team specializes in:
- Residential renovations
- Commercial construction
- Tenant fit-outs
- Additions
- Pre-construction services
- Design-build
- Permit management
- Construction management
While we are not primarily a handyman company, we do take on select smaller projects depending on the scope of work, location, and client relationship. If a project isn’t the right fit for us, we’re happy to refer homeowners to trusted local handyman contractors we’ve come to know through our work in the community.
Our goal is to help every client find the right solution—even if that solution isn’t with us.
Serving Somerville and Greater Boston
Although our primary service area is Somerville and Boston, we proudly serve clients throughout Greater Boston.
Because over 80% of our work is concentrated in Somerville and Boston, our team has developed extensive experience with local permitting requirements, inspections, and construction processes. That local knowledge helps us guide projects efficiently from planning through completion.
Whether you’re remodeling a kitchen, renovating a multi-family property, updating a commercial space, or deciding whether you need a handyman or a general contractor, we’re here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I hire a general contractor or handyman in Somerville?
If your project is small, doesn’t require permits, and involves simple repairs, a handyman is often the best choice. For larger renovations, structural work, or projects requiring permits, a general contractor is typically the better option.
What projects require a general contractor?
Kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, additions, structural work, commercial renovations, and projects requiring permits or multiple trades are generally best handled by a general contractor.
Are handymen less expensive?
Often, yes. Because many handyman businesses have lower overhead and perform the work themselves, they can be more cost-effective for smaller repair projects.
Can Velney Construction help with permits in Somerville?
Yes. We routinely assist clients with permitting, construction management, inspections, and coordinating with architects and engineers for projects throughout Somerville and the Greater Boston area.
What if my project receives a Stop Work Order?
Contact an experienced general contractor as soon as possible. We can evaluate the project, help resolve permitting issues, coordinate with the city, and develop a plan to bring the work into compliance.
Does Velney Construction perform small projects?
Yes. While our primary focus is larger residential and commercial construction projects, we do take on select small jobs depending on the scope, location, and scheduling. If we’re not the right fit, we’re happy to recommend a trusted handyman contractor.