What It Means to Be a Legal, Ethical, and Honest Handyman in Arizona (Even Without a License)

Hey folks — I want to take a moment to clear up some confusion and answer a few questions that I’ve been getting about my business, Wild West Handyman Services L.L.C.

Some of these questions have been respectful, others not so much. Either way, I believe in being transparent, honest, and helpful — not just because it’s good business, but because it’s the right thing to do. So here’s the real story about how I legally and ethically run my handyman business in Arizona, even though I am not a licensed contractor.

Yes — I’m Not a Licensed Contractor (Yet). Here’s Why.

By law in Arizona, any advertising for handyman services must include the phrase “Not a licensed contractor.” You’ll see that clearly on all of my advertising — because I follow the rules.

I’ve done my homework. I went straight to the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (AROC) to learn exactly what I’m allowed to do as an unlicensed handyman, and what it takes to become licensed.

To become a licensed contractor in Arizona, you need:

4 years of verifiable experience within the last 10 years in the specific trade you want to be licensed in.
Proof of passing a business and trade exam.
A background check, surety bond, and insurance.

In my case, although I’ve been working in the trades off and on for decades (including framing, drywall, electrical, and general home maintenance), most of that was over 10 years ago. More recently, I was working in the cable, satellite, and IT industries. So my current construction experience on paper doesn’t qualify me yet — but I’m working on it.

That’s why I created Wild West Handyman Services L.L.C., to begin rebuilding my portfolio in a legal and transparent way. I take great pride in doing the work the right way, and someday soon I will qualify to become licensed — and when I do, I’ll be first in line.

So How Do I Stay Legal?

Simple — I follow the rules:

I only perform work that’s allowed under Arizona law without a contractor’s license.
I never take on jobs over the legal dollar limit, and I do not split up bigger jobs to bypass that rule.
I never perform work that requires a licensed trade professional, such as major plumbing, electrical, or HVAC installs.
I have a business account with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors so if there’s ever a complaint, I can respond quickly.
I’ve never received a complaint.

You can check for yourself on the official AROC site:
👉 Arizona Registrar of Contractors License Search

And you can verify that my company, Wild West Handyman Services L.L.C., is in good standing here:
👉 Arizona Corporation Commission Entity Search

What About Bonding and Insurance?

Some people have asked, “How can you be bonded or insured without a license?”
Here’s the answer:

A contractor’s license requires bonding and insurance.
A handyman can still carry general liability insurance — and I do.
Bonding isn’t required unless you’re licensed, but I run my business responsibly and carry the insurance needed to protect myself and my customers.

My Commitment to My Customers

I don’t hide anything — not my license status, not my pricing, and definitely not my values.

I do the best work I possibly can because I want every single customer to feel like they made the right call when they chose me. Not just because that’s good for business, but because it matters to me personally. The referrals, the repeat customers, the trust people put in me — that means more to me than any license ever could.

To everyone who’s hired me, referred me, or supported my business in any way — thank you. You’re helping me build a future where I can do even more for this community I love.

If you have more questions, don’t hesitate to ask — I’d rather explain it with facts than let rumors or assumptions do the talking.

And if you ever want to check up on any handyman or contractor in Arizona, here are your tools:

Search for licenses or complaints – Arizona ROC
Check a business’s legal standing – Arizona Corporation Commission

Thanks for reading,
— Shan Gilbreath
— Wild West Handyman Services L.L.C.
Serving with honesty, skill, and respect for every customer.