I finally found a handyman who has been great — does a good job at a very reasonable price. However, he’s unlicensed & uninsured…has his own little “business” with little business cards and everything, but apparently not official in any way — I doubt he would know the Florida Dept of Revenue’s contact information, for example 
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Anyway, he has roofing experience and I’m tempted to use him for some roofing repairs that our rental desparately needs. However, roofing is more dangerous than a lot of other repairs and couldn’t I be held liable if he hurts himself? Is there anyway I could protect myself from liability in the event that he hurts someone or is negligent and someone else gets hurt during the job? Perhaps a waiver or something? If you strongly recommend I steer clear of him for the roof, what exactly do I need to see from a potential repairman (independent contractor) to be sure I won’t be held liable?
Never use unlicensed repairmen, unless it’s like a friend or neighbor offering a hand. If he’s so good at what he does, why isn’t he licensed? Sounds pretty fishy to me.
I wouldn’t use one that wasn’t licensed and bonded.
If you hire someone who’s unlicensed and uninsured you run the risk of not having your roof done properly. Not only that, you will have no recourse if things go wrong. IF something were to happen to him on your property he could sue you for any damages incurred. That includes loss of income if he got hurt. Pain and suffering costs. I’d be careful about hiring anyone not licensed if I were you. Lawyers don’t come cheap.
I would not use him–period! If he hurts himself or your property, you are stuck with it with a waiver or not. I would use him for simple things but nothing where he can fall and hurt himself. My parents built a house a few years back and their roofer fell of the roof and is now paralzed. He was insured and bonded and my parents had to do nothing but find another roofer.
NO WAY! He may be terrific but if something happens to him you could be held liable for ALL costs. Also, if there is a problem with your roof that causes damage later on, and it is his fault, your insurance will tell you “No liscense? No coverage!”
It’s way too risky, you need permits for that kind of repair and for City Inspectors to buy off the work done.
If you plan to sell the house later, and you have had work that was done without permits, you may have to have them redone, to secure the sale. The buyer may have a problem getting a mortgage to buy your house.
Then as you stated, roof repair, can be hazardous, and if he or a worker falls and gets injured, you may be up the creek.
For smaller jobs, he may just be the man, but for something as large as a roofing job. Go with licensed contractor, that way you at least have coverage and if the job isn’t done right, some recourse in court.
NNOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! Let me tell you my experience: We don’t have a lot of weather here, but we do ge a lot of high, intense winds. About 10 years ago, we had strong winds and we lost the roof of our home (it is insured). We thought we had hired the most reasonably priced individual for the labor involved. He even went so far as to give us a 25 year warranty on the roof. WELL, it’s only been 10 years, and I had to have a section of that roof repaired, AAAANNNNDDD guess what? YUP! The man was no where to be found. In trying to research him, turns out he was reported to the Better Business Bureau and to the local Police Dept. for defrauding several individuals. I guess I was luckier than most, because at least I got the work done, although not as good or solid as he said that it was. I had to fork out another $3,000 to repair just a section of that roof this year. This time, I took someone that was recommended by the Better Business Bureau. Hope you will learn from my mistake! Good Luck!
I haven’t read question in detail, as far as u don’t have legal issues and if u trust the roofer, go ahead i guess
I am not in the state of Florida, but in California, a contractor should carry General Liability Insurance to cover a homeowner against third party bodily injury and accidental property damage. He cannot obtain this insurance if he is not a licensed contractor. As his employer, you may also be held liable for worker’s compensation if he gets hurt on the job.
Is this a real question??? Of course not!