Woods Cross homeowners face a common dilemma when something needs fixing or upgrading — do you call a handyman, or do you need a full general contractor? Hiring the wrong one wastes money. Hiring the right one saves time, protects your home, and gets the job done properly the first time.
Here is a practical breakdown to help Woods Cross residents figure out exactly which professional to call for every type of home project.
What a Handyman Handles
A handyman service covers the repairs and maintenance tasks that keep your home running smoothly day to day. These are projects that typically do not require permits, structural modifications, or licensed trade work.
Common handyman tasks for Woods Cross homes include fixing leaky faucets and running toilets, patching drywall and repairing nail pops, replacing interior and exterior doors, installing shelving and storage solutions, fixing squeaky floors and sticky windows, replacing light fixtures and ceiling fans, recaulking tubs, showers, and sinks, pressure washing decks and driveways, and seasonal maintenance like gutter cleaning and weather stripping.
The key advantage of a handyman is efficiency. A skilled handyman arrives with a fully stocked vehicle and can knock out multiple tasks in a single visit. That leaky faucet, the cracked outlet cover, the door that will not latch, and the loose railing on your back steps — all handled in one trip.
What Requires a General Contractor
A general contractor manages larger projects that involve structural changes, building permits, coordinating multiple trades, and ensuring everything meets local building codes. In Woods Cross, the city’s building department requires permits for work that alters the structure, electrical system, plumbing system, or mechanical systems of a home.
Projects that require a general contractor include kitchen remodeling that involves moving walls, plumbing, or electrical, full bathroom renovations with fixture relocation, basement finishing projects that add livable square footage, room additions and structural modifications, and deck construction that requires footings and engineering.
The Gray Area — Projects That Could Go Either Way
This is where most Woods Cross homeowners get confused. Some projects can be handled by either a handyman or a contractor depending on the scope.
Drywall work is a good example. A handyman can handle patches, nail pops, and small areas of damage. But if you have an entire room that needs drywall replacement due to water damage or a renovation, a contractor manages the full scope including insulation, vapor barriers, and coordination with other trades.
Painting is another one. A handyman can paint a single room or touch up trim. A full interior or exterior paint job across an entire home benefits from a dedicated painting crew with proper staging equipment and premium materials.
Tile work falls in this gray area too. Replacing a few cracked tiles around a tub surround is handyman territory. A full bathroom or kitchen tile installation with waterproofing membranes and heated floors is contractor-level work.
Why It Matters in Woods Cross Specifically
Woods Cross has a housing stock that ranges from post-war homes built in the 1950s along 500 South to newer subdivisions near the I-15 corridor. Older homes in the established neighborhoods near Woods Cross Elementary frequently need a combination of both services — handyman-level maintenance to keep things functional, and contractor-level updates to modernize outdated kitchens, bathrooms, and basements.
The city is part of Davis County, which has specific building codes and inspection requirements that differ from neighboring Salt Lake County. Working with a company that knows both jurisdictions ensures permits are pulled correctly and inspections pass the first time.
The Valley Brothers Advantage: Both Under One Roof
The reason many Woods Cross homeowners choose Valley Brothers is that the company provides both handyman services and licensed general contracting from the same team. That means you do not need to manage multiple contractors for a project that crosses the line between repair and renovation.
Start with a handyman visit to assess the scope. If the work turns out to require permits or structural involvement, the same company scales up to general contracting without missing a beat. According to the National Association of Home Builders, homeowners who use a single company for related projects report higher satisfaction rates and fewer cost overruns than those who coordinate multiple independent contractors.
Based in nearby Bountiful and serving Woods Cross and the entire Davis County area, Valley Brothers brings over 15 years of local expertise to every project. Whether your Woods Cross home needs a quick repair or a full renovation, one call covers it all.
Call 801-450-9779 or visit slcmaintenance.com to schedule a free estimate.
