You can handle most cosmetic repairs and simple part swaps yourself: a worn toilet flapper, cracked caulk, a small hole in drywall, a cabinet door that hangs crooked. Call a pro when the job needs a permit, a licensed plumber or electrician, work on a roof or ladder above the first floor, or sanding and scraping paint in a home built before 1978. In Philadelphia, where most houses are old rowhomes, that second list is longer than people expect.
Repairs most homeowners can do
These jobs need basic tools, carry little risk if something goes wrong, and rarely involve permits.
- Running toilet. A leaking flapper can waste up to 200 gallons of water a day, according to the EPA WaterSense program. Replacing it takes about half an hour. Our running toilet guide covers the flapper, the fill valve and the chain.
- Small drywall holes and nail pops. Spackle, joint compound and tape cost a few dollars each (Taskrabbit lists spackle from $4 and joint compound from $5 a bucket). Anything larger than a fist, or any stain from a leak, is worth a second look before you cover it.
- Recaulking a tub or sink. Cut out the old bead completely, let the surface dry, and use a silicone rated for kitchens and baths.
- Cabinet hinges. Most modern cabinet hinges have two or three adjustment screws for height, depth and side-to-side position. A quarter turn at a time is usually enough.
- Drafts around windows and doors. The City’s Philadelphia Rowhouse Manual suggests weatherstripping old windows and taping over the pulley holes on double-hung sash to cut drafts.
- Smoke alarm checks. The American Red Cross recommends pressing the test button at least once a month, changing batteries in battery-powered alarms at least once a year, and replacing alarms every 10 years.
Repairs to hand off
Plumbing and electrical work
Philadelphia requires a city trade license for plumbing and electrical work, including work in one- and two-family homes (City of Philadelphia, L&I). Replacing a faucet washer is one thing; moving a drain line or adding a circuit is another. If you are not sure which side of the line a task falls on, ask before you open the wall.
Anything that needs a permit
Painting, drywall over existing walls, new cabinets and countertops, masonry pointing, and replacing doors and windows in a one- or two-family house generally do not need a building permit, as long as the property is not on the historic register (City of Philadelphia). Structural changes, decks, additions and most roofing do. For permitted work on an existing one- or two-family home, the owner who lives there or a registered PA Home Improvement Contractor can do it, unless it also needs an electrical or plumbing permit.
Old paint
Homes built before 1978 may have lead paint. For contractors, the EPA’s renovation rule kicks in when a job disturbs more than 6 square feet of interior paint or 20 square feet of exterior paint, or replaces any window (JLC). If you do this work yourself, the same lead-safe habits apply: plastic sheeting, no dry sanding, HEPA vacuum cleanup.
Brick, roofs and structure
The Rowhouse Manual lists masonry cleaning, repair and repointing as jobs better left to professionals. It also warns against sandblasting brick, sealing it with a non-breathable coating, or digging out a basement without help, which can undermine a party wall. A wall that leans outward is a job for an engineer, not a handyman. For roof problems, start with our guide to flat roof repair in Philadelphia.
A five-question test before you start
- Does it need a permit, or is the house in a historic district?
- Does it involve water supply lines, drains, gas or new wiring?
- Will you disturb paint in a house built before 1978?
- Do you need a ladder above the first floor?
- If it goes wrong, is the worst case a bad-looking patch or water in the ceiling below?
One “yes” doesn’t mean you can’t do it. Two or more usually means the job costs less with a pro than with a redo. Our handyman price guide shows what common jobs cost.
Why Philadelphia homes need extra care
About 41% of homes in Philadelphia County were built before 1940 (Economy League of Greater Philadelphia). That means plaster walls that crack when you drill without a pilot hole, original sash windows with weights and chains, soft 19th-century mortar, and shared walls where your repair can affect a neighbor. Our rowhome maintenance guide covers what to watch for in each part of the house.
Book a handyman for the rest
Handyman Services of Philadelphia takes on punch lists, repairs and small installs across the city. Send us your list: we’ll tell you which items are quick fixes and which need a licensed trade. See our handyman service, call (267) 669-8388, or request a free estimate.
FAQ
Can I replace a light fixture myself in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia requires a license for electrical work. Check with L&I or a licensed electrician before you replace or add fixtures, especially if the box or wiring needs changes.
Do I need a permit to replace interior doors or windows?
Replacing doors and windows in a one- or two-family home generally doesn’t need a building permit, unless the property is on the Philadelphia historic register.
Is it safe to sand old paint myself?
In a house built before 1978, assume the paint may contain lead. Avoid dry sanding and open-flame stripping, contain the area with plastic, and clean up with a HEPA vacuum.
What should I fix first in an older home?
Anything that lets water in: roof leaks, failed caulk around tubs, clogged gutters and cracked mortar joints. Water damage spreads and gets more expensive the longer it sits.
