What's the NAICS code for handyman work?
Handyman work is listed under two NAICS codes, depending on the building. 236220 covers handyman service on commercial and institutional buildings, and 236118 covers it on homes and apartment buildings. Federal buildings are commercial or institutional, so for government work 236220 is the one to check first.
The codes, side by side
| Code | What the Census index lists | Small business size limit | New federal contracts and orders, FY2026 | Of those, under $250,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 236220 Commercial and Institutional Building Construction | Handyman construction service, commercial and institutional building | $45.0 million | 7,445 | 3,896 |
| 236118 Residential Remodelers | Handyman construction service, residential building | $45.0 million | 186 | 148 |
Size limits are average annual revenue over the last five years, from the SBA table. Contract counts are from USAspending.gov, October 2025 to September 2026.
236220 is a big code: most of its $53.6 billion in FY2026 went to large construction projects. The 3,896 new contracts and orders under $250,000 are where small repair and maintenance jobs show up.
Other codes worth listing
- 238990 All Other Specialty Trade Contractors ($19.0 million): fence installation, driveway sealing, paving and other single-trade jobs.
- 561210 Facilities Support Services ($47.0 million): running and maintaining a whole facility, often several trades under one contract.
- 561790 Other Services to Buildings and Dwellings ($9.0 million): light bulb and fixture upkeep, gutter cleaning and pressure washing.
- 238220 or 238210 Plumbing and HVAC, or Electrical ($19.0 million): if your handyman work leans toward one licensed trade.
Agencies don't always code the same work the same way, so listing every code that fits gets more bids in front of you. Our guide to which NAICS codes to list explains how.
Common questions
What is the NAICS code for handyman services?
236220 (Commercial and Institutional Building Construction) for commercial and government buildings, and 236118 (Residential Remodelers) for homes. Both have a $45.0 million size limit.
Which handyman code should I use for federal contracts?
Start with 236220, since federal buildings are commercial or institutional. Also list the codes for any trade you do a lot of, such as 238220 for plumbing or 561210 for whole-building maintenance.
See the open bids under these codes
Get a free bid-match report: open federal bids that fit your work and area, ranked by fit, with deadlines and what to watch for. It usually arrives within two business days.
Sources
- Census Bureau: 2022 NAICS index
- 13 CFR 121.201: SBA size standards
- USAspending.gov: contract awards, FY2026 (pulled Nov 2, 2026)
How we get our numbers: our sources and methods.