A: There is a lot of confusion about who does what kind of home repairs. In the state of California, any project that makes an alteration to a property valued at $500 or more, including materials, must be performed by a licensed contractor. So an unlicensed "handyman" might be able to repair the drywall or paint a couple rooms or even replace a small countertop, but it is unlikely anyone could do all of these projects for less than $500.

As a rule, it is best to hire as few contractors as possible. Most contractors prefer to schedule medium to larger projects, even if that means combining several small repairs, rather than spending more time traveling to and from a job site. So I would start by trying to find general contractors who specialize in home repairs and can do everything themselves (or perhaps with some help from an employee or subcontractor).

If you can't find such a general contractor, then you may have to hire a carpenter to install the countertops and then a painter who will repair the drywall and paint (many painters offer both services).

Whenever you aren't sure which kind of professional you need, consider calling a contractor's referral service such as Home Advisor. Describing your particular project to a knowledgeable customer service representative is often the easiest way to find the most appropriate service professionals who work in your area.

To find reliable home improvement specialists, visit us at www.HomeAdvisor.com, enter a service request, and be matched with the ideal service professional in your area.

by Kathy Maynard, reprinted courtesy of HomeAdvisor.com