Hiring a licensed contractor means you have a couple of protections if they take your money and run: the contract, and their bond. And they have to have current insurance.
For painting, I could see hiring an unlicensed person. But I would make sure that I had insurance to cover myself in case they got hurt on my property. I would also be present… I’m not a fan of leaving strangers inside my home when I’m not there. Licensed or not.
Does the $900 include paint, drop clothes, brushes, etc. Does the $150/day include any of that? Did you get an estimate on time? If the handyman works slow, shows up late, leaves early – it might cost you more.
Personally – I’d kill a weekend and do it myself. I’ve got the paint stained clothes all ready to go. Tell some friends to come over with grubby clothes and offer them beer/pizza when the jobs done. Crank up the tunes and have fun.
