What does the law say about running a home improvement company without a contractors license?

I am a handy man and have a bussnes license and liability insurance but do not have a contractors license yet. i do not want problems and need to know the law regarding this.

It depends on the city, county or state in which you reside. Check with the business license folks and see what the laws are in your area.

The laws vary by state, but there is usually a limit on the amount of money you can earn on one job before you are required to have the contractor's license. You would have to check your state's rules for further details.

It depends on the state and city that you live in.

Here in the state of ct. if you get caught contracting without a licence. You go to Jail and you do not pass go and collect $200.00

This is to protect both you and the consumer.

Contractor license requirements vary from state to state. Some don't require it, some require for jobs over a certain $ amount.

I wouldn't be too confident in that liability insurance if you are doing work for which a license is required. I would imagine your policy has an exclusion for "illegal acts" which would be any job you did over your state's $ licensing threshold.

Also, if you get caught contracting without a license, it could jeopardize your ability to get your contractors license.

Contact your state Contractors Board/Registrar/etc. to find out what the requirements are in your state - and then take care of business. Whatever money you "save" by not getting a license and posting a bond is really not worth the risk. In CA, unlicensed contractors face fines, jail, and civil judgments - the law states that homeowners don't have to pay them AT ALL if they are doing work that requires a license. It's just not worth it.

A link to California's information is below.