To become a licensed handyman contractor in Virginia, you must meet the eligibility criteria set by the Board for Contractors. Establish Your Business Entity. Select Your Handyman License Class. Pick Your Handyman Specialty. Meet the Experience Requirements. Complete Pre-License Education. Pass Required Exams (If Applicable)
Landscapers who do not do construction, excavation or grading work but who offer maintenance and lawn care services do not need a state license to work in Virginia.
Any person who undertakes work without (i) any valid Virginia contractor's license or certificate when a license or certificate is required by this chapter or (ii) the proper class of license as defined in § 54.1-1100 for the work undertaken, shall be fined an amount not to exceed $500 per day for each day that such ...
In Virginia I must have a contractor's license to do any jobs valuing $1,000 or more.
You only need a license in Virginia if you plan to perform certain types of jobs beyond the scope of minor repairs. If your work will become a finished part of the structure (such as replacing flooring in an entire room) and the total for the project exceeds $1,000, you must have a general contractor license.
A Class A contractor performs on projects $120,000 or more, or more than $750,000 over 12 months. Class B is for projects over $10,000 (but less than $120,000) or more than $150,000 over 12 months. Class C contractors license is for projects over $1,000 (less than $10,000).
At minimum, a business located within the jurisdiction of a city or county will generally need a business license. A city or county may have additional licensing and registration requirements for certain business types.
Licensed contractors are required by law to provide a written contract for residential work, signed by both parties. Don't rely on verbal agreements. Get all guarantees, warranties, and promises in writing. Limit your down payment or deposit.
From business licensing to tax obligations, there are a number of compliance factors to keep in mind. For example, Virginia requires independent contractors to obtain a business license and register for state and federal tax IDs.
Virginia: All persons engaging in contracting work must be licensed. A general contractor can be subject to sanctions and fines for hiring an unlicensed subcontractor. In cases of fraud or misrepresentation, a contractor may also face criminal prosecution.