Handyman License Requirements in Clinton, MI

In Michigan, most "handyman" work is regulated through the state’s Residential Builder and Maintenance & Alteration (M&A) licensing system. If you perform (or contract for) home repairs/alterations for pay that total more than $600 on a job (labor + materials), you generally must be licensed as a Residential Builder or Maintenance & Alteration Contractor unless a narrow exception applies. Separate state trade licenses are required for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical/HVAC work, and local building permits may be required even when you are otherwise exempt from state contractor licensure.

⚠️ What Requires a Contractor License

The following work requires a state-issued contractor license in MI. Performing this work without a license exposes you to fines, stop-work orders, and civil liability:

• Residential Builder or Maintenance & Alteration credential for home improvement/repair work when the job is over $600 total (labor + materials), or when acting as a contractor for larger projects (state level)
• Electrical work beyond very limited replacements—new circuits, panel work, rewiring, service upgrades generally require a Michigan electrical license and permits
• Plumbing work such as running new supply/drain/vent lines, water heater installation in many jurisdictions, sewer line work—generally requires Michigan plumbing licensure and permits
• HVAC/mechanical system installation or significant service (furnace/AC replacement, ductwork, gas piping) generally requires Michigan mechanical licensing and permits
• Structural work (load-bearing framing changes, additions, decks) typically requires permits and often triggers Residential Builder/M&A licensing depending on scope and job value

State Contractor Licensing Law (MI)

Even under $600, you generally cannot do regulated electrical/plumbing/mechanical work without the applicable trade license, and many projects still require building permits/inspections. Also, if you advertise/hold yourself out as a contractor or take larger projects by splitting contracts, you can trigger licensing enforcement.

County Requirements — Clinton

Business license: Not required at the county level.

Special Jurisdictions & Zones

The following special jurisdictions may have separate licensing requirements:

• Selfridge Air National Guard Base (Harrison Township, MI) — Selfridge is within ~50 miles of Clinton (Village of Clinton, Lenawee County area). For any on-base work, start with SAM.gov and then confirm with the base operator/contracting office for current vendor onboarding steps.

City Business License — Clinton

Required. Local business registration / zoning clearance (typical) and building permits via the local enforcing agency

Permit vs. Contractor License — The Legal Difference

A license is your legal authorization to offer/perform regulated work for pay (state-issued for builders and skilled trades). A permit is project-specific approval issued by the local enforcing agency (city/village/township/county building department) that triggers inspections for code compliance. Even if you are exempt from state contractor licensing (e.g., small jobs), you may still need permits—and certain work may only be permitted when performed by (or under) a licensed trade contractor.

Business Entity Registration (MI)

To operate legally you must register your business. LLC filing fee in MI: $50 (one-time).

Compliance Notes for Clinton in Clinton County, Michigan

• Insurance: Michigan does not generally mandate general liability insurance for handymen statewide, but it is commonly required by customers, property managers, and for commercial jobs. A typical starting point is $1M/$2M GL coverage; workers’ compensation is required if you have employees (verify with Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity).
• Advertising/contracting: If you market yourself for home improvement over $600 or sign contracts above the threshold without the proper credential, you risk state enforcement and can have difficulty collecting payment.
• Permits/inspections are local: Determine who the enforcing agency is for each job site (village vs township vs county/building authority). Pulling permits without the proper license (or having the homeowner pull them improperly) is a common compliance problem.
• Trade work is separate: Holding an M&A registration does not let you do licensed electrical/plumbing/mechanical work unless you also hold those trade licenses.

Legal Registration Steps for Clinton

Follow these steps to operate legally as a handyman in Clinton in Clinton County, Michigan:

1. Step 1: Form your entity (LLC recommended) with the Michigan LLC filing ($50) and set up your resident agent/registered office.
2. Step 2: If you will take jobs over $600, apply for the appropriate Michigan credential (Maintenance & Alteration or Residential Builder) through LARA/BCC and schedule the exam as required.
3. Step 3: Contact the Village of Clinton Clerk/Treasurer to confirm whether the Village requires a business license/registration, contractor registration to pull permits, and home occupation/zoning approvals (and the exact fees).
4. Step 4: Obtain general liability insurance and set up Michigan tax registrations as needed (sales tax if selling taxable goods; withholding if hiring employees).
5. Step 5: Before each job, confirm permit requirements with the local enforcing agency; do not perform electrical/plumbing/mechanical work without the appropriate state trade license.

Work You Can Do Without a Contractor License

• Jobs totaling $600 or less (labor + materials) that are basic repair/maintenance and do not require a state trade license (researched threshold; verify with LARA/BCC)
• Interior painting, patching small drywall holes, minor trim/casing repairs
• Replacing cabinet hardware, door knobs/locks (non-fire-rated/specialty doors), weatherstripping
• Assembling furniture, installing shelving (non-structural) and curtain/blind hardware
• Minor caulking/grouting and tile repair that does not involve waterproofing system rebuilds or structural substrate changes

Research generated by AI. Verify all information with local authorities before making business decisions.