Do you need a license to work as a handyman in Harrison Charter Township, MI?

In MI, handyman jobs under $600 (labor and materials combined) generally do not require a state contractor license. Jobs at or above $600 require a licensed contractor. Always confirm the current rules with your local city and county before bidding work.

What is the handyman license threshold in Harrison Charter Township, MI?

The contractor license threshold in MI is $600. Handyman work priced below this amount (labor plus materials) generally does not require a contractor license.

Does Harrison Charter Township require a business license for handymen?

Harrison Charter Township does not require a separate city business license for handymen, though state contractor licensing rules and permits may still apply.

Handyman License Requirements in Harrison Charter Township, MI

By Ray Duke, Founder of Bulletproof Handyman · Last reviewed May 2026

Harrison Charter Township is in Macomb County, Michigan. Michigan does not issue a single “general contractor license,” but it does require a state Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) license for most residential repair/alteration work when the job is above Michigan’s small-job handyman exemption threshold. Separate state trade licensing applies for electrical and plumbing (and mechanical/HVAC licensing is typically handled at the local level in Michigan), and you may still need local building permits even when a state license is not required.

The contractor license threshold in MI is $600. Jobs at or above this amount (labor + materials) require a state contractor license. Operating above this threshold without a license is a legal violation.

⚠️ 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 repair/alteration/improvement work at $600 or more per job generally requires a Michigan Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) license (and possibly a Home Improvement Salesperson license).
Electrical contracting/installation work such as new circuits, panel changes, service upgrades, running new wiring, and most troubleshooting/repairs beyond very minor replacements requires a Michigan electrical license and permits/inspections.
Plumbing contracting/installation such as moving/adding supply or drain lines, installing water heaters where piping/venting/gas changes are involved, sewer/drain alterations, and most plumbing repairs beyond very minor fixture swaps requires a Michigan plumbing license and permits/inspections.
Mechanical/HVAC work (furnace/AC installation or replacement, ductwork changes, gas piping, venting) typically requires mechanical permits and often local mechanical contractor licensing/registration; refrigerant work requires EPA Section 608 certification.
Roofing, structural framing, load-bearing wall changes, egress window cutting, and additions/remodels commonly require permits and may trigger state HIC licensing depending on job value and scope.
Any work requiring a building permit where the permitting authority requires licensed contractors for that permit type (common for electrical/plumbing/mechanical).

State Contractor Licensing Law (MI)

This exemption does NOT allow you to do work that requires a separate trade license (electrical/plumbing) or to skip required building permits/inspections. Also, property maintenance/handyman tasks can still trigger permits depending on scope (e.g., structural work, water heater replacement, new circuits).

County Requirements — Macomb County

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) — If you are doing small repair work, the most realistic route is often subcontracting under a prime contractor already awarded the work. SAM registration is required for most direct awards and is completed at https://sam.gov.

City Business License — Harrison Charter Township

Not required at the city level.

Permit vs. Contractor License — The Legal Difference

A license is your legal authorization to perform or contract for a type of work (e.g., Michigan HIC, electrical, plumbing). A permit is site-specific approval from the local enforcing agency to perform construction work at a specific address, followed by required inspections. You can be ‘license-exempt’ for a small job and still need a permit (and inspection) depending on the scope of work and local code rules.

Business Entity Registration (MI)

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

Compliance Notes for Harrison Charter Township, Michigan

Insurance: Michigan does not typically require general liability insurance to get an HIC license the way some states do, but customers, GCs, and property managers often require proof (e.g., $1M per occurrence). Workers’ compensation is required if you have employees; verify with Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO).
Advertising/contracting: If you take contracts $600+ without the proper HIC/HIS licensing, you risk enforcement action and problems collecting payment. Keep written contracts and documentation of job totals (labor + materials).
Permits/inspections: In Michigan, permits are enforced locally. Always confirm which agency issues permits for the jobsite (township/city or county) and whether the homeowner can pull permits versus contractor-only permits.
Scope creep risk: A ‘$500 job’ that grows past $600 can accidentally trigger HIC licensing. If you’re operating under the exemption, control change orders carefully.
Sales tax/tax setup: If you sell taxable tangible goods (materials) you may need Michigan sales tax registration and proper invoicing; verify with Michigan Treasury.

Legal Registration Steps for Harrison Charter Township

Follow these steps to operate legally as a handyman in Harrison Charter Township, Michigan:

Step 1: Form your business (LLC recommended) with Michigan LARA (LLC filing fee $50) and get an EIN from the IRS (free).
Step 2: If you will do residential improvement jobs $600+, apply for Michigan Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) licensing (and Salesperson if applicable) and obtain the required bond (commonly $10,000).
Step 3: Contact Harrison Charter Township to confirm (a) whether any contractor registration is required locally and (b) which permits you must pull for your typical jobs; also confirm home occupation rules if working from home.
Step 4: Carry general liability insurance and, if you have employees, set up workers’ compensation; keep copies ready for customers and permit applications.

Work You Can Do Without a Contractor License

Small residential jobs under $600 total contract value (labor + materials) that do not require trade licensure (researched: Michigan HIC small-job threshold).
Interior painting and wallpaper removal/installation (no structural changes).
Minor drywall patching and trim/caulk repairs.
Basic carpentry repairs that do not alter structural elements (e.g., replace interior door slab/knobs, baseboard/trim).
Cabinet hardware replacement and minor cabinet adjustments.

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Licensing rules and fees change over time, so this information may be out of date. Verify all information with local authorities before making business decisions.