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Handyman License Requirements in Madison, AL

By , Founder of Bulletproof Handyman · Alabama rules checked November 12, 2026 · Madison local rules checked November 2, 2026

Madison straddles Madison and Limestone counties, so the county license comes from whichever county the business is in (the Limestone County License Commissioner says its license covers businesses inside Madison too). Anyone doing business in Madison city limits, wherever based, needs a City of Madison business license from the Revenue Department. Contractors must also file a general liability certificate naming the city ($100k/$200k/$100k minimum).

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Madison requirements

Madison straddles Madison and Limestone counties, so the county license comes from whichever county the business is in (the Limestone County License Commissioner says its license covers businesses inside Madison too). Anyone doing business in Madison city limits, wherever based, needs a City of Madison business license from the Revenue Department. Contractors must also file a general liability certificate naming the city ($100k/$200k/$100k minimum).

Source link: madisonal.gov · madisonal.gov · madisonal.gov · checked November 2, 2026

Local business license

Required

  • Name: City of Madison Business License
  • Office: City of Madison Revenue Department, P.O. Box 99, Madison AL 35758
"Businesses not located within the City of Madison but conducting business inside the Madison City limits are required to complete a Business License Application and return it to: City of Madison Revenue Department"

Source: madisonal.gov · checked November 2, 2026

Local contractor or handyman license

Required

  • Name: City of Madison contractor license (business license for contractors) with insurance certificate
  • Trigger: Any contractor or subcontractor doing business within city limits; must file certificate of general liability insurance naming City of Madison as certificate holder (min $100,000 bodily injury per person / $200,000 per occurrence / $100,000 property damage) and copies of applicable state licenses (HBLB, Gen. Contractors board, plumbing, HVAC, electrical)
"All contractors or subcontractors doing business within the City of Madison must provide a current certificate of general liability insurance with the City of Madison listed as a certificate holder. Minimum coverage is $100,000 for bodily injury for any one person, $200,000 for any one occurrence, and $100,000 for damage to the property of others."

Source: madisonal.gov · checked November 2, 2026

County: Madison County and Limestone County

The Alabama rule

Regulator: Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board (residential); Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (commercial/public, pools); Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors; Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board; Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors

$10,000
Alabama job-size figure

Ala. Code 34-14A-2(16): a residential home builder license is required 'when the cost of the undertaking exceeds ten thousand dollars ($10,000)' - i.e., $10,000.00 or less is exempt; over $10,000 requires a license. Residential roofers: license required when cost of the undertaking exceeds $2,500. Owners working on their own residence/real estate are exempt.

What counts toward it: labor+materials (statute: 'total cost of the materials, labor, supervision, overhead, and profit')

"or the repair, improvement, or reimprovement thereof, to be used by another as a residence when the cost of the undertaking exceeds ten thousand dollars ($10,000). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term includes a residential roofer when the cost of the undertaking exceeds two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500)."

Source: hblb.alabama.gov · hblb.alabama.gov · checked November 6, 2026

State registration

No separate state handyman registration found. Residential roofer licensees must submit a $10,000 license/permit bond naming the Board as obligee (HBLB FAQ).

Source: hblb.alabama.gov · checked November 6, 2026

Insurance and bond

HBLB law does not require insurance to get a license, but Ala. Code 34-14A-19 requires a residential home builder to tell the homeowner in writing, before work starts, whether it carries liability insurance. If insured, builder and homeowner may sign or initial with no witness; if not insured, both sign and one witness chosen by the homeowner attests (as amended by Act 2026-320). Roofers: $10,000 license/permit bond.

Source: alison.legislature.state.al.us · checked November 12, 2026

Forming an LLC in Alabama

State filing fee: $200.

Source: sos.alabama.gov · checked November 6, 2026

What to do, in order

  1. Read the Alabama rule and confirm with Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board (residential); Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors (commercial/public, pools); Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors; Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board; Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors.
  2. Line up the Madison items listed on this page.
  3. Get your insurance and rate in place before the first paid job.

Nearby places

Rules change. This page shows what official sources said on the dates above. It is not legal advice.