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Handyman License Requirements in McHenry, IL

By , Founder of Bulletproof Handyman · Illinois rules checked November 2, 2026 · McHenry local rules checked November 2, 2026

City of McHenry has no general business license and no contractor registration/license for handymen (city FAQ: 'you are not required to register with the City or to purchase a contractor's license'). Building permits are required for most home-improvement work (Community Development, 333 S. Green St, 815-363-2170, apply via BS&A online). Home-based businesses need a free Home Occupation Permit. Electrical contractors need an Illinois community electrical license/registration or state master electrician license (Code 10-11-3). Official site is cityofmchenry.org.

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McHenry requirements

City of McHenry has no general business license and no contractor registration/license for handymen (city FAQ: 'you are not required to register with the City or to purchase a contractor's license'). Building permits are required for most home-improvement work (Community Development, 333 S. Green St, 815-363-2170, apply via BS&A online). Home-based businesses need a free Home Occupation Permit. Electrical contractors need an Illinois community electrical license/registration or state master electrician license (Code 10-11-3). Official site is cityofmchenry.org.

Source link: cityofmchenry.org · cityofmchenry.org · cityofmchenry.org · checked November 2, 2026

Local business license

None found on official sources

  • Office: City of McHenry City Clerk (business licenses) / Community Development (home occupation permit)
  • Fee: Home occupation permit: no fee
"No business license is required to operate a business out of your home. However, you will need a Home Occupation Permit... There is no fee"

Source: cityofmchenry.org · checked November 2, 2026

Local contractor or handyman license

None found on official sources

  • Trigger: Permit-required work (most home improvement); electrical work for electrical license/registration
"No, you are not required to register with the City or to purchase a contractor's license."

Source: cityofmchenry.org · checked November 2, 2026

County: McHenry County

The Illinois rule

Regulator: None for general contracting. Trades: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) - roofing contractors; Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) - plumbers/plumbing contractors. HRRA enforced via Consumer Fraud Act (Attorney General / private action).

No statewide general license
Illinois

No license threshold. HRRA Sec. 10: definition excludes 'maintenance, service, or repairs under $500'. Sec. 15: written contract/work order required 'Prior to initiating home repair or remodeling work for over $1,000'. Sec. 20: consumer-rights pamphlet for all contracts; signed acknowledgment only for contracts 'over $1,000' ('$1,000 or under' = pamphlet, no acknowledgment).

What counts toward it: other: no licensing threshold. HRRA contract rules: written contract required for work 'over $1,000' (total cost incl. parts and materials); 'home repair and remodeling' definition excludes 'maintenance, service, or repairs under $500'.

""Home repair and remodeling" means the fixing, replacing, altering, converting, modernizing, improving, or making of an addition to any real property primarily designed or used as a residence other than maintenance, service, or repairs under $500."

Source: ilga.gov · ilga.gov · checked November 2, 2026

State registration

No state GC registration. Plumbing contractors register with IDPH under 225 ILCS 320. Roofing contractors licensed by IDFPR (no handyman/small-job carve-out verified).

Source: dph.illinois.gov · checked November 2, 2026

Forming an LLC in Illinois

State filing fee: $150.

Source: ilsos.gov · checked November 2, 2026

What to do, in order

  1. Read the Illinois rule and confirm with None for general contracting. Trades: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) - roofing contractors; Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) - plumbers/plumbing contractors. HRRA enforced via Consumer Fraud Act (Attorney General / private action)..
  2. Line up the McHenry 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.