What handyman work requires a license in Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia?

Work that typically requires a license or a licensed trade professional includes: Any residential construction project at or above $5,000 total cost (materials + labor) requires a West Virginia Contractor License; Any commercial construction project at or above $25,000 total cost requires a West Virginia Contractor License; All electrical system work including outlet installation, wiring, panel work, and system alterations requires a Master or Journeyman Electrician license; All plumbing system work including water line installation, sewer/septic alterations, and system repairs requires a Master or Journeyman Plumber license; All HVAC system installation, service, and repair work requires an HVAC Technician Certification; Any work on projects at or above the dollar threshold, even if it involves only minor tasks, requires a contractor license. Always verify with your local licensing authority.

How much can a handyman charge without a license in Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia?

In WV, handyman jobs priced under $5,000 (labor and materials combined) generally do not require a contractor license. At or above $5,000, a licensed contractor is required.

What Can a Handyman Do Without a License in Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia?

Q: What can a handyman do without a license in Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia?

In WV, a handyman can take jobs under $5,000 (labor and materials combined) without a contractor license. Common examples include: Painting and decorating (fully exempt from contractor licensing regardless of project size per WV Code §30-42-3(d)(6)); Landscaping and lawn care services (fully exempt from contractor licensing regardless of project size); Minor drywall repairs and patching (under $5,000 residential threshold); Basic carpentry work such as trim installation, shelving, and minor framing (under $5,000 residential threshold); Installing fixtures, faucets, and washing machines (plumbing fixtures only, not system alterations); Mounting smart thermostats, video doorbells, and similar low-voltage devices (not full electrical system work).

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

In Charleston, West Virginia, handymen can operate without a contractor license for residential projects under $5,000 (or conservatively $2,500) in total materials and labor cost, provided they obtain a West Virginia Business Registration Certificate ($30, one-time) and a City of Charleston Business License ($20 annually). Painting and landscaping are fully exempt from contractor licensing regardless of project size. Work exceeding the threshold, or any electrical, plumbing, or HVAC system work, requires a state contractor license ($90 application + $59.95 exam, $90 annual renewal). All businesses must also register with the WV State Tax Department and comply with Charleston's B&O tax (2% of gross receipts on contracting work).

The magic number in WV: $5,000. Jobs under $5,000 (labor + materials combined) don't require a contractor license — you can take those as a handyman. Jobs at or above $5,000 require a contractor license. Know your number, know your limit.

✅ What You Can Do Without a License

Painting and decorating (fully exempt from contractor licensing regardless of project size per WV Code §30-42-3(d)(6))
Landscaping and lawn care services (fully exempt from contractor licensing regardless of project size)
Minor drywall repairs and patching (under $5,000 residential threshold)
Basic carpentry work such as trim installation, shelving, and minor framing (under $5,000 residential threshold)
Installing fixtures, faucets, and washing machines (plumbing fixtures only, not system alterations)
Mounting smart thermostats, video doorbells, and similar low-voltage devices (not full electrical system work)
Locating and repairing minor plumbing leaks (not involving water line or sewer/septic system alterations)
Changing HVAC filters and cleaning ducts (not system installation or repair)

Common Jobs Handymen Take in Charleston

Based on the WV threshold, handymen in Charleston commonly take on:

Painting and decorating (fully exempt from contractor licensing regardless of project size per WV Code §30-42-3(d)(6))
Minor drywall repairs and patching (under $5,000 residential threshold)
Basic carpentry work such as trim installation, shelving, and minor framing (under $5,000 residential threshold)
Installing fixtures, faucets, and washing machines (plumbing fixtures only, not system alterations)
Mounting smart thermostats, video doorbells, and similar low-voltage devices (not full electrical system work)
Locating and repairing minor plumbing leaks (not involving water line or sewer/septic system alterations)
Changing HVAC filters and cleaning ducts (not system installation or repair)

⚠️ What Requires a License

Any residential construction project at or above $5,000 total cost (materials + labor) requires a West Virginia Contractor License
Any commercial construction project at or above $25,000 total cost requires a West Virginia Contractor License
All electrical system work including outlet installation, wiring, panel work, and system alterations requires a Master or Journeyman Electrician license
All plumbing system work including water line installation, sewer/septic alterations, and system repairs requires a Master or Journeyman Plumber license
All HVAC system installation, service, and repair work requires an HVAC Technician Certification
Any work on projects at or above the dollar threshold, even if it involves only minor tasks, requires a contractor license

What to Tell Clients About Your Scope of Work

In WV, you can take jobs under $5,000 (labor + materials) without a contractor license. When a client asks, be straightforward: for jobs under this threshold, you're operating legally as a handyman. For larger projects, refer them to a licensed contractor or get licensed before bidding that work.

Business License — Charleston

Required. City of Charleston General Business License

Setting Up Your Business in WV

To get paid professionally and protect yourself, register your business. LLC filing fee in WV: $100 (one-time). You'll also need a free EIN from the IRS and a business checking account.

Your Next Steps to Operating Legally in Charleston

Step 1: Register your business with the WV State Tax Department to obtain a Business Registration Certificate ($30, one-time) via https://business4.wv.gov/ or by filing Form WV/BUS-APP. This provides your Business Registration Tax Number.
Step 2: Obtain a City of Charleston General Business License ($20 annually) by contacting the City Collector's Office at (304) 348-8000 or visiting https://www.charlestonwv.gov/government/business-startup
Step 3: If your project threshold exceeds $5,000 (residential) or $25,000 (commercial), or if you plan to perform electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work, apply for a West Virginia Contractor License through the Contractor Licensing Board at (304) 558-7890 or https://labor.wv.gov/ ($90 application + $59.95 per exam).
Step 4: Obtain general liability insurance before starting work. If you have employees, also obtain workers' compensation and unemployment insurance.
Step 5: If operating from home, verify whether a Home Occupation Permit is required with the City of Charleston Building Commission at (304) 348-8000.
Step 6: If using a trade name, file a DBA registration with the Kanawha County Clerk at (304) 357-0130.
Step 7: For each project, obtain any required building permits from the City of Charleston (for work within city limits) or Kanawha County (for unincorporated areas). Verify historic district compliance if applicable.
Step 8: Understand your B&O tax obligations (2% of gross receipts on contracting work in Charleston) and file accordingly when permits are issued.

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