What can a handyman do in Darien, CT?
Connecticut's figure is $200 in yearly earnings. The exact wording below decides whether you fit.
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CGS 20-419(5)(A): work is 'home improvement' only where 'the total price for all work agreed upon between the contractor and owner or proposed or offered by the contractor exceeds two hundred dollars' (so a job at or below $200 is not covered; DCP's page loosely says 'less than $200'). CGS 20-419(4)(B): 'Contractor' does not include a person whose total home improvement contracts with all customers 'does not exceed one thousand dollars during any period of twelve consecutive months' (at or below $1,000/12 months exempt). Also excluded: subcontractors (case law/DCP), commercial property, new homes, tree/shrub cutting, work within scope of a trade license (20-428(4)). Applies to residences/rentals up to 6 units.
What counts toward it: other: total price for all work agreed upon or proposed/offered (statute says 'total price', not split into labor/materials, so effectively labor+materials). Separate annual exclusion: a person whose home improvement contracts with all customers total no more than $1,000 in any 12 consecutive months is not a 'contractor'.
"“Contractor” does not include a person for whom the total price of all of such person's home improvement contracts with all of such person's customers does not exceed one thousand dollars during any period of twelve consecutive months."
Source: cga.ct.gov · portal.ct.gov · checked November 2, 2026
What Darien adds
No Darien general business license or town contractor registration; permits through Building Dept (ViewPoint online portal, 2026 permit fee increase effective Jan 1 2026); trade name certificate at Town Clerk if using a DBA.
Source link: darienct.gov · darienct.gov · portal.ct.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Local business license
None found on official sources
- Office: Darien Town Clerk, 2 Renshaw Road, Room 101 (trade name only)
- Fee: not stated
"FORMS to be filed with the Town Clerk ... All registrants must sign the certificate and indicate residential address. (CT SOTS: 'Trade Name certificates are filed with the town clerk in the town where the business is transacted')"
Source: darienct.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Local contractor or handyman license
None found on official sources
"All permit applications are to be submitted electronically via our online permitting system, ViewPoint ... The General Contractor must be the one to call in and schedule inspections."
Source: darienct.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Jobs a handyman usually takes
Everyday jobs handymen take. In Connecticut, read the rule above first, because paid work may need registration whatever the job size:
- Mounting TVs, shelves, mirrors and pictures
- Assembling furniture and flat-pack cabinets
- Patching drywall and interior painting
- Caulking, weatherstripping and sealing
- Repairing doors, locks, screens and windows
- Basic carpentry, trim and small repairs
- Pressure washing and gutter cleaning
Trade work in Connecticut
Holders of trade licenses doing only licensed work are exempt from HIC registration (20-428(4)). HIC definition covers 'alarm systems not requiring electrical work'. No handyman carve-out for trade work found.
Source: cga.ct.gov · checked November 2, 2026
When a permit changes the answer
Needing a permit does NOT itself trigger HIC registration; registration depends on the price thresholds. Separately CGS 20-427(i): 'No contractor shall commence work unless each applicable building or construction permit has been obtained as may be required under the general statutes or local ordinances.'
Source: cga.ct.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Nearby places
Rules change. This page shows what official sources said on the dates above. It is not legal advice, so confirm with the office named before you take the job.
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