What handyman work requires a license in Florence, South Carolina?

Work that typically requires a license or a licensed trade professional includes: ANY electrical work beyond simple fixture changes — requires Residential Specialty Contractor Electrical License (RBC) or Commercial Electrical License (CLB); ANY plumbing work beyond simple fixture replacement — requires Residential Specialty Contractor Plumbing License (RBC) or Commercial Plumbing License (CLB); ANY HVAC system work — requires Residential Specialty Contractor HVAC License (RBC) or Commercial Mechanical License (CLB); ANY gas fitting or gas system work — requires appropriate state license regardless of cost; Roofing work — requires Residential Specialty Contractor Roofing License (RBC); Residential construction/renovation over $5,000 total cost — requires Residential Builder License (RBC). Always verify with your local licensing authority.

How much can a handyman charge without a license in Florence, South Carolina?

In SC, 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 Florence, South Carolina?

Q: What can a handyman do without a license in Florence, South Carolina?

In SC, a handyman can take jobs under $5,000 (labor and materials combined) without a contractor license. Common examples include: Residential work under $5,000 total cost (labor + materials) without a Residential Builder license — but specialty licenses (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing) are still required for those trades; Commercial work under $10,000 total cost without a Commercial General Contractor license — but specialty licenses still apply; Residential specialty work under $500 total cost (single trade) — but only if not electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas fitting; Minor drywall repairs and patching; Interior painting (non-structural); Basic carpentry and trim work (non-structural).

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

Handymen and small contractors in Florence, South Carolina must navigate a dual-board licensing system. Work under $5,000 on residential projects and under $10,000 on commercial projects may be exempt from state contractor licensing, but electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work always require state specialty licenses regardless of cost. All contractors doing business in Florence must obtain a city business license (based on gross receipts) and comply with state licensing requirements before applying for city permits.

The magic number in SC: $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

Residential work under $5,000 total cost (labor + materials) without a Residential Builder license — but specialty licenses (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing) are still required for those trades
Commercial work under $10,000 total cost without a Commercial General Contractor license — but specialty licenses still apply
Residential specialty work under $500 total cost (single trade) — but only if not electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or gas fitting
Minor drywall repairs and patching
Interior painting (non-structural)
Basic carpentry and trim work (non-structural)
Door and window frame installation (if not affecting structural integrity)
Fixture replacement (light fixtures, faucets, cabinet hardware) — but not plumbing system work
Owner-builder work on your own primary residence (subject to restrictions on frequency and requirement that owner or owner's employees perform the work)

Common Jobs Handymen Take in Florence

Based on the SC threshold, handymen in Florence commonly take on:

Residential work under $5,000 total cost (labor + materials) without a Residential Builder license — but specialty licenses (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing) are still required for those trades
Minor drywall repairs and patching
Interior painting (non-structural)
Basic carpentry and trim work (non-structural)
Door and window frame installation (if not affecting structural integrity)
Fixture replacement (light fixtures, faucets, cabinet hardware) — but not plumbing system work
Owner-builder work on your own primary residence (subject to restrictions on frequency and requirement that owner or owner's employees perform the work)

⚠️ What Requires a License

ANY electrical work beyond simple fixture changes — requires Residential Specialty Contractor Electrical License (RBC) or Commercial Electrical License (CLB)
ANY plumbing work beyond simple fixture replacement — requires Residential Specialty Contractor Plumbing License (RBC) or Commercial Plumbing License (CLB)
ANY HVAC system work — requires Residential Specialty Contractor HVAC License (RBC) or Commercial Mechanical License (CLB)
ANY gas fitting or gas system work — requires appropriate state license regardless of cost
Roofing work — requires Residential Specialty Contractor Roofing License (RBC)
Residential construction/renovation over $5,000 total cost — requires Residential Builder License (RBC)
Residential specialty work over $500 total cost (single trade) — requires Residential Specialty Contractor License (RBC)
Commercial construction/renovation over $10,000 total cost — requires Commercial General Contractor License (CLB)
Structural modifications or repairs affecting load-bearing elements
Water heater installation/replacement (may require plumbing license and permit)
Window or door replacement affecting structural integrity or exterior envelope
Any work affecting electrical panels or main service
Plumbing changes beyond fixture replacement (new lines, venting, etc.)
HVAC system installation, replacement, or major repair

What to Tell Clients About Your Scope of Work

In SC, 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 — Florence

Required. City of Florence Occupational Business License

Setting Up Your Business in SC

To get paid professionally and protect yourself, register your business. LLC filing fee in SC: $125 (one-time). You'll also need a free EIN from the IRS and a business checking account.

Your Next Steps to Operating Legally in Florence

Step 1: Determine your business structure (LLC recommended for liability protection). File Articles of Organization with SC Secretary of State ($125 online filing fee). Obtain EIN from IRS if hiring employees.
Step 2: Determine which state licenses you need based on the type of work you plan to perform. If doing residential work over $5,000 or any specialty trade work, apply for the appropriate RBC license(s). If doing commercial work over $10,000, apply for CLB license. Contact RBC at (803) 896-4696 or CLB at (803) 896-4686.
Step 3: Pass required PSI exams for your license type(s). Study materials and exam scheduling available through PSI and Carolinas AGC (CAGC).
Step 4: Obtain surety bond ($10,000-$15,000 depending on license type). Contact bonding companies for quotes.
Step 5: Register with SC Department of Revenue for a Retail License (sales tax permit) if you will be selling materials.
Step 6: Obtain general liability insurance (strongly recommended; often required by clients and cities).
Step 7: Contact City of Florence Planning Department at (843) 665-2047 to obtain a Zoning Certificate of Compliance and schedule Fire Marshal inspection.
Step 8: Apply for City of Florence Business License at (843) 665-3173. Provide proof of state licenses, zoning compliance, fire inspection, and insurance.
Step 9: For work in unincorporated Florence County, contact Florence County Planning & Development at (843) 665-3031 for permit requirements.
Step 10: If working on Shaw Air Force Base or other federal property, register in SAM.gov (free) and contact the base contracting office for access and compliance requirements.

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.