What handyman work requires a license in Germantown, Montgomery County, Maryland?

Work that typically requires a license or a licensed trade professional includes: 1. ANY home improvement work on existing 1–3 unit residential properties FOR HIRE — requires MHIC license (no dollar threshold); 2. Painting, drywall repair, and finishing; 3. Carpentry, framing, and structural repairs; 4. Flooring installation and repair; 5. Roofing and siding installation/repair; 6. Deck and porch building/repair. Always verify with your local licensing authority.

What Can a Handyman Do Without a License in Germantown, Montgomery County, Maryland?

Q: What can a handyman do without a license in Germantown, Montgomery County, Maryland?

Common examples include: IMPORTANT: Maryland has NO dollar-threshold handyman exemption. You CANNOT legally perform home improvement work without an MHIC license, regardless of job size. However, you CAN perform the following work without an MHIC license:; 1. Work on your own residential property (owner-occupied, not for hire); 2. Work on commercial properties (non-residential) — requires a different license type, not MHIC; 3. Work on new home construction (not regulated by MHIC; may require other licenses); 4. Work on buildings with four or more units (not regulated by MHIC); 5. Work on commonly owned condominium areas (not regulated by MHIC).

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

Germantown is an unincorporated community in Montgomery County, Maryland, with no separate city government. All handymen and residential contractors must obtain a Maryland Home Improvement Contractor (MHIC) license from the state—Maryland has NO dollar-threshold handyman exemption. The MHIC license costs approximately $404 for a new application (including exam fee of $63, application fee of $281.25, Guaranty Fund assessment of $100, and processing fee of $22.50). Specialty trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) require separate state licenses. No separate county or city business license is required for MHIC-licensed home improvement work, but building permits from Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services are required for structural, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work.

✅ What You Can Do Without a License

IMPORTANT: Maryland has NO dollar-threshold handyman exemption. You CANNOT legally perform home improvement work without an MHIC license, regardless of job size. However, you CAN perform the following work without an MHIC license:
1. Work on your own residential property (owner-occupied, not for hire)
2. Work on commercial properties (non-residential) — requires a different license type, not MHIC
3. Work on new home construction (not regulated by MHIC; may require other licenses)
4. Work on buildings with four or more units (not regulated by MHIC)
5. Work on commonly owned condominium areas (not regulated by MHIC)
6. Simple fixture replacement (faucets, light fixtures, outlet covers) — if you are NOT advertising as a contractor and NOT charging for labor
7. Landscaping and lawn maintenance (if registered as a Home Occupation with Montgomery County)
8. Consulting or design work (if you do not perform the actual work yourself)
CRITICAL: Any work you perform FOR HIRE on an existing 1–3 unit residential property is 'home improvement' and requires an MHIC license. This includes painting, drywall repair, carpentry, flooring, roofing, siding, deck building, and similar work. There is NO dollar threshold that exempts small jobs.

Common Jobs Handymen Take in Germantown

Based on the MD threshold, handymen in Germantown commonly take on:

4. Work on buildings with four or more units (not regulated by MHIC)
6. Simple fixture replacement (faucets, light fixtures, outlet covers) — if you are NOT advertising as a contractor and NOT charging for labor
CRITICAL: Any work you perform FOR HIRE on an existing 1–3 unit residential property is 'home improvement' and requires an MHIC license. This includes painting, drywall repair, carpentry, flooring, roofing, siding, deck building, and similar work. There is NO dollar threshold that exempts small jobs.

⚠️ What Requires a License

1. ANY home improvement work on existing 1–3 unit residential properties FOR HIRE — requires MHIC license (no dollar threshold)
2. Painting, drywall repair, and finishing
3. Carpentry, framing, and structural repairs
4. Flooring installation and repair
5. Roofing and siding installation/repair
6. Deck and porch building/repair
7. Window and door replacement
8. Kitchen and bathroom remodeling
9. Basement finishing and waterproofing
10. Electrical work — requires separate Maryland State Electrician License (Master, Journeyperson, or Apprentice)
11. Plumbing work — requires separate Maryland State Plumber License
12. HVAC/R installation and repair — requires separate Maryland State HVACR License
13. Gas line work — requires separate Maryland State Gas Fitter License (if applicable)
14. Any work on commercial properties — may require different licensing (not MHIC)
15. Work on new home construction — may require different licensing (not MHIC)
SUMMARY: If you are performing home improvement work on an existing residential property (1–3 units) for a fee, you MUST have an MHIC license. Specialty trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) require separate state licenses. There is NO exemption based on job size or contract value.

Business License — Germantown

Not required at the city level.

Setting Up Your Business in MD

To get paid professionally and protect yourself, register your business. LLC filing fee in MD: $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 Germantown

Step 1: Verify you meet MHIC requirements — at least 2 years of experience in home improvement, construction, or related education.
Step 2: Register your business entity with SDAT (Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation) at https://businessexpress.maryland.gov/. You can form an LLC ($100 filing fee) or operate as a sole proprietorship.
Step 3: Obtain general liability insurance (typically $300,000–$1,000,000 coverage). Contact an insurance broker for quotes.
Step 4: Prepare financial documentation or arrange a surety bond ($30,000 or $100,000) to demonstrate financial solvency for the MHIC application.
Step 5: Register for and pass the PSI Maryland Home Improvement Exam ($63 fee). Visit https://labor.maryland.gov/license/mhic/ for exam scheduling.
Step 6: Submit your MHIC license application to the Maryland Home Improvement Commission with exam results, financial documentation (or bond), insurance proof, and application fee ($281.25 + $100 Guaranty Fund + $22.50 processing = ~$404 total).
Step 7: If operating a home-based business in Germantown, register as a Home Occupation with Montgomery County DPS at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DPS/Process/zspe/home-occupation.html.
Step 8: Obtain building permits from Montgomery County DPS (https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DPS/) for any structural, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or other regulated work before starting projects.
Step 9: For electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work, subcontract to licensed professionals. Do not perform these trades yourself without separate state licenses.
Step 10: Renew your MHIC license every 2 years (renewal fee ~$456). Track your renewal date to avoid license expiration.

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.