What Can a Handyman Do Without a License in Grosse Pointe, Michigan?

In Michigan, there is no single “general contractor license,” but residential builders and maintenance & alteration (home improvement) contractors must be licensed by the state for most paid-for residential work. A limited handyman-style exemption exists for very small jobs (generally under a set dollar cap per job, including labor and materials), but it does not allow you to perform licensed electrical/plumbing/mechanical work or pull permits as a licensed trade contractor. In Grosse Pointe (Wayne County), you should also expect local registration and building permit requirements even when state licensing isn’t required for a specific small job.

The magic number in MI: $600. Jobs under $600 (labor + materials combined) don't require a contractor license — you can take those as a handyman. Jobs at or above $600 require a contractor license. Know your number, know your limit.

✅ What You Can Do Without a License

Jobs under $600 total contract price (labor + materials) that do not involve licensed trades (researched Michigan small-job exemption threshold)
Interior painting, patching, and minor drywall repairs (non-structural)
Replacing cabinet hardware, door knobs/locks, and installing pre-hung interior doors (no structural changes)
Minor carpentry like baseboard/trim replacement and small non-structural wood repairs
Assembling furniture, shelving units, and installing curtain rods/blinds (where no electrical is involved)
Caulking, weatherstripping, and minor window/door adjustments (not full window replacement altering structure)
Gutter cleaning and minor exterior maintenance (non-roofing trade work and within safe practices)
Deck staining/sealing and minor surface repairs that do not alter structural components

Common Jobs Handymen Take in Grosse Pointe

Based on the MI threshold, handymen in Grosse Pointe commonly take on:

Interior painting, patching, and minor drywall repairs (non-structural)
Replacing cabinet hardware, door knobs/locks, and installing pre-hung interior doors (no structural changes)
Minor carpentry like baseboard/trim replacement and small non-structural wood repairs
Assembling furniture, shelving units, and installing curtain rods/blinds (where no electrical is involved)
Caulking, weatherstripping, and minor window/door adjustments (not full window replacement altering structure)
Gutter cleaning and minor exterior maintenance (non-roofing trade work and within safe practices)
Deck staining/sealing and minor surface repairs that do not alter structural components

⚠️ What Requires a License

Maintenance & Alteration Contractor license (or Residential Builder license) for residential repair/alteration work at or above the $600 threshold per job (labor + materials), unless another specific exemption applies
Electrical work requiring an electrician license and an electrical permit/inspection (e.g., new circuits, panel work, wiring alterations; many fixture installations are regulated)
Plumbing system installation/alteration requiring licensed plumbing contractor and permits (e.g., moving/adding supply lines/drains, water heater replacement where regulated by permit and trade rules)
Mechanical/HVAC work requiring a Michigan mechanical contractor license (e.g., furnace/AC installation, ductwork, many gas piping/appliance connection tasks)
Roofing/siding/structural framing or alterations that trigger building permits and may require licensed contracting depending on scope and local enforcement
Projects requiring permits where the enforcing agency requires the permit applicant to be a licensed contractor in that trade (common for electrical/plumbing/mechanical)

What to Tell Clients About Your Scope of Work

In MI, you can take jobs under $600 (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 — Grosse Pointe

Required. Contractor Registration / Business License (city-level contractor registration typically required to pull permits)

Setting Up Your Business in MI

To get paid professionally and protect yourself, register your business. LLC filing fee in MI: $50 (one-time). You'll also need a free EIN from the IRS and a business checking account.

Your Next Steps to Operating Legally in Grosse Pointe

Step 1: Register your business entity (LLC recommended) with Michigan ($50 filing fee).
Step 2: Confirm whether your typical job sizes exceed $600; if yes, pursue the Michigan Maintenance & Alteration Contractor license (and/or Residential Builder license depending on scope).
Step 3: Obtain city contractor registration/business licensing from the City of Grosse Pointe (often required to pull permits) and learn their permit process.
Step 4: Get general liability insurance (and workers’ comp if applicable) and keep certificates ready for city registration.
Step 5: If you will do electrical/plumbing/HVAC, pursue the correct Michigan trade license(s) or subcontract to licensed trades.

Research generated by AI. Verify all requirements with your local licensing authority before making business decisions.