What can a handyman do in Little River, SC?
South Carolina's small-job figure is $500. The exact wording below decides whether a job fits.
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Tiered. Residential specialty contractor (trades incl. carpenters, drywall, painters/wallpaperers, floor covering, roofers, masons, insulation, siding, stucco, plumbers, electricians, HVAC) is required 'when the undertakings exceed five hundred dollars' (i.e., $500 or less is exempt; over $500 requires registration, or an exam-based license for plumbing/electrical/HVAC). Residential builder license required 'when the cost of the undertaking exceeds five thousand dollars'. Registration limited to 3 trade classifications; more than 3 requires a residential builder license. Chapter 11 (Contractor's Licensing Board): license required where 'the total cost of construction is greater than ten thousand dollars' for general or mechanical contracting (raised from $5,000 by 2023 Act No. 69, eff May 19, 2023).
What counts toward it: labor+materials (40-59-240(D) bond rule says 'total cost of materials and labor'; the definitions in 40-59-20 say 'undertakings exceed' / 'cost of the undertaking exceeds' without itemizing - treat as total job cost)
"when the cost of the undertaking exceeds five thousand dollars. Anyone who engages or offers to engage in such undertaking in this State is considered to have engaged in the business of residential building."
Source: scstatehouse.gov · scstatehouse.gov · checked November 2, 2026
What Little River adds
Little River is an unincorporated CDP. Horry County Treasurer - Business License: required for every person doing business in unincorporated Horry County incl. nonresidents (200% rates); zoning compliance first (Planning & Zoning 843-915-5340); license year May 1-Apr 30. https://horrycountysc.gov/departments/treasurer/business-license/
Source link: horrycountysc.gov · horrycountysc.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Local business license
Required
- Name: Horry County Business License (privilege tax, Ordinance 88-99 as amended)
- Office: Horry County Treasurer - Business License
- Fee: By NAICS rate class on gross income (not quoted for contractors); nonresidents/itinerants 200%; license year May 1-Apr 30
"An Horry County Business License is required of every person engaged in any calling, business, occupation or profession within the unincorporated areas (outside the city limits) of Horry County ... Nonresident and itinerants having no fixed principle place of business within the County are subject to all minimum fees and rates applicable multiplied by 200 percent."
Source: horrycountysc.gov · checked November 2, 2026
Jobs a handyman usually takes
Examples of everyday jobs that stay inside a small-job rule when the whole job fits the wording above. This is an example list, not a legal one:
- 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 South Carolina
Residential plumbing, electrical and HVAC: residential specialty contractor LICENSE by exam from the Residential Builders Commission for undertakings over $500. Commercial/other mechanical (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) contracting over $10,000: Contractor's Licensing Board (Ch. 11). No handyman carve-out beyond the $500 threshold. Counties/municipalities may require their own exam/license (40-59-240(C)), but not a second exam if the commission exam was passed.
Source: scstatehouse.gov · scstatehouse.gov · checked November 2, 2026
When a permit changes the answer
No statutory text found saying a permit requirement by itself voids the dollar exemption. 40-59-280: building officials must refuse a permit for an undertaking requiring licensure/registration unless the applicant shows license/registration or exemption. 40-59-265 lists minor improvements exempt from permits that an owner may do without a license.
Source: scstatehouse.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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