What Can a Handyman Do Without a License in Rochester, Strafford County, New Hampshire?
New Hampshire does not require a general state contractor license for handymen and general contractors. Instead, the state requires Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) registration through the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) if you perform residential work and carry the required $25,000 minimum liability insurance. Rochester requires building permits for construction work but does not impose a separate general business license for contractors. Electrical, plumbing, gas fitting, and HVAC work require separate state trade licenses regardless of project size. Most handyman work—carpentry, painting, drywall, flooring, landscaping—can be performed without a state license as long as you comply with local building codes and obtain required permits.
✅ What You Can Do Without a License
- General carpentry work (framing, trim, cabinetry, shelving installation)
- Interior and exterior painting
- Drywall installation, repair, and finishing
- Flooring installation (wood, laminate, vinyl, tile)
- Landscaping, lawn care, and garden work
- Roofing (asphalt shingles, metal roofing — but not structural repairs affecting the building envelope)
- Siding installation and repair
- Door and window installation (non-structural)
- Deck and patio construction (if not attached to the house or if attached but not requiring structural permits)
- General handyman repairs and maintenance (as long as they do not involve electrical, plumbing, gas, or asbestos)
- All of the above work can be performed by a handyman without a state contractor license, provided you register as a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) with the OPLC if performing residential work, maintain $25,000 liability insurance, and obtain all required local building permits.
Common Jobs Handymen Take in Rochester
Based on the NH threshold, handymen in Rochester commonly take on:
- General carpentry work (framing, trim, cabinetry, shelving installation)
- Interior and exterior painting
- Drywall installation, repair, and finishing
- Flooring installation (wood, laminate, vinyl, tile)
- Roofing (asphalt shingles, metal roofing — but not structural repairs affecting the building envelope)
- Siding installation and repair
- Door and window installation (non-structural)
- General handyman repairs and maintenance (as long as they do not involve electrical, plumbing, gas, or asbestos)
⚠️ What Requires a License
- All electrical work (installation, repair, replacement of outlets, switches, fixtures, panels, wiring) — requires state electrician license
- All plumbing work (installation, repair, replacement of pipes, fixtures, water heaters, drains) — requires state plumber license
- Gas fitting and fuel gas work (natural gas, propane, oil system installation and repair) — requires state fuel gas license
- HVAC system work involving fuel gas or refrigerant — requires state HVAC/mechanical contractor license
- Asbestos abatement or removal — requires state asbestos contractor license
- Well drilling — requires state well driller license
- Any structural modifications affecting the building's integrity — requires building permit and may require licensed contractor oversight
- Work on systems regulated by the state (electrical, plumbing, gas, mechanical) — always requires the appropriate state trade license regardless of project size or value
Business License — Rochester
Not required at the city level.
Setting Up Your Business in NH
To get paid professionally and protect yourself, register your business. LLC filing fee in NH: $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 Rochester
- Step 1: Register your business entity with the NH Secretary of State. Form an LLC by filing a Certificate of Formation ($100 fee) through NH QuickStart (https://quickstart.sos.nh.gov) or in person at the State House Annex in Concord. Alternatively, operate as a sole proprietorship (no filing required) or partnership (file partnership agreement).
- Step 2: Obtain general liability insurance with a minimum of $25,000 per occurrence coverage. This is required for Home Improvement Contractor registration and is essential for protecting your business.
- Step 3: Register as a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) with the NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC). Submit the HIC registration application through the OPLC portal (https://www.oplc.nh.gov/), provide proof of liability insurance, and pay the registration fee. Verify the current fee on the OPLC website.
- Step 4: Verify local requirements with the City of Rochester Building, Zoning & Licensing Services Department. Confirm whether you need a home occupation permit if operating from your home, and understand the building permit process for your specific type of work.
- Step 5: If performing electrical, plumbing, gas fitting, or HVAC work, obtain the appropriate state trade license from the OPLC. Contact the relevant board (Electricians', Plumbers', Mechanical Safety & Licensing) for application requirements, exam schedules, and fees.
- Step 6: Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS (free, at https://www.irs.gov/ein) if you plan to hire employees or operate as an LLC.
- Step 7: Register for New Hampshire state payroll taxes and workers' compensation insurance if you will have employees. Contact the NH Department of Employment Security (https://www.nh.gov/employment/) for details.
- Step 8: Before starting any project, contact the City of Rochester Building Department to determine whether a building permit is required and to understand the permit application process and fees.
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.