What Can a Handyman Do in Savannah, Tennessee?

In Tennessee, most “handyman” work can be done without a state contractor license as long as each job stays under the state’s contractor license threshold and you do not perform regulated trade work (electrical/plumbing/HVAC) that requires a separate license and permits. In Savannah (Hardin County), you will typically need a local business license (city and/or county depending on where you operate) even when you are exempt from the state contractor license. Tennessee’s key state threshold is generally $25,000 per project (labor + materials) for contractor licensing; mechanical/electrical/plumbing work is regulated separately and often requires a licensed contractor and permits.

✅ What You Can Do Without a License

• General handyman repairs under $25,000 total contract value per project (labor + materials), excluding regulated trades (researched)
• Interior/exterior painting and staining (no structural changes; follow lead-safe rules for older homes) (researched)
• Minor drywall patching/repair, texture matching, and trim repairs (researched)
• Basic carpentry like replacing interior doors/locks, installing shelves, hanging cabinets where no structural changes or major electrical/plumbing modifications are involved (researched)
• Gutter cleaning, pressure washing, minor exterior maintenance (researched)
• Replacing faucets/fixtures as a like-for-like swap only where local code allows and permits are not required (verify locally) (variable)
• Installing appliances that plug into existing outlets and connect to existing hookups without modifying circuits/piping (variable)
• Flooring installation (LVP/laminate/tile) where no structural subfloor repairs or plumbing relocation is needed (researched)

⚠️ What Requires a License

• Any project (labor + materials) at or above $25,000 typically requires a Tennessee contractor license (researched)
• New electrical circuits, panel/service work, rewires, meter base work, or most commercial electrical work—typically requires licensed electrical contractor and permits/inspection (researched)
• Plumbing system modifications (moving supply/drain lines, installing water heaters where permit required, DWV work, sewer/water service work)—typically requires licensed plumbing contractor and permits/inspection (researched)
• HVAC/mechanical system installation, replacement, or major repair—typically requires licensed contractor; refrigerant handling requires EPA 608 certification (researched)
• Gas piping installation/alteration (natural gas/propane)—often requires licensed gas/mechanical contractor and permits/inspection (researched)
• Structural work (load-bearing walls, framing changes, additions), roofing replacement in many jurisdictions, and any work requiring engineered plans—permits required and may trigger licensed contractor requirements (variable by scope/local rules)

State Licensing Rules (TN)

This is NOT an exemption from permits, inspections, or local business tax licensing. It also does not authorize you to perform work that requires a licensed electrician/plumber/HVAC contractor under state/local rules. Projects must not be split into smaller contracts to evade the threshold.

Business License — Savannah

Required. City of Savannah Business License / Business Tax License (local business tax)

Permit vs. Contractor License — What's the Difference?

A license is your legal authorization to do certain types/values of work (and to pull permits in many cases). A permit is job-specific approval from the local building authority to perform work that affects safety/code compliance (structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical). Even if you are under Tennessee’s contractor-license threshold, you may still need permits and inspections for certain tasks—and some permits can only be pulled by a properly licensed contractor.

Important Notes for Savannah, Tennessee Handymen

• Insurance: Tennessee does not mandate general liability for all handymen by default, but cities/customers frequently require proof (commonly $1,000,000 per occurrence). If you hire employees, workers’ compensation rules apply (researched).
• Do not split a single project into multiple smaller invoices to stay under the $25,000 threshold; regulators treat that as evasion (researched).
• If you advertise as a ‘contractor’ or bid larger projects, ensure your licensing classification matches the work type (BC/residential, etc.) and your monetary limit (researched).
• Lead-based paint: Homes built before 1978 may trigger EPA RRP requirements for paid renovation work disturbing painted surfaces (federal rule) (researched).
• Permits and inspections are often enforced at resale/insurance-claim time; unpermitted work can create liability even if the customer requested it (researched).

Your Next Steps to Operating Legally in Savannah

1. Step 1: Form your business (LLC optional) and register with Tennessee Secretary of State if forming an LLC ($300 filing fee).
2. Step 2: Get your local business tax license(s): Savannah (city) and/or Hardin County (county) depending on where you work.
3. Step 3: Obtain general liability insurance (commonly $1M) and keep COIs ready for customers and permit offices.
4. Step 4: If you will bid jobs near/over $25,000 or do regulated trades, contact TDCI Board for Licensing Contractors to confirm licensing path, classification, exams, and current fees.

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