What Can a Handyman Do Without a License in St. Louis, Missouri?

Missouri does not have a single statewide “general contractor license” for handymen; most contractor licensing (and nearly all enforcement) is handled at the city/county level through permits, local contractor registrations, and the locally-licensed trades (electrical, plumbing, mechanical/HVAC). In the City of St. Louis, you typically need (1) a City business license and (2) to follow building permit rules; trade work (electrical/plumbing/HVAC) generally must be done by locally licensed contractors even if you are a handyman. There is no reliable statewide “handyman exemption” dollar threshold in Missouri—limits are set by local permit and trade rules rather than a state threshold.

The magic number in MO: $None. Jobs under $None (labor + materials combined) don't require a contractor license — you can take those as a handyman. Jobs at or above $None require a contractor license. Know your number, know your limit.

✅ What You Can Do Without a License

Painting (interior/exterior) that does not require a permit in the specific jurisdiction (no lead abatement unless certified where required)
Minor drywall patching and interior trim repair (baseboards, casing) with no structural changes
Basic carpentry like replacing interior doors/knobs or repairing cabinets (no structural framing changes)
Tile repairs and cosmetic bathroom/kitchen refresh work that does not modify plumbing lines or electrical wiring
Gutter cleaning and minor repairs (where not tied to roof structural modification)
Fence or deck repairs that are truly like-for-like and do not trigger a building permit in that jurisdiction
Replacing a faucet/fixture trim or toilet parts ONLY if local rules allow homeowner/handyman work without a plumbing license/permit (many St. Louis-area jurisdictions restrict this—verify before offering)
Furniture assembly, mounting shelving, and TV mounts (avoid concealed wiring/plumbing zones; follow landlord/property rules)

Common Jobs Handymen Take in St. Louis

Based on the MO threshold, handymen in St. Louis commonly take on:

Painting (interior/exterior) that does not require a permit in the specific jurisdiction (no lead abatement unless certified where required)
Minor drywall patching and interior trim repair (baseboards, casing) with no structural changes
Basic carpentry like replacing interior doors/knobs or repairing cabinets (no structural framing changes)
Tile repairs and cosmetic bathroom/kitchen refresh work that does not modify plumbing lines or electrical wiring
Gutter cleaning and minor repairs (where not tied to roof structural modification)
Fence or deck repairs that are truly like-for-like and do not trigger a building permit in that jurisdiction
Replacing a faucet/fixture trim or toilet parts ONLY if local rules allow homeowner/handyman work without a plumbing license/permit (many St. Louis-area jurisdictions restrict this—verify before offering)
Furniture assembly, mounting shelving, and TV mounts (avoid concealed wiring/plumbing zones; follow landlord/property rules)

⚠️ What Requires a License

Electrical contracting/work that involves wiring, circuits, panel work, new outlets/switches, or permit-required electrical changes (generally requires a licensed electrical contractor and permits/inspection)
Plumbing work beyond minor fixture/trim replacement—especially water heater replacement, relocating supply/drain lines, adding/removing fixtures, sewer/drain work (typically requires a licensed plumber and permits/inspection)
HVAC/mechanical system installation or alteration (furnaces, AC, ductwork, gas piping to appliances) — typically requires a licensed mechanical contractor and permits/inspection
Gas piping work (CSST/black iron, appliance gas line changes) — typically treated as plumbing/mechanical and heavily regulated with permitting/inspection
Structural work (removing load-bearing walls, altering framing, major deck structural rebuilds) — requires permits and may require engineered plans
Roof replacement (often requires permit depending on jurisdiction/scope and may require contractor registration)
Work in designated historic districts affecting exterior features (requires additional approvals/permits)
Any work where the city requires a permit to be pulled by a licensed trade contractor (common in St. Louis for MEP)

What to Tell Clients About Your Scope of Work

In MO, you can take jobs under $None (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 — St. Louis

Required. City of St. Louis Business License

Setting Up Your Business in MO

To get paid professionally and protect yourself, register your business. LLC filing fee in MO: $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 St. Louis

Step 1: Form your business entity (LLC recommended) with the Missouri Secretary of State (LLC filing fee $50).
Step 2: Register for any needed Missouri tax accounts (sales/use tax if applicable; withholding if you have employees) via the Missouri Department of Revenue.
Step 3: Obtain a City of St. Louis business license through the License Collector (fee varies by classification/gross receipts).
Step 4: Decide your scope: avoid regulated trade work (electrical/plumbing/HVAC) unless you (or your subcontractor) hold the required licenses and can pull permits.
Step 5: Call the City of St. Louis Building Division before quoting jobs that might trigger permits/inspections to confirm permit needs and who must pull the permit.

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