A person or business must have a Home Improvement Contractor license to do construction, repair, remodeling, or other home improvement work to any residential land or building in New York City. Other home improvement work includes, but is not limited to, the construction, replacement, or improvement of basements, driveways, fences, garages, landscaping, patios, porches, sidewalks, swimming pools, terraces, and other improvements to structures or upon land that is next to a home or apartment building.
This description is only a general explanation of who must have a Home Improvement Contractor license.
See Requirements section for detailed descriptions. Make sure you provide all requirements; otherwise, your application is incomplete. DCWP can only consider complete applications for license issuance.
- Basic License Application
- Sales Tax Identification Number OR Application Confirmation Number
- Proof of Business Address
- Proof of Home Address
- Workers’ Compensation Insurance Information
- Proof of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification relating to safe lead practices AND/OR Signed Affirmation
- DCWP Trust Fund Enrollment ($200 fee) OR Copy of $20,000 Surety Bond (or Third Party Bond), properly signed
- Contractual Compliance Agreement
- Home Improvement Exam and $50 Exam Fee
- Fingerprints and Processing Fee
- Granting Authority to Act Affirmation (if applicable)
- License Fee
Submitting your application does not mean your license is automatically approved.
Additional City or State Permits/Licenses/Clearances You May Need
Sidewalk work requires a permit from the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT). Contact 311 or visit nyc.gov/dot.
Many home improvements require a permit from the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB). Work to raise, lift, elevate, or move a house or building requires a special inspection by DOB. Contact 311 or visit nyc.gov/buildings.
If you plan to haul or transport waste resulting from your business operations, you must obtain a Class One Self Hauler Registration from the New York City Business Integrity Commission. For an application and more information, contact 311 or visit nyc.gov/bic.
This is not meant to be a complete list. See Additional Resources section.
Important Message about Business Certificate
You must have the applicable Business Certificate based on your business’s legal structure. Although DCWP does not require submission of your Business Certificate in order to process your application, DCWP may request this document under section 20-104 of the New York City Administrative Code.
Sole proprietors operating under a name other than your own must have a Business/Assumed Name Certificate.
Partnerships must have a Partnership Certificate and, if applicable, an Assumed Name Certificate for your business.
Corporations, Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, or Limited Liability Partnerships must register and remain active with the New York State Division of Corporations. You can check your status at dos.ny.gov/corps.
Requirements
DCWP will deny your application if you do not submit these required documents and information:
- Basic License Application.
Online submission: After reviewing the requirements, please click the Apply Online link at the bottom of the page to submit your application.
In-person submission: Download the Basic License Application.
- Sales Tax Identification Number OR Application Confirmation Number.
To apply for a Certificate of Authority in order to collect sales tax, visit businessexpress.ny.gov.
- Proof of Business Address.
Submit a copy of ONE of the following documents in the name of either the business or an individual listed on the license application:
- Utility bill, dated within the last 90 days (e.g., telephone, gas, electric, cable, or water) OR
- Current lease or deed OR
- Current rent or mortgage bill OR
- Insurance document or insurance bill that shows your business address OR
- Correspondence from any government agency that shows your business address OR
- Current (active) license or permit or certificate issued by a City/State/Federal government agency that shows your business address
- Proof of Home Address.
Each individual listed on the license application must provide a copy of ONE of the following documents in the individual's name:
- Utility bill, dated within the last 90 days (e.g., telephone, gas, electric, cable, or water) OR
- Correspondence from any government agency that shows home address OR
- Current lease or deed OR
- Insurance document or insurance bill that shows home address OR
- Current (active) license or permit or certificate issued by a City/State/Federal government agency that shows home address OR
- College or school correspondence that shows home address OR
- Current rent or mortgage bill OR
- Driver's license OR
- Municipal ID card
For an individual who lives at another person’s address, provide:
- ONE Proof of Home Address (see above) with the leaseholder’s or homeowner’s name AND
- A letter signed by the homeowner or leaseholder stating that the individual lives at the address
