If you’re skilled with tools and thinking about being a handyman or contractor as a viable side business to bring in some extra income, you’re not alone. Lots of folks work as building contractors full-time and part-time in Georgia in all types of trades ranging from landscaping to structural building and electrician work. However, to get access to any of those opportunities, one has to have a contracting license. Otherwise, operating unlicensed can put a person in a lot of hot water very quickly.
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Why a License?
A contracting license serves a number of purposes, but first and foremost it is a legal requirement. So, not having one is technically breaking the law, which is not a good place to be when trying to start a business or a side venture. Second, licensing provides city or county revenue that helps pay for regulating contracting to make sure folks who don’t belong in the business get removed and don’t harm customers. Without the regulation, anyone could argue they could provide construction or repair work and, in fact, create a big mess for consumers.
For contracting, the particular licenses involved include a business license, a contracting license in the particular trade the person will work in, and any necessary vehicle licenses for the trucks and equipment to be used and transported. Most folks, at a minimum, need a trailer along with a truck for regular contracting building work. The business license allows a contractor to open up a business bank account as well as show business taxes have been paid correctly to the city. And the contracting license addresses the concerns noted above for trade work and consumer protection.
Licensing Reach and Jurisdictions
While a business license is specific to the city or county a contractor is based in, a contracting license is regulated by the state and allows a contractor to work anywhere in Georgia in a given contracting trade once on file and approved. So, a contractor doesn’t need to worry about needing a new license in every county he or she might work in in Georgia. However, if one goes out of state, which is common when subcontracting larger projects, additional licensing can be needed for other states outside of Georgia.
Getting Your Own License
A Georgia contractor license is not easy to obtain, but it’s not impossible either. A lot of the challenges many folks have involve just understanding how to fill out the various forms and how to file them correctly. The License Company provides folks with key resources in Georgia for how to get started correctly and file applications the right way the first time. The process can be done traditionally or online, but the advice ensures folks do it correctly the first time instead of repeatedly.
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