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Any person or business engaged in the construction, repair, remodeling or addition to any land or building used as a residence in New York City must have a Home Improvement Contractor license. Included under this contractor license is the construction, replacement or improvement of driveways, landscaping, terraces, patios, swimming pools, fences, porches, garages and basements. Also included are other improvements to structures build on land that is adjacent to a home or apartment building.

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LICENSE DESCRIPTION: A person or business must have a Home Improvement Contractor license if engaged in the construction, repair, remodeling, or addition to any land or building used as a residence. This 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 which businesses need to have a Home Improvement Contractor license. You may not begin work as a Home Improvement Contractor until you have received your license document.

• Sidewalk work requires a permit from the NYC Department of Transportation.
• Home improvements that involve plumbing, electrical work, pointing, or extensions to a residence require a permit from the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB).
• 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.

• Applicable Business Certificates based on your Business’s Legal Structure

Sole Proprietorships operating under a name other than your own must file a Business/Assumed Name Certificate with the clerk of the county in which your business is conducted. Sole Proprietorships doing business under your own name—and not under a trade or Doing-Business-As (DBA) name—do not need a Business Certificate. General/Business Partnerships must file your Partnership Certificate with the clerk of the county in which your business is conducted. Corporations, Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, or Limited Liability Partnerships must register and remain active with the New York State Department of State. Active status will be verified by DCA prior to license issuance. If applicable, you must also file an Assumed Name Certificate for your business. Businesses incorporated out of state must obtain a Certificate of Doing Business in Good Standing from your home state’s Secretary of State and file this with an application for Authority to Conduct Business in New York with the New York State Secretary of State.

• Basic License Application

Home Improvement Contractor applicants can now submit new license applications online. Applying for the license online does not mean the license is automatically approved. A major credit card is required to submit applications online. Convenience fees apply. After reviewing application requirements, please click the Apply Online link at the bottom of this Web page to submit your application online.

• Sales Tax Identification Number OR Certificate of Authority Application Confirmation Number The Sales Tax Identification Number is the 9, 10, or 11-digit number on your New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Certificate of Authority. You must enter this number on the Basic License Application form. If you have not received your Certificate of Authority, please enter the 6-digit confirmation number you received when you successfully submitted the application for a Certificate of Authority.
• Proof of Business Address Submit a copy of ONE of the following documents as proof of business address:
  • utility bill, dated within the last 90 days (e.g., telephone, gas, electric, cable, or water) OR
  • current lease or deed in the name of either the business or individual listed on license application OR
  • current rent or mortgage bill OR
  • current license or permit issued by New York State or another New York City government agency that shows your business address
• Proof of Home Address Each individual listed on the license application must submit a copy of ONE of the following documents as proof of home address:
  • 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
  • driver’s license

  If an individual lives at another person’s address, provide:

  • letter signed by the leaseholder indicating that the individual lives at the address AND
  • ONE proof of home address (per above) with the leaseholder’s name

• Workers’ Compensation Insurance Provide a copy of ONE of the following documents as proof of workers’ compensation insurance information:
  • An Insurance Certificate for workers’ compensation insurance from a private insurance carrier or the New York State Insurance Fund Office. The Insurance Certificate must name the Department of Consumer Affairs as the certificate holder OR
  • A Certificate of Attestation of Exemption from the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board (if you claimed exemption from the requirement to hold workers’ compensation insurance)
• DCA Trust Fund Enrollment OR Copy of Surety Bond (or Third Party Bond), properly signed
  • If you want to enroll your business in the Trust Fund, complete the Trust Fund Enrollment Form. The fee for joining the Trust Fund is $200 OR
  • If you do not enroll your business in the Trust Fund, you must submit a copy of a $20,000 Surety Bond (or Third Party Bond), properly signed. The copy of the bond must name the Department of Consumer Affairs as the Certificate Holder. Your corporate name, Doing-Business-As (DBA) name (if any), and premises address must be exactly the same on all documents. You must also submit a copy of the bond receipt showing that the bond has been paid in full and does not expire before the end of the licensing period.
     The companies listed have provided bonds for licensees, or have communicated to the Department of Consumer Affairs an interest in doing so. The list must not be considered a recommendation of any company, or a complete listing. All applicants are advised to investigate and compare these and other bonding companies. Some companies may provide only certain types of bonds. Companies are listed in alphabetical order.
• Roster of Employees Please indicate if you are applying for a Home Improvement Contractor License and a Home Improvement Salesperson License and provide employee information on the Roster of Employees. Note: If you are not applying for both licenses, at least one person in your business must hold a current and valid Home Improvement Salesperson license issued by the Department of Consumer Affairs (e.g., sole proprietor, general partner, director, corporate officer, shareholder owning 10% or more of company stock, or employee).
• Contractual Compliance Agreement  Review the Contractual Compliance Checklist to make sure your contracts meet legal requirements and complete the Contractual Compliance Agreement.
• Child Support Certification Form If your business is a SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP or GENERAL or LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, the proprietor or each individual general partner must submit a Child Support Certification Form.
• Granting Authority to Act Affirmation If this application will be filed by someone other than the license applicant, the license applicant must submit a Granting Authority to Act Affirmation.

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