New York has no statewide contractor license, which surprises a lot of people. The rules live in the cities and counties instead, and New York City is the strictest of them. We build websites for New York contractors that show the right local license where it applies, then bring in calls, reviews and booked jobs.
Outside a handful of places, a New York contractor needs no state license at all. Inside New York City, Buffalo, Yonkers and the licensing counties, a local license is required, and New York City requires its Home Improvement Contractor license number in every ad, which includes your website. Statewide, home improvement jobs over $500 need a written contract, homeowners get three business days to cancel, and deposits must be protected. A good New York site puts the license where it applies and answers the contract questions before the homeowner asks.
No statewide rule requiring a license number in ads was verified (there is no statewide license). In New York City, all home improvement advertising must include the contractor's DCWP Home Improvement Contractor license number (6 RCNY 2-222(a)).
"Advertising must include the home improvement contractor’s DCWP license number."
Whatever you hold in New York, a state license, a registration or a city license, we put the number in the footer of every page and on your quote page, matching your Google Business Profile. Customers look you up before they call, and a number they can verify wins the job.
Main agency: No statewide contractor licensing board. The NY Attorney General enforces the state home improvement contract law (General Business Law Article 36-A); licensing is local (NYC, five counties, City of Buffalo).. New York does not license home improvement contractors statewide; the Attorney General lists licensing only in New York City, Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties and the City of Buffalo. Plumbing is regulated by local governments under General City Law Article 4 (source: https://www.businessexpress.ny.gov/app/answers/cms/a_id/3228).
State law requires a written home improvement contract for jobs over $500. In New York City, a home improvement job under $200 does not need a DCWP license (NYC exam guide: https://www.nyc.gov/assets/dca/downloads/pdf/businesses/Home-Improvement-Business-Exam-Guide.pdf). Source
Local rules on top of the state's. Open a city to see what it requires.
Yes. Home improvement contractors working on residential property need a Home Improvement Contractor license from the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). Plumbers and electricians are licensed separately by the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB).
"Home Improvement Contractor Licenses are issued by the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection."
Yes. The City of Buffalo licenses home improvement contractors through its Office of Licenses, 65 Niagara Square, Room 301 (contractor license page: https://www.buffalony.gov/1667/Contractor-License-Application).
"Home-improvement contractors must be licensed in New York City, Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, Putnam, and Rockland counties, and the City of Buffalo."
Yes. Contractors working in Yonkers must be licensed by the City of Yonkers Consumer Protection Bureau (Yonkers application: https://www.yonkersny.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14753/Home-Improvement-License-Application-052825).
"Contractors who do work in Yonkers must be licensed by the Consumer Protection Bureau in that city."
Trades only. The city licenses electricians and plumbers (City Clerk licensing; master plumbers through the Examining Board of Plumbers in Neighborhood and Business Development). No general or home improvement contractor license appears on the City Clerk's licensing list.
"Administering and enforcing the testing, licensing, and registration of qualified master plumbers."
Full example sites for inspectors, engineers, adjusters, movers, junk haulers and more.
Website built free first, Google reviews, missed-call text-back, booking and follow-up. No contract.
