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Before the doors open: a general contractor and its paperwork
Q: Before I open a general contractor, what paperwork may I need?
A: Here is the paperwork map for your general contractor. Every item says MAY, because what applies depends on how the business is set up, and sorting that out is our job. It also lists the personal license or trade license of the person doing the work, because a business license alone does not cover that.
1. Business license: A business license for a general contractor MAY ask about the trades you manage, the size of projects, the vehicles and equipment you own, and your subcontractor arrangements.
2. Home occupation permit: A home occupation permit MAY apply for a contracting business run from home, usually limiting stored materials, parked trucks, crews meeting at your address and visiting clients.
3. Sales tax permit: A sales tax permit MAY be needed when you supply materials as part of a job, and a resale certificate lets you buy fixtures and supplies for resale to clients.
4. Professional or trade license: Lead-safe renovator certification: Contractors working on older homes may need a personal lead-safe renovation certificate, earned through an accredited training course, where required.
5. Contractor license: Remodeling and building work MAY require a license that shows proven experience, passed exams and financial responsibility.
6. Permits per project: Specific building, electrical or plumbing work MAY need a permit for each project.
7. Contractor bond: A bond protecting clients and suppliers if work is not finished is often attached to the application.
8. Subcontractor insurance records: Copies of insurance from subcontractors may be kept on file for every job.
9. Employer registration: Hiring changes the list: an employer account, payroll tax setup and workers' compensation insurance MAY join the pile before the first paycheck.
10. Company papers: A DBA, an LLC or a tax ID number MAY make sense for your general contractor, and we prepare all of these documents on this site, so everything can be ordered in one place.
Our service fee stays put. A business license order that also needs a home occupation permit or another permit still carries one service fee for us. What we do not cover are the upfront annual tax or application fees the govt charges; we find those applications and fill them out.
The upside, with all five senses
Watching a gutted kitchen become a warm family space, with the smell of fresh sawdust and new paint, is satisfying work that earns referrals.
A small scene
Philomena stood in an empty framed kitchen at Brindle Home Renovation and finally hung her new license on the wall.
A cautionary example
A homeowner says a bad installation caused water damage and demands the full repair, and an LLC keeps that claim off your savings.
The numbers behind it
Business code (NAICS): 236118 (Residential Remodelers). This page lists 10 paperwork items for a general contractor, and each one is marked as something you MAY need, since we confirm which apply.
Tip: Take photographs of each stage before walls are closed, which can protect you for years.
The estimate was one number, the invoice was another, and the difference was a surprise wall.
Ready when you are: start your order and we will find out what applies to your general contractor, fill out the applications and keep the paperwork moving. |