Who can fix it in New York? Handyman and contractor license rules

Sources

1. Home Improvement Fact Sheet: Check licenses — New York State Office of the Attorney GeneralHome improvement contractors must be licensed in New York City, Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, Putnam, and Rockland counties.
2. Home Improvement Fact Sheet: Home improvement contract law — New York State Office of the Attorney GeneralState law regulates the sale of home improvement goods and services and applies to most types of improvements costing more than $500 purchased by homeowners, co-ops owners and tenants.
3. Home Improvement Fact Sheet: Other contract requirements — New York State Office of the Attorney GeneralHome improvement contracts must be in writing, legible and in plain English. A copy must be given to the customer before any work is done.
4. Home Improvement Fact Sheet: Right to cancel — New York State Office of the Attorney GeneralThe customer has an unconditional right to cancel the contract until midnight of the third business day after the contract was signed. Cancellation must be done in writing.
5. Home Improvement Fact Sheet: Escrow accounts — New York State Office of the Attorney GeneralAny contract payments received by a contractor from a customer prior to substantial completion of the job must be put into a trust (escrow) account in a bank located in New York State within five business days and the customer must be informed where the money is being held within ten business days.
6. Home Improvement Fact Sheet: Alternative surety bond — New York State Office of the Attorney GeneralAs an alternative to the escrow account, the contractor must deliver to the customer a "bond" or "contract of indemnity," guaranteeing that the customer’s money will be properly used or returned.
7. Home Improvement Fact Sheet: Local licensing laws — New York State Office of the Attorney GeneralA contractor must also continue to comply with any local licensing laws.
8. NY Business Express: Electrical Contractors — New York State (Business Express)Local government entities license electrical contractors.
9. NY Business Express: Plumbing — New York State (Business Express)Local government entities regulate the trade of plumbing as outlined in NYS General City Law, Article 4.
10. NYC Department of Buildings: Project Requirements for Owners (Electrical) — NYC Department of BuildingsNo installation and modification to any electrical systems can be performed without a permit and a Licensed Master Electrician.
11. NYC Department of Buildings: Plumbing Permits — NYC Department of BuildingsWork involving the alteration, rearrangement, relocation, or permanent removal of any piping must be supervised by a Licensed Master Plumber (LMP)
12. NYC Department of Buildings: Plumbing Permits (work that does not require a permit) — NYC Department of BuildingsSimple repairs or direct replacement of existing faucets or fixtures such as toilets and sinks are considered cosmetic work and do not require a permit.
13. N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 771-b(1) (roofing contracts) — New York State Senate (Open Legislation)Every roofing contractor shall enter into a written contract with an owner pursuant to all of the provisions of section seven hundred seventy-one of this article before engaging in the business of roofing, gutter, downspout or siding services for such owner.
14. N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 771-b(5) (no required deposit) — New York State Senate (Open Legislation)A roofing contractor shall not require an owner to provide a deposit for the work and materials.
15. N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 771-b(9) (proof of insurance) — New York State Senate (Open Legislation)A roofing contractor shall provide to the owner adequate proof of insurance of the types and amounts set forth in this subdivision
16. N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 771-b(3) (canceling after an insurance denial) — New York State Senate (Open Legislation)An owner who has entered into a written contract with a roofing contractor to provide goods or services to be paid under a property and casualty insurance policy may cancel the contract prior to midnight on the third business day after the insured party has received written notice from the insurer that all or any part of the claim or contract is not a covered loss under the insurance policy.
17. N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 770(5) (home improvement contractor defined) — New York State Senate (Open Legislation)Home improvement contractor does not include a person, firm, corporation, landlord, cooperative corporation, condominium board of managers, joint tenant or co-tenant that owns, in whole or in part, the property to be improved.
18. Home Improvement Fact Sheet: Know what permits are needed — New York State Office of the Attorney GeneralCheck with your local building and codes office before beginning a project.
19. N.Y. Senate Bill S5248 (2025-2026): Home Improvement Fraud Prevention Act — New York State SenateEstablishes the home improvement fraud prevention act relating to the responsibilities of home improvement contractors and requiring home improvement contractors to register with the secretary of state.
20. N.Y. Senate Bill S5248 (2025-2026): actions — New York State Senatecommitted to rules
21. N.Y. Assembly Bill A1783 (2025-2026): actions — New York State Assemblyreported referred to ways and means
22. N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law § 771-b(3) (emergency waiver of the right to cancel) — New York State Senate (Open Legislation)Notwithstanding the foregoing, this subdivision shall not apply to a transaction in which the owner has initiated the contact and the roofing contract is needed to meet a bona fide emergency of the owner, and the owner furnishes the roofing contractor with a separate dated and signed personal statement in the owner's handwriting describing the situation requiring immediate remedy and expressly acknowledging and waiving the right to cancel the roofing contract within three business days.
23. NYC Admin. Code § 28-429.1 (master electrician license required; low-voltage exception) — NYC Department of BuildingsLow voltage electrical work may be performed by qualified persons, as defined in the New York city electrical code.
24. NYC Admin. Code § 28-105.4.7 (low voltage electrical work) — NYC Department of BuildingsAn electrical permit shall not be required for the installation, alteration, maintenance, or repair of electrical wiring that is designed to operate at less than 50 volts for signaling, communication, alarm, and data transmission circuits

Checked October 20, 2026. We used AI-assisted research, then separate review passes that tried to prove each claim wrong against the law and agency pages above. This is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change; confirm with the state board or your local building department before you hire or start work. See a mistake? Email [email protected].