In New York City, who may do a job depends on the type of work, not the job title on the van. A home improvement contractor can redo your kitchen cabinets but cannot move the gas line. A handyman needs the same license as a contractor once the job costs more than $200. Even swapping a light fixture needs a licensed electrician. Here is how the city divides the work.
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The short version
| Work | Who may do it | Licensed by |
|---|---|---|
| Remodeling and repairs over $200: kitchens, bathrooms, floors, painting, windows, basements | Home improvement contractor | NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) |
| Plumbing and gas piping, including replacing a toilet or sink | Licensed Master Plumber | NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) |
| Any electrical installation or change, including replacing a light fixture | Licensed Master Electrician | DOB |
| Construction work that needs a DOB work permit | Licensed or registered general contractor | DOB |
| Plans for bigger jobs (beyond the DOB’s limits for plumbers and electricians, structural changes) | Architect or engineer | New York State |
Can a handyman do electrical work in NYC?
No. The Department of Buildings says no installation or change to any electrical system can be done without a permit and a Licensed Master Electrician. That includes small jobs a handyman is often asked to do:
- Replacing a defective switch or circuit breaker
- Repairing a defective light fixture
- Swapping up to five light fixtures in existing outlets
These small jobs still need the electrician and a permit; they just skip the DOB inspection. If the work is done without a permit, DOB says the building owner can face violations and fines, as well as the person who did it.
Plumbing works the same way: even replacing an existing fixture, like a sink or toilet, must be done by a Licensed Master Plumber. A handyman can take the other small jobs, and needs a home improvement license once the job costs more than $200. Find a licensed electrician in Riverdale or a licensed plumber.
Home improvement contractors (and handymen)
The DCWP says a person or business must have a Home Improvement Contractor license to do work that costs more than $200 on any residential building in NYC. Home improvement means remodeling or repairs. It does not include new home construction, plumbing, or purely electrical work. Contractors can see how to get a NYC home improvement license.
The rule is about the work, not the title. A handyman who replaces your kitchen cabinets for $3,000 needs the same license as a renovation company. If the job is over $200 and the person has no license, you lose access to the city’s Trust Fund if things go wrong.
One wrinkle: an NYC311 page lists “handyman work costing less than $250” as not needing a license, while every DCWP page uses $200. To be safe, treat $200 as the line.
Plumbers
The DOB says plumbing work can only be performed by a Licensed Master Plumber, or plumbers working under one. That includes gas piping. Small jobs, like replacing an existing fixture, may not need a permit, but they still need the licensed plumber. Boiler work needs a permit, or a Licensed Oil Burner Installer or master plumber.
So a general contractor can tile the bathroom, but the toilet, sink, shower valve and any gas line belong to the plumber. Our bathroom and kitchen permit guides go through the details.
Electricians
This is the rule that surprises people most. The DOB says no installation or modification of any electrical system can be done without a permit and a Licensed Master Electrician. Even minor work, such as replacing a defective switch or swapping up to five light fixtures in existing outlets, needs a master electrician and an electrical permit. The difference is that minor work does not need a DOB inspection.
The penalty falls on you too. The DOB says that if electrical work is done without a permit, the building owner as well as the person who did the work may face violations, summonses and fines.
General contractors
A general contractor runs the job and the other trades. When construction work needs a DOB work permit, the DOB issues it only to a licensed or registered general contractor, who must have a place of business in New York City and carry liability, workers’ compensation and disability insurance. Plumbing and electrical permits go to the licensed plumber and electrician instead.
The DOB also requires licensed contractors to show their license number on their trucks, business cards and advertisements. If you can’t find a number, ask for one.
Architects and engineers
When a job goes beyond what a plumber or electrician may file on their own, or touches the structure, such as removing a load-bearing wall, a registered architect or professional engineer has to file plans with the DOB. They are licensed by New York State, not the city.
Before you hire
- Ask who will do each part of the job, and which license each person holds. A kitchen often needs three: a home improvement contractor, a plumber and an electrician.
- Ask in writing which permits the job needs and who will file them.
- Check every license with the city’s free tools. Our guide shows how to check a contractor’s license in NYC.
- In a co-op or condo, your building will have its own rules too. See our guide to co-op alteration agreements in Riverdale.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. For your project, ask a licensed professional or the DOB.
Licensed contractors in Riverdale
Every business in this directory shows its license number, checked against city records in October 2026.