Incorporating Your Business

Before you get licensed, you need a legal business. DCWP requires that your business name and address match across all paperwork, including contracts and estimates.
Source: DCWP Home Improvement Estimate & Contract Template

Best low-cost formation services

• ZenBusiness — “$0 + state fees” LLC filing, simple dashboard

• LegalZoom — “$0 + state fees” LLC filing, strong guidance

What to do

1. Form an NY LLC

2. Get your EIN (free from IRS)

3. Use the exact same business name everywhere

Important: You may not operate under any name other than the one on your license.

Business Address

DCWP requires your business address to appear on contracts, estimates, and license documents.

If you don’t want your home address public, use a virtual address.

Best options

• Stable — Premium virtual business address and digital mailroom

• iPostal1 — Low-cost NYC street addresses

• Anytime Mailbox — Low-cost NYC street addresses

Guidance

• Want one permanent business address you’ll never change? → Stable

• Want the cheapest compliant option? → iPostal1 / Anytime Mailbox

Bank Account

You need a bank account in your business name to keep money organized and separate from personal finances.

Best choices

• Mercury — No monthly fees, modern interface

• Bluevine — No monthly fees, simple and reliable

Pick one, connect it to your bookkeeping, and move on.

Insurance

DCWP requires you to provide customers with proof of Workers’ Compensation insurance or a valid Exemption Certificate before starting work.

If you have no employees

• File the Workers’ Comp Exemption

• Buy General Liability insurance

If you hire any W-2 workers

• Buy Workers’ Comp

• Buy General Liability

Affordable provider

• NEXT Insurance — Strong online option; typical contractor premiums around $50–$80/month

Trust Fund or Surety Bond

DCWP requires one of the following:

• Pay $200 into the DCWP Home Improvement Trust Fund, or

• Purchase a $20,000 surety bond (around $150 for 2 years)

Simple recommendation:
Pay the $200 Trust Fund fee unless you specifically prefer the bond.

Contractor Templates

DCWP provides ready-made, compliant templates:

• Home Improvement Estimate

• Home Improvement Contract

• Change Order form

• 3-Day Cancellation form

These include all legally required disclosures.

Using these templates keeps you safe, consistent, and compliant from day one.

Bookkeeping

You don’t need complex software when starting out.

Great beginner options

• Wave — Free bookkeeping + invoicing

• QuickBooks Simple Start — Paid, more structure if needed

Start with Wave. Upgrade later if your business grows.

Finding Jobs

Stick to easy, low-cost platforms while you get traction.

Start here

• Google Business Profile (free)

• Thumbtack — Pay per lead

• Nextdoor — Free neighborhood jobs

You don’t need to pay for multiple lead platforms. One or two is enough.

What You Don’t Need as a Beginner

To keep costs low, skip these until you grow:

• OSHA-10 / OSHA-30 (not required for HIC license)

• Premium CRM/project management tools

• Paid advertising

• Fancy marketing services

• Expensive software bundles

Stay lean until you’re regularly booked.

11. First-Month Setup Checklist

Week 1 — Business Setup

• Form NY LLC (ZenBusiness or LegalZoom)

• Get EIN

• Pick business address (Stable or iPostal1)

• Open business bank account (Mercury or Bluevine)

Week 2 — Insurance + Compliance

• File Workers’ Comp Exemption or buy a policy

• Buy General Liability insurance

• Pay Trust Fund fee or buy $20,000 bond

• Review DCWP exam guide

Week 3 — License Application

• Apply for NYC HIC License

• Take the Home Improvement Exam

• Prepare contract packet using DCWP templates

Week 4 — Begin Working

• Set up Google Business Profile

• Set up bookkeeping (Wave)

• Choose one lead source (Thumbtack or Nextdoor)

• Start taking jobs with compliant paperwork