Obtaining Your License As A Concrete Contractor In Illinois
You will need to meet different requirements, but the licensing process itself will vary depending on where you live in the state. Before you decide to provide contracting services, you should contact your local city or county officials to ensure that your business is following the law. We want to outline some important information that will help you navigate the licensing process.
Business
License and Registration
General Contractor’s License
Chicago
- A description of the contracting services you intend on providing (i.e., concrete repair and installation)
- Specify the classification of the license you need
- Clarify your business structure, including information on the company and your partnerships
- Verify that your business is in good financial standing
- Provide a certificate of insurance
- Sign and complete your application before submitting it and paying the licensing fees
We strongly advise that you don’t omit any information, otherwise this will delay the licensing process. The city will review your application and approve/reject it within a month’s time. If approved, the city will mail you your license. Then you will need to get additional insurance and surety bonds. The cost of the bonds will depend on the kind of work that you perform.
Types of Contractor’s Licenses
Issued By Chicago
The Chicago Municipal Code asserts that a general contractor is someone who: “arranges or submits a bid or offers to undertake […], through himself or through others, to erect, construct, alter, repair, move, install, replace, convert, remodel, rehabilitate, modernize, improve or make additions to any building.”
The city has five classifications for general contractors. The classifications are based on upon single contract project value:
- Class A License – No limitation to any single contract project value.
- Class B License – Construction of any single contract project value not to surpass $10,000,000.
- Class C License – Construction of any single contract project value not to surpass $5,000,000.
- Class D License – Construction of any single contract project value not to surpass $2,000,000.
- Class E License – Construction of any single contract project value not to surpass $500,000.
The City of Chicago Department of Buildings also offers trade licensing for electricians, plumbers, mason contractors, crane operators, and private alarm contractors. Depending on the specifications of your trade, you may need to pass a licensing exam. Make sure that you have your license before you begin bidding and undertaking any projects.
Licensing and