Yes, painters must be licensed in Georgia to handle tasks worth $2,500 or more.
If you are a contractor and most of the projects you undertake are worth $2,500 or less, it is better to stay on the safe side and get a license.
In Georgia, a contractor can apply for these four types of licenses.
- Residential Basic Contractor – It allows contractors to work on 1and 2-family residences and buildings shorter than three stories.
- Residential Light Commercial Contractor
It allows you to work on multi-family residences and light commercial buildings and structures. It also includes all the work permitted by the Residential Basic Contractor license. - General Contractor License
It allows you an unlimited scope of work. - General Contractor Limited Tier
If you hold this license, you are limited to projects worth up to $500,000.
Depending on skill and the work you want to take, a painter can choose to apply for any of these license categories.
Where To Get a Painting License in Georgia
You can get your license from Georgia’s State Licensing Board For Residential and General Contractors.
You must meet the following requirements to apply and receive your contractor license.
- Be 21+ in age.
- Pass a two-part business and law exam.
- Pass a criminal background check.
- Proof of education and four years of experience in the trade.
- Fill out and submit your license application.
- Pay the $200 license application fee.
- Get a Georgia Contractor bond worth $25,000.
- Get general business liability insurance and worker’s compensation if you have employees. The value of insurance is different for each license.
- Residential Basic Contractor $300,000
- Residential Light Commercial Contractor $500,000
- General Contractor $500,000
- General Contractor Limited Tier $500,000.
What Can Happen if You Hire an Unlicensed Painter
When hiring a painter in Georgia, always make sure they are licensed.
Here are some of the consequences of hiring an unlicensed painter.
- They may not deliver as agreed. Licensed contractors risk losing their license if reported for wrongdoing. Always hire only licensed contractors for your painting jobs.
- Shoddy work. Licensed contractors have passed practical and written examinations to show their experience and competence.
- You will have to pay for any damage or accident during the job since unlicensed contractors do not have insurance. It will cost you more if an unlicensed contractor causes damage to your property.
- If you have a dispute with an unlicensed contractor, you cannot report them.
Here are the consequences for unlicensed painters.
- Your clients can refuse to pay for work done.
- You cannot sue clients who refuse to pay as it is illegal to work without a license for projects worth over $2,500.
Can I Paint My Own House Without a License?
In many states, homeowners can paint both the exterior and interior of their homes without a license or permit.
However, if you do not have the time or skills to paint, you can hire a contractor.
Painting your home is an easy task. It is affordable since all you need is the paint and paintbrushes.
If you choose to hire a contractor, ensure that you hire a licensed contractor.
When you hire a contractor, the cost of painting your home is likely to go higher than when you DIY.
When you hire a licensed contractor, you can expect the paint job to last at least ten years before you need to repaint your home.
Lead Paint Disclosure Georgia
A lead-based paint disclosure is a federal and Georgia legal requirement when selling or renting property built before 1978.
Before selling a house, sellers must inform their prospective clients’ presence of lead-based paint in the. Additionally, sales contracts must include the lead paint disclosure.
Landlords must also include the disclosure in the rent leases.
Lead is harmful to human beings. It gets into the body through breathing in or swallowing lead dust from chipped paint. It causes brain damage and nervous disorders in children under six years.
Pregnant women and unborn children are at high risk of infections caused by exposure to lead.
