Renovation permits and contractor licences in Maine

Trades that need a licence in Maine

• General contracting and renovation

  There is no general contractor licence to ask for in Maine — the Attorney General says general contractors and trades such as roofing and framing are not licensed or regulated. That puts the weight on the contract, on references, and on the trade licences that do exist for electrical and plumbing work.

  Sources:Maine Attorney General – Home construction and repair⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Consumer protection

  A home construction contract above the value the statute sets must be in writing and signed by both the contractor and the homeowner. It must name the parties and the property, give the start and substantial completion dates, state the price, the payment method and the down payment terms, describe the work and materials, carry a warranty statement and a dispute resolution option, and say that change orders must be in writing.

  Sources:Maine Title 10 section 1487 – Home construction contracts⁠(opens in a new tab)Maine Title 10 section 1486 – Definitions⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Electrical work

  Maine law says an electrical installation may not be made unless by an electrician licensed by the Electricians' Examining Board, except as the chapter provides. Check the licence in the state's licensee search before the work starts.

  Sources:Maine Title 32 section 1201 – Licence required⁠(opens in a new tab)Maine Professional and Financial Regulation – Licensee search⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Plumbing

  Plumbers are licensed as master, journeyman, journeyman-in-training or trainee, and the trainee and journeyman-in-training grades work under direct supervision. A limited licence covers only a specific type of plumbing equipment or installation, so ask what the licence actually allows.

  Sources:Maine Plumbers' Examining Board⁠(opens in a new tab)

• New-home building and warranty

  If you are wiring a newly built single-family home you occupy yourself, Maine allows you to make the installation, but it must meet the National Electrical Code and be certified by a state or local electrical inspector, or by a licensed master or limited electrician, before the utility turns the power on.

  Sources:Maine Title 32 section 1102-D – Single-family dwelling exception⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Certified trades

  Whether anyone will inspect your job depends on where you live: MUBEC must be enforced in municipalities of four thousand residents or more, and smaller municipalities may choose whether to enforce it. Ask your town office which applies before you assume there will be a code inspection.

  Sources:Maine Governor's Energy Office – Building and energy codes⁠(opens in a new tab)

Before you hire a contractor in Maine

Practical checks you can do yourself, using official tools where they exist.

1. 1

   Get the contract in writing and check it against the statute's list before you pay a deposit.

   Official lookup: Maine Title 10 section 1487 – Home construction contracts⁠(opens in a new tab)

2. 2

   Remember that general contractors are not licensed in Maine, so ask for references and proof of insurance instead of a licence number.

   Official lookup: Maine Attorney General – Home construction and repair⁠(opens in a new tab)

3. 3

   For electrical or plumbing work, check the licence in the state's licensee search.

   Official lookup: Maine Professional and Financial Regulation – Licensee search⁠(opens in a new tab)

4. 4

   Ask your town office whether it enforces the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code and who inspects the work.

   Official lookup: Maine Governor's Energy Office – Building and energy codes⁠(opens in a new tab)

5. 5

   Ask your municipal code enforcement office which permits your project needs before work starts.

   Official lookup: Portland – Building permits⁠(opens in a new tab)

6. 6

   Confirm the contractor's licence and insurance with your state or county government, and get the work, materials and price in writing.

   Official lookup: FTC – How to avoid a home improvement scam⁠(opens in a new tab)