How to check a shed builder's license in Suffolk or Nassau

What New York State and federal rules say

• State rules allow a local code program to exempt certain structures of 144 square feet or less that are used as tool and storage sheds from the building permit requirement, the Department of State says.
• A shed that is exempt from the building permit requirement is still not exempt from the Uniform Code, according to the Department of State.

In Suffolk County

• Suffolk's home improvement law is not limited to the trades it lists: its definition extends to other improvements to structures or upon land within residential property.

In Nassau County

• Sheds are named in Nassau's definition of home improvement, along with driveways, swimming pools, porches and garages, and running a home improvement business there requires a county license.

1. 1Step 1A shed builder's Nassau home improvement license can be confirmed in the county's Valid Business License Search, which the county updates daily.

Towns with a license of their own

• City of Long Beach: The City issues building permits only to a City of Long Beach licensed contractor or the homeowner, and a licensed contractor must complete an affidavit that they alone are doing the work.
• Town of Southampton: Southampton requires its own Home Improvement Contractor's License for home improvement work, and its licensing covers every village except the Village of Westhampton Dunes. A builder of a new home needs no town license for now, but the builder's subcontractors must be licensed.
• Town of Southampton: A Southampton home improvement license is valid for one year. A new application costs $250.00 by cash or check or $257.50 by credit, and an on-time renewal costs $175.00, or $180.25 by credit.
• Town of Southampton: Residential storage sheds are on Southampton's accessory structure checklist, which calls for a contractor with an active Town license.
• Town of Shelter Island: Shelter Island requires home improvements to be performed by a licensed contractor holding a Shelter Island license.
• Town of Shelter Island: Shelter Island's notice to contractors says every contractor or subcontractor working on the island, landscapers included, needs a town license.
• Town of Shelter Island: Shelter Island takes home improvement license applications online, and a new license needs a $250 check to the town, a liability certificate naming the town as certificate holder and, if applicable, a workers' compensation certificate.

Beyond the license

• Ask for a certificate of insurance sent to you by the insurer, naming you as the certificate holder.
• Ask who files the permit and books the inspections, and get it in the contract.
• Get the price, the scope, the start and finish dates and the payment schedule in a written contract.