The 10 Best Plumbers in Washington, DC

Anyone operating a business in DC is required to hold a Basic Business License from the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), including general contractors. Be sure to check that any sub-contractor is also licensed to perform work in DC, not just in surrounding states such as Maryland or Virginia. Use our bidding system to find the best licensed contractors in your area.

If you're looking to perform one of the 50 most common home improvement projects, you can now apply for permits through the Department of Consumers and Regulatory Affars (DCRA) online portal called Postcard Permit. You can apply, pay for, and receive permits for select projects through the site, saving you a trip to to the DCRA.

Without a permit you can only do very minor projects such as putting up wallpaper, floor coverings such as tiles and carpets, or installing cabinets and countertops. For a complete list of items that are exempted from permits, refer to section 105.2 of the 2013 DC Construction Code Supplement.