hello - I have been doing a few projects on the side for some extra pocket
money. Commissioned furniture, general repairs and carpentry. Not enough to
make a living but enough to do things like pay for vacation and gas money,
etc. I do projects like decks or kitchens or baths or whatever roofing, etc.
Most of my work has been word of mouth. My prices reflect that my
availability is limited by my day job. I do quality work and usually have
something in the pipeline.

I have been in contact with a national company selling products that need
installation. They are fine working with part time local installers for
their products. The project is simple to install and may also have some add
on work possibilities that go 100% to me. Their fee schedule for their
installs seems a bit low to me but not bad if I can do the installs quick.
Anyway, that's not the gist of my question.

My questions have to do with licensing, permits, etc. The state I am in does
not license general contractors. Each township has its own requirements for
license requirements, what's required for a permit and so forth. I do have a
"license" with the state to collect sales tax, etc.

How does a contractor claimed to be licensed? You see that all the time. In
my state I'm sure guys, even the bigger ones, are not getting licensed in
each township they operate in. What a logistical nightmare that would be.
Even just knowing for each township what requires and what doesn't require a
permit is a real PIA. Some townships around here require plumbers,
electricians, etc. to be licensed. Others do not specifically mention it
although I suspect they do to. I'm in a gray area as a generalist. What to
do?

Thanks