Legal Question in Construction Law in District of Columbia

Re: General contractor licesings

For home improvement contractors, it has long been the law in DC that a license is required, and that if work is done by an unlicensed contractor, not only is the money not owed, but he has to repay everything he received, even if the work is properly performed apart from the lack of a license. For work other than home improvement contracting, it is now the law that all businesses in the District require a license, but it is unlikely the lack of a license will have such a drastic effect, and if the contractor is not based in DC, it is arguable that no license is required (this point is unclear in the law). You should consult with a lawyer familiar with DC construction law to see how this may apply to your specific situation.