Found a loophole in my local business license that saved me $200 a year

I run a small cleaning business out of Denver and last month I noticed the city was charging me for a general contractor license code I never should have had. A buddy at the chamber of commerce tipped me off that I only need a basic service license for mops and vacuums, not remodeling work. Has anyone else found their city slaps on extra fees that don't match what you actually do?

2 comments

2 Comments

abbyhall18h ago

Whoa wait, they had you coded as a general contractor? That is nuts! I can't believe they just stuck you with that without checking what you actually do. It feels like cities throw whatever expensive license they can at small businesses hoping nobody will notice. Makes me wonder how many other cleaning folks are getting overcharged the same way and just paying it without a second thought. Good thing your buddy at the chamber had your back on that one.

davidshah17h ago

Oh man, that is exactly what gets me! Cities seems to just slap the most expensive license category on people and hope they pay. Its like they know small business owners are too busy to fight it. I bet tons of cleaning folks are paying for contractor licenses when they should be in a way cheaper category. Your story is a perfect example of why you have to double check everything they send you. That chamber contact was a lifesaver for sure!