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Home > 50-State Directory > Wisconsin > Historic Masonry Restoration
WI Compliance Guide Verified for 2026/2027 Structural & Framing

Wisconsin Historic Preservation & Lime Mortar Masonry Contractor

Comprehensive regulatory guidelines, surety bond pricing, and required liability coverage established by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). Verify statutory rules, satisfy commercial property owners, and access digital ACORD certificates in under 5 minutes.

Audited by Pasi Tapio Hakamaki • Editorial Review: September 2026 • Statutory Authority: Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)
Min General Liability
$1,000,000
Occurrence / $2,000,000 General Aggregate
Required State Bond
$25,000 Dwelling Contractor Financial Bond
From $425/yr with preferred credit
Board Application Fee
$40 + $30 (Qualifier)
Exam Provider: DSPS / Pearson VUE
License Renewal
Every 2 Years
CE: Varies by municipality or trade board
✓
Primary Source Verified: 2026 Statutory Code Review
Requirements cross-referenced against the official Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) administrative code.
Official WI Board Portal → | Our Audit Methodology
Interactive Compliance Tool Live 2026 Underwriting Matrix

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Target Jurisdiction
Wisconsin (WI)
Trade Classification
Historic Preservation & Lime Mortar Masonry Contractor
Estimated Annual Gross Revenue $350,000
$50k $1.5M $3M+
Estimated Statutory Costs Instant Certificate Available
General Liability (GL)
$1,000,000 Each Occurrence / $2,000,000 General Aggregate
$197/mo
~$2,363 / year
Contractor License Bond
Wisconsin $25,000 Bond
$250/yr
1.0% (Tier 1 Preferred) on $25,000 bond
Workers' Comp Alert: In Wisconsin: Mandatory for employers with 3+ employees or 1+ employee paid $500+ in any calendar quarter (Wis. Stat. § 102.04 & § 102.07).
Review Governing Statutory Citations Explore 50-State Licensing Directory →

*Estimates based on standard market rates for commercial artisan contractors. Exact quotes require underwriting review of prior loss history, specific endorsements, and payroll declarations.

Historic Preservation & Lime Mortar Masonry Contractor Scope of Work & Legal Permitting Authority

Historic masonry contractors restore centuries-old brick structures, architectural terracotta cornices, and brownstone facades using breathable lime mortars.

Defined Authorized Scope of Construction:

Hand raking mortar joints, custom-color lime mortar pointing, helical structural tie anchoring, and stone Dutchmen patching.

Permit Trigger in Wisconsin: Any exterior alteration to registered historical landmark buildings
Minor Work Exemption Threshold: No statewide dollar threshold; Dwelling Contractor certification required to pull building permits

Mandatory Experience Prerequisites

5 years non-destructive mortar analysis, historic lime mortar tuckpointing, terracotta patching, and historic landmark compliance

Required Insurance Policy Endorsements

Historic Fabric Non-Replaceable Artifact Damage Rider, Scaffolding Liability

Governing Technical Code & Safety Standard
Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 101 Subchapter III & SPS Chapter 305
International Building Code (IBC Chapter 16) Structural Load Engineering & AISC 303 Code of Standard Practice
Testing & Compliance Benchmarks: AWS D1.1 structural steel welding standards and AWC National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction. Focuses on seismic tie-downs, certified moment-resisting connections, engineered truss bracing, and load-path continuous hold-downs.
Procedural Roadmap

How to Obtain a Historic Preservation & Lime Mortar Masonry Contractor License in Wisconsin

Official 4-step compliance path pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 101 Subchapter III & SPS Chapter 305.

Official Board Rules →
1

Legal Entity & EIN Formation

Wisconsin Business Entity Filing Statutes

Form your business entity (LLC, Corporation, or Sole Proprietorship) with the Wisconsin Secretary of State and secure your Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN). Ensure your registered business name precisely matches all state and municipal filings.

2

Designate Qualifying Individual (QI)

Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) Experience Verification Rules

Appoint a Qualifying Party, Primary Qualifying Agent, or Responsible Managing Employee (RME). The QI must verify 5 years non-destructive mortar analysis, historic lime mortar tuckpointing, terracotta patching, and historic landmark compliance and satisfy experience criteria governed under Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 101 Subchapter III & SPS Chapter 305.

3

Execute Statutory Bond & Insurance

Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 101 Subchapter III & SPS Chapter 305 Financial Responsibility Mandates

Secure the mandatory $25,000 Dwelling Financial contractor license bond executed by an admitted surety. File an official Certificate of Insurance (COI) maintaining at least $1,000,000 Each Occurrence / $2,000,000 General Aggregate Commercial General Liability, naming Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) as certificate holder.

4

Examination & Board License Issuance

DSPS / Pearson VUE Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB)

Complete the Wisconsin Business & Law examination along with the specific Historic Masonry Restoration technical trade examination administered by DSPS / Pearson VUE. Submit application fees ($40 + $30 (Qualifier)) to receive official licensure and permit pull authorization.

Regulatory Authority: Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) (WI)
Official State Government Portal

Ready to file with the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)?

Make sure your statutory $25,000 Dwelling Contractor Financial Bond (and for LLC entities, your General Liability Certificate listing the state licensing board as certificate holder) are electronically active prior to submitting application fees.

Visit Official WI Board Portal Calculate Statutory Minimums →
Verified Statutory Guidance

Wisconsin Historic Masonry Restoration Compliance & Insurance FAQs

Direct answers on state licensing prerequisites, insurance thresholds, and surety bond regulations.

Is a state contractor license legally mandated for Historic Masonry Restoration contractors in Wisconsin?

Yes, executing commercial or residential historic masonry restoration contractor projects in Wisconsin legally requires an active state contractor license issued by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) under Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 101 Subchapter III & SPS Chapter 305. Performing contracting services without official board credentials triggers immediate stop-work orders, statutory fines, and civil citations.

What technical codes govern historic masonry restoration contractor operations in Wisconsin?

Historic Preservation & Lime Mortar Masonry Contractor installations in Wisconsin must strictly adhere to the International Building Code (IBC Chapter 16) Structural Load Engineering & AISC 303 Code of Standard Practice. In addition, all completed work and materials must satisfy AWS D1.1 structural steel welding standards and AWC National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction to pass municipal building inspection.

What are the commercial general liability insurance minimums for Historic Masonry Restoration contractors in Wisconsin?

Historic Masonry Restoration contractors in Wisconsin typically must maintain a minimum of $1,000,000 Each Occurrence / $2,000,000 General Aggregate in commercial general liability insurance. Under Wisconsin statutory rules and General Contractor (GC) bid standards, policies must cover bodily injury, property damage, and completed operations to secure jobsite clearance.

How much does the required Wisconsin Historic Masonry Restoration surety bond cost?

A Wisconsin historic masonry restoration contractor license bond costs between $425 and $638 per year for contractors with standard credit, satisfying the statutory $25,000 Dwelling Financial bond requirement. High-risk credit profiles range from $765 to $1063 annually. Premium rates are calculated as a percentage of the total bond penal sum.

Is workers' compensation insurance required for Historic Masonry Restoration contractors in Wisconsin?

Yes, proof of active workers' compensation insurance is required for construction employers in Wisconsin. Under Wis. Stat. § 102.04 & § 102.07, coverage is mandatory for employers with 3+ employees or 1+ employee paid $500+ in any calendar quarter. General Contractors and municipal building inspectors mandate a Certificate of Insurance (COI) prior to jobsite access. Sole proprietors with 0 employees: Sole proprietors with 0 employees exempt under Wis. Stat. § 102.07(8); commercial GCs require signed affidavit of exemption.

Does Wisconsin offer contractor license reciprocity for Historic Masonry Restoration contractors?

Yes, Wisconsin maintains formal reciprocal licensing agreements with MN, IL for qualified historic masonry restoration contractor applicants. Out-of-state contractors in good standing under equivalent statutory frameworks can apply to waive trade exams, though state law and business rules testing may still apply.

Primary Sources

Official Statutory Citations & Legal Authorities

Jurisdiction: Wisconsin (WI)
Primary Licensing Authority
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS)
Official State Portal Link →
Enabling State Statute / Administrative Code
Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 101 Subchapter III & SPS Chapter 305
Statutory authority for trade licensing & discipline
Mandatory License Bond Statute
$25,000 Dwelling Contractor Financial Bond
Continuous penal surety bond filing
Governing Technical Code & Testing Standards
International Building Code (IBC Chapter 16) Structural Load Engineering & AISC 303 Code of Standard Practice
Testing Provider: DSPS / Pearson VUE • AWS D1.1 structural steel welding standards and AWC National Design Specification (NDS) for Wood Construction
PTH
Statutory Research Standards & Verification Desk

Audited by Pasi Tapio Hakamaki • Managing Editor

This compliance benchmark for Wisconsin Historic Preservation & Lime Mortar Masonry Contractors is audited against primary state legislative statutes (Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 101 Subchapter III & SPS Chapter 305) and administrative rules published by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). TradeCertify maintains strict editorial independence. If you represent a regulatory body or note an erratum in statutory bond limits, please contact our research desk.

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