What Can a Handyman Do Without a License in Arlington, Texas (Tarrant County)?
Handymen and general contractors in Arlington, Texas do not need a state-level general contractor license—Texas has no such requirement. However, any work involving electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or irrigation requires a state trade license from TDLR or TSBPE. Arlington requires contractor registration and building permits for most work. A city business license is not required, but you must register as a contractor with the City of Arlington and obtain project-specific building permits. Trade-specific work (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) requires state licensure regardless of job size or cost.
✅ What You Can Do Without a License
- Painting and wallpapering (interior and exterior)
- Tiling and flooring installation (non-structural)
- Cabinet installation and countertop replacement
- Caulking, weatherstripping, and basic sealant work
- Installing cabinet hardware, door handles, and light fixtures (non-electrical)
- Drywall patching and finishing (minor repairs, not structural)
- Carpentry work that does not affect structural integrity (trim, shelving, non-load-bearing work)
- Pressure washing and exterior cleaning
- Minor repairs and maintenance that do not require building permits
Common Jobs Handymen Take in Arlington
Based on the TX threshold, handymen in Arlington commonly take on:
- Painting and wallpapering (interior and exterior)
- Tiling and flooring installation (non-structural)
- Cabinet installation and countertop replacement
- Caulking, weatherstripping, and basic sealant work
- Installing cabinet hardware, door handles, and light fixtures (non-electrical)
- Drywall patching and finishing (minor repairs, not structural)
- Carpentry work that does not affect structural integrity (trim, shelving, non-load-bearing work)
- Pressure washing and exterior cleaning
⚠️ What Requires a License
- Any electrical work beyond simple fixture changes (requires TDLR electrician license)
- Any plumbing work beyond simple fixture replacements (requires TSBPE plumber license)
- HVAC system installation, repair, or maintenance (requires TDLR HVAC license)
- Water heater installation or replacement (requires plumbing license and building permit)
- Irrigation system installation (requires TCEQ irrigation license)
- Structural modifications, framing, or load-bearing work (requires building permit; may require contractor registration)
- Roofing work (no state license required, but requires building permit and municipal compliance; new reroofing contractor registration may apply)
- Window or door replacement affecting structural integrity (requires building permit)
- Any work affecting electrical panels or circuits (requires TDLR electrician license)
- Any work affecting plumbing systems or water supply (requires TSBPE plumber license)
- Any work affecting mechanical systems (HVAC, gas lines, etc.) (requires TDLR license and building permit)
Business License — Arlington
Not required at the city level.
Setting Up Your Business in TX
To get paid professionally and protect yourself, register your business. LLC filing fee in TX: $300 (one-time). You'll also need a free EIN from the IRS and a business checking account.
Your Next Steps to Operating Legally in Arlington
- Step 1: Determine your business structure (sole proprietor, LLC, or corporation). If using a trade name as a sole proprietor, file an Assumed Name Certificate with Tarrant County Clerk (~$14–$20). If forming an LLC, file a Certificate of Formation with the Texas Secretary of State ($300 one-time fee).
- Step 2: Obtain a Sales & Use Tax Permit from the Texas Comptroller (free) at https://comptroller.texas.gov if you will sell taxable services or materials.
- Step 3: Register as a contractor with the City of Arlington through the Arlington Permits portal (https://ap.arlingtontx.gov). Verify the current registration fee and process by calling (817) 459-6502.
- Step 4: If performing electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or irrigation work, obtain the required state trade license from TDLR or TSBPE. This is mandatory and non-negotiable.
- Step 5: Obtain general liability insurance (typically $300–$800 annually). Arlington requires proof of insurance with permit applications.
- Step 6: For each project, verify permit requirements with Arlington Permits. Obtain building permits before starting work.
- Step 7: If operating from home, obtain a Home Based Business permit from Arlington and verify zoning restrictions.
- Step 8: If working in Arlington's historic district, obtain historic preservation permits for exterior work visible from public areas.
- Step 9: If working on federal property (NAS Fort Worth JRB), register in SAM.gov (free) for contracts over $10,000 and obtain base access credentials.
Licensing rules and fees change over time, so this information may be out of date. Verify all requirements with your local licensing authority before making business decisions.