What Can a Handyman Do Without a License in Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Indiana?

By Ray Duke, Founder of Bulletproof Handyman · Last reviewed August 2026

Crawfordsville, Indiana has no statewide general contractor license requirement. Instead, licensing is handled at the city level through Crawfordsville's contractor registration ($25 fee, requires proof of insurance). The only state-licensed trade in Indiana is plumbing (Indiana Plumbing Commission, $50 application fee). Electrical and HVAC work are licensed locally through Crawfordsville's Planning and Building Services Department. There is no statewide handyman exemption threshold in Indiana—work requiring permits or involving licensed trades must comply with local and state rules.

✅ What You Can Do Without a License

• Minor drywall repairs and patching (non-structural)
• Interior and exterior painting (including prep work like sanding and caulking)
• Basic carpentry work such as installing shelves, trim, baseboards, and door/window frames (non-structural)
• Replacing light fixtures, outlets, and switches (simple fixture replacement only—no rewiring or panel work)
• Replacing faucets, showerheads, and other plumbing fixtures (like-for-like replacement only—no rough-in plumbing)
• Caulking, weatherstripping, and basic weatherization
• Gutter cleaning and minor repairs
• Deck staining and sealing (non-structural)
• Tile work and flooring installation (non-structural, no structural modifications)

Common Jobs Handymen Take in Crawfordsville

Based on the IN threshold, handymen in Crawfordsville commonly take on:

• Minor drywall repairs and patching (non-structural)
• Interior and exterior painting (including prep work like sanding and caulking)
• Basic carpentry work such as installing shelves, trim, baseboards, and door/window frames (non-structural)
• Replacing light fixtures, outlets, and switches (simple fixture replacement only—no rewiring or panel work)
• Replacing faucets, showerheads, and other plumbing fixtures (like-for-like replacement only—no rough-in plumbing)
• Caulking, weatherstripping, and basic weatherization
• Gutter cleaning and minor repairs
• Deck staining and sealing (non-structural)

⚠️ What Requires a License

• Any plumbing work beyond simple like-for-like fixture replacement (requires Indiana state plumbing license from IPLA—$50 application fee, $100 renewal)
• Electrical work beyond simple fixture replacement, including rewiring, panel work, and rough-in electrical (requires local Crawfordsville electrical contractor registration)
• HVAC system installation, repair, or replacement (requires local Crawfordsville HVAC contractor registration)
• Any work that requires a building permit in Crawfordsville (requires contractor registration—$25 fee)
• Structural modifications, load-bearing wall removal, or foundation work (requires contractor registration and building permits)
• Roofing work (requires local contractor registration)
• Gas line work (requires state or local licensing—verify with Crawfordsville Planning & Building Services)
• Work on pre-1978 homes involving lead-based paint disturbance (requires EPA RRP certification—$300 per firm, 5-year renewal)

Business License — Crawfordsville

Required. Contractor Registration (primary local credential for all contractors doing work for hire)

Setting Up Your Business in IN

To get paid professionally and protect yourself, register your business. LLC filing fee in IN: $95 (one-time). You'll also need a free EIN from the IRS and a business checking account.

Your Next Steps to Operating Legally in Crawfordsville

1. Step 1: Form your business entity (LLC recommended). File Articles of Organization with the Indiana Secretary of State via https://inbiz.in.gov ($95 online filing fee). This is a one-time step.
2. Step 2: Obtain general liability insurance. Contact an insurance agent and request a Certificate of Insurance. Crawfordsville's contractor registration requires proof of insurance.
3. Step 3: Register as a contractor with the City of Crawfordsville. Submit the contractor registration application (PDF available at https://www.crawfordsville.in.gov/171/Contractor-Registration) along with your Certificate of Insurance and $25 fee (cash or check, payable to City of Crawfordsville) to the Planning and Building Services Department, (765) 364-5160.
4. Step 4: If performing plumbing work, apply for a state plumbing license from the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA). Application fee: $50. Verify experience requirements and exam details at https://www.in.gov/pla/professions/plumbing-home/plumbing-licensing-information/.
5. Step 5: For each project, determine whether a building permit is required. Contact Crawfordsville Planning & Building Services at (765) 364-5160 or check https://www.crawfordsville.in.gov/170/Building-Permit-Fees-Pricing.
6. Step 6: If working on pre-1978 homes, obtain EPA RRP certification ($300 per firm, 5-year renewal) at https://www.epa.gov/lead.
7. Step 7: Keep your Certificate of Insurance current and on file with the City of Crawfordsville. If your insurance changes, submit an updated certificate immediately.

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.