What Can a Handyman Do Without a License in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana?

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

Indiana has no statewide general contractor license; instead, licensing is handled entirely at the city and county level. Evansville requires a Building Contractor ($360) or Residential Contractor ($210) license from the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Building Commission for most construction work. There is no statewide handyman dollar-threshold exemption like California's $1,000 rule. However, Indiana's Home Improvement Contract Act (HICA) applies to residential jobs over $150, requiring a written contract. Plumbing is the only trade licensed at the state level in Indiana; electrical and HVAC are licensed locally by Evansville. Even exempt handymen must obtain building permits for most work.

✅ What You Can Do Without a License

• Minor drywall repairs and patching (non-structural)
• Interior painting (residential)
• Basic carpentry repairs (non-structural, e.g., replacing trim, shelving installation)
• Fixture replacement (light fixtures, faucets, door hardware — not plumbing or electrical system work)
• Caulking and weatherstripping
• Basic handyman maintenance and repairs under the Home Improvement Contract Act threshold ($150 for residential work)
• Gutter cleaning and minor repairs (non-structural)
• Door and window replacement (if not affecting structural integrity — verify with Building Commission)
• Note: Even 'unlicensed' work typically requires building permits in Evansville. Verify with the Building Commission at (812) 435-5000 before assuming any work is exempt from permitting.

Common Jobs Handymen Take in Evansville

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

• Minor drywall repairs and patching (non-structural)
• Interior painting (residential)
• Basic carpentry repairs (non-structural, e.g., replacing trim, shelving installation)
• Fixture replacement (light fixtures, faucets, door hardware — not plumbing or electrical system work)
• Caulking and weatherstripping
• Basic handyman maintenance and repairs under the Home Improvement Contract Act threshold ($150 for residential work)
• Gutter cleaning and minor repairs (non-structural)
• Door and window replacement (if not affecting structural integrity — verify with Building Commission)

⚠️ What Requires a License

• Any electrical work beyond simple fixture changes (requires Master Electrician or Journeyman Electrician license from Evansville Building Commission)
• Any plumbing work beyond simple fixture replacement (requires state-licensed plumber registered locally with Evansville Building Commission)
• HVAC system installation, repair, or maintenance (requires HVAC Contractor license from Evansville Building Commission)
• Structural modifications or additions (requires Building Contractor or Residential Contractor license)
• Roofing work (requires Roofing Contractor license from Evansville Building Commission)
• Wrecking or demolition (requires Wrecking Contractor license)
• Fire sprinkler or fire alarm system work (requires Fire Sprinkler or Fire Alarm Contractor license)
• Swimming pool construction or repair (requires Swimming Pool Contractor license)
• Concrete work (requires Concrete Contractor license)
• Masonry or brick work (requires Brick and Masonry Contractor license)
• Siding or guttering installation (requires Siding and Guttering Contractor license)
• Radon testing or mitigation (requires state-level radon license from IPLA)
• Any work on multi-family residential, commercial, or industrial buildings (requires Building Contractor license)

Business License — Evansville

Required. Building Contractor License or Residential Contractor License (issued by Evansville-Vanderburgh County Building Commission)

Setting Up Your Business in IN

To get paid professionally and protect yourself, register your business. LLC filing fee in IN: $100 (one-time). You'll also need a free EIN from the IRS and a business checking account.

Your Next Steps to Operating Legally in Evansville

1. Step 1: Determine your business structure (sole proprietorship, LLC, or corporation). LLC is recommended for liability protection. File with Indiana Secretary of State via INBiz (https://inbiz.in.gov) for $100.
2. Step 2: Obtain a Registered Retail Merchant Certificate (RRMC) from Indiana Department of Revenue via INBiz ($25) if you will collect sales tax on materials.
3. Step 3: Gather three (3) notarized letters of recommendation proving 4+ years of experience in your trade (electrical, HVAC, general contracting, etc.).
4. Step 4: Submit your application and letters to the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Building Commission at (812) 436-7880 or cevenson@evansville.in.gov.
5. Step 5: Wait for approval to take the exam. Contact Ivy Tech at (812) 429-9852 to schedule your exam ($175 fee, open-book).
6. Step 6: Pass the exam and obtain proof of general liability insurance ($500,000-$1,000,000 depending on license type) and a $25,000 surety bond.
7. Step 7: Pay your contractor license fee ($210-$360 depending on license type) to the Building Commission.
8. Step 8: Receive your contractor license from the Building Commission.
9. Step 9: For each job, obtain a building permit from the Building Commission before starting work.
10. Step 10: Comply with the Home Improvement Contract Act (HICA) by providing a written contract for residential jobs over $150.

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.