What Can a Handyman Do Without a License in Fishers, Hamilton County, Indiana?
Indiana has no statewide general contractor license requirement, but all residential home improvement work over $150 requires a written contract under the Home Improvement Contract Act (IC 24-5-11). Fishers requires contractor registration (not a license) to pull permits, but does not require a separate city business license. Plumbing is the only trade licensed at the state level in Indiana; electrical and HVAC are local-only. An LLC filing fee of $95 with the Indiana Secretary of State is recommended for business formation.
✅ What You Can Do Without a License
- Minor drywall repairs and patching (non-structural)
- Interior and exterior painting (residential)
- Basic carpentry work (non-structural, such as trim, shelving, deck staining)
- Fixture replacement (light fixtures, faucets, door hardware) — not installation of new systems
- Caulking and weatherstripping
- Gutter cleaning and minor repairs
- Pressure washing and exterior cleaning
- Flooring installation (vinyl, laminate, tile) — not structural subfloor work
- Cabinet installation and refinishing
- Any work under $150 does not require a written contract under the Home Improvement Contract Act, but may still require permits
Common Jobs Handymen Take in Fishers
Based on the IN threshold, handymen in Fishers commonly take on:
- Minor drywall repairs and patching (non-structural)
- Interior and exterior painting (residential)
- Basic carpentry work (non-structural, such as trim, shelving, deck staining)
- Fixture replacement (light fixtures, faucets, door hardware) — not installation of new systems
- Caulking and weatherstripping
- Gutter cleaning and minor repairs
- Pressure washing and exterior cleaning
- Flooring installation (vinyl, laminate, tile) — not structural subfloor work
⚠️ What Requires a License
- Any plumbing work (state license required from dollar one under IC 25-28.5)
- Electrical work beyond simple fixture replacement (local permit required; state license not required but local registration required)
- HVAC system installation, repair, or replacement (local permit required)
- Gas piping installation (requires licensed plumber under IC 25-28.5)
- Structural modifications or load-bearing wall work
- Roof installation or replacement (local permit required)
- Window or door replacement affecting structural integrity (local permit required)
- Water heater installation or replacement (local permit required)
- Any work affecting electrical panels or service upgrades (local permit required)
- Deck construction (local permit required)
- Any residential home improvement work over $150 (requires written contract under IC 24-5-11, regardless of license status)
Business License — Fishers
Not required at the city level.
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 Fishers
- Step 1: Form a business entity (LLC recommended). File Articles of Organization with the Indiana Secretary of State ($95 fee) through INBiz at inbiz.in.gov. File the Biennial Report every 2 years ($32 fee).
- Step 2: Register for sales tax if applicable. If your business sells tangible goods, register for a Registered Retail Merchant Certificate (RRMC) through the Indiana Department of Revenue at in.gov/dor (no fee).
- Step 3: Obtain general liability insurance. Fishers requires proof of insurance ($1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate typical) for contractor registration.
- Step 4: Register as a contractor with the City of Fishers. Register online at fishersin.viewpointcloud.com or call (317) 595-3120. Provide proof of insurance and contact information.
- Step 5: Verify trade-specific requirements. If you plan to do plumbing work, apply for a state Plumbing Contractor License through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency at in.gov/pla ($50 application fee, $100 renewal fee every odd year). For electrical or HVAC work, verify local permit requirements with Fishers Permits & Inspections.
- Step 6: Understand the Home Improvement Contract Act. For any residential home improvement work over $150, provide a written contract that includes accurate contact information, project start and completion dates, total cost, and detailed description of work.
- Step 7: Pull permits before starting work. Contact Fishers Permits & Inspections at (317) 595-3120 or fishersin.viewpointcloud.com to pull required permits for each project.
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.