What Can a Handyman Do Without a License in Houston, TX?
Texas does not issue a single statewide "general contractor" license for typical handyman/general repair work, but Texas does require state licenses for specific trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC) and some specialty work. In Houston (Harris County), you generally must comply with City of Houston permits/inspections for many projects even if you don’t need a state contractor license; trade work must be done by appropriately licensed individuals/contractors. Texas does not have a simple statewide "handyman exemption" with a dollar threshold that allows unlicensed electrical/plumbing/HVAC work—those trades remain licensed regardless of job price.
✅ What You Can Do Without a License
- Painting (interior/exterior) and staining/finishing wood (non-structural scope)
- Minor drywall repair (patching holes, texture repair, small-area replacement not involving structural changes)
- Basic carpentry such as trim/baseboard replacement, door hardware replacement, shelving installation (not altering structural framing)
- Caulking, weatherstripping, minor masonry tuckpointing/patching that does not alter structural elements
- Tile repair/regrout and cosmetic flooring repairs (not involving structural subfloor modification)
- Fence/gate repairs that do not involve electrical gate operators or significant structural engineering
- Appliance installation that is purely plug-in and does not require hardwiring or gas plumbing connections
- Furniture assembly, TV mounting, curtain/blind installation, and other non-trade home maintenance tasks
Common Jobs Handymen Take in Houston
Based on the TX threshold, handymen in Houston commonly take on:
- Painting (interior/exterior) and staining/finishing wood (non-structural scope)
- Minor drywall repair (patching holes, texture repair, small-area replacement not involving structural changes)
- Basic carpentry such as trim/baseboard replacement, door hardware replacement, shelving installation (not altering structural framing)
- Caulking, weatherstripping, minor masonry tuckpointing/patching that does not alter structural elements
- Tile repair/regrout and cosmetic flooring repairs (not involving structural subfloor modification)
- Fence/gate repairs that do not involve electrical gate operators or significant structural engineering
- Appliance installation that is purely plug-in and does not require hardwiring or gas plumbing connections
- Furniture assembly, TV mounting, curtain/blind installation, and other non-trade home maintenance tasks
⚠️ What Requires a License
- Electrical work (running new circuits, panel work, most hardwired installations, troubleshooting/repair of wiring) — regulated by TDLR electrician/electrical contractor rules
- Plumbing work beyond very limited minor tasks (installing/modifying water supply or drain lines, water heater replacement, sewer/drain work, fixture valve changes in many cases) — regulated by TSBPE licensing rules and often requires permits
- HVAC work (installation/service/repair of central air, refrigerant-containing systems) — requires TDLR ACR contractor compliance
- Any work involving natural gas piping/appliance gas piping connections may trigger licensed plumbing/HVAC requirements and permits/inspections
- Structural modifications (removing load-bearing walls, framing changes, major roof structural work) — typically requires permits/plan review and may require licensed professionals depending on scope
- Fire sprinkler and fire alarm related work (specialty regulated/permit-driven work depending on system type and scope)
- Projects requiring city permits/inspections in Houston (even if you personally do allowable non-trade labor, the permitted portions must be performed/verified under applicable licensed trades and code rules)
Business License — Houston
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 Houston
- Step 1: Register your business entity (LLC recommended) with the Texas Secretary of State ($300 filing fee).
- Step 2: If operating under a name other than your legal entity/personal name, file an assumed name (DBA) as appropriate through Harris County Clerk (and/or at the state level depending on entity type).
- Step 3: Obtain general liability insurance sized to your job types (common small handyman limits are $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate).
- Step 4: Before offering any electrical/plumbing/HVAC work, confirm the exact scope allowed for you vs. required licensed trades with TDLR/TSBPE and pull permits through the Houston Permitting Center when required.
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.