Get Quotes from Top Handymen in Indianapolis, IN

Are You Licensed To Practice as a Handyman in Indianapolis?

Handymen are not required to hold an occupational license before providing their services in Indianapolis. However, before they can execute home improvement jobs that require city-issued permits, handymen must obtain the appropriate contractor license from the city's Department of Business and Neighborhood Services.

To obtain a contractor license from the Department, applicants are expected to visit the contractor licensing page and apply for the appropriate contractor license that qualifies them for a home improvement project. As soon as they select the appropriate contractor license they want, applicants will be required to download, complete, and submit the contractor license application form to the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services office at:

It is important to note that hiring a handyman to carry out home improvement work for which a permit is required can result in more damages and also fines for contracting an uninsured technician. You can be held liable for any personal injury to the uninsured handyman.

As a result, you should always ensure that your handyman obtains the appropriate contractor license for home improvement jobs that require city-issued permits. By checking the lists of currently licensed contractors in the city, you can confirm if the handyman you intend to hire has obtained a contractor license. For more information concerning contractor licensing, call the city's Department of Business and Neighborhood Services at (317) 327-1219.

While handymen in Indianapolis are not required to have an occupational license unless they are performing work that requires city-issued permits, they must meet the specific business registration requirements before they can operate as a legitimate business in the city. These include filing an Assumed Name Certificate with the Indiana Secretary of State or recording the business name with the Marion County Recorder's Office when the business name does not contain the owner's actual name.

Handyman services must also meet all the applicable tax responsibilities, obtain an Employee Identification Number (EIN), register with the Indiana Department of Workforce Development if the business will employ people, and obtain workers' compensation insurance before they can operate legally. Information concerning business registration requirements in Indianapolis can be obtained by calling the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services at (317) 327-1219 or visiting the Indiana Business Owners guide page.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Handymen in Indianapolis?

In Indianapolis, the hourly rate charged by handymen varies depending on a number of factors. These include the nature and scope of the work, the type and cost of materials required to complete the work, the time of the year, and the amount of labor required to do the work. As a homeowner in the city, you should always obtain and compare quotations from different handymen before choosing the best individual for the job. You should also find out whether the estimates were calculated using hourly rates or a flat fee, as this is the only way to determine the work's actual price.

However, always remember that when comparing estimates, the lowest bidder is not always the best individual for the task, as many fraudulent individuals use low bids to attract homeowners. Indianapolis handymen earn an average wage of $43,930 annually. The table below compares and contrasts the average hourly wages of handymen and other general maintenance and repair workers in Indianapolis with those of workers in this industry across the State of Indiana and major American cities:

Do You Require a Permit To Complete This Work in Indianapolis?

A permit is required to construct, add to, remodel, repair, or convert a structure or building service equipment in Indianapolis. A homeowner or contractor may need to obtain multiple permits before beginning a project in the city, depending on the nature and scope of the work. Only licensed contractors and homeowners are eligible to apply for these permits, which are issued by the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services.

While a permit is needed for most construction activities in the city, the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services exempts certain home improvement work from permitting. Typical home improvement works that do not require permits in Indianapolis include:

• Replacement of prime doors and windows if performed by licensed contractors
• Installation and replacement of existing siding if performed by a listed contractor
• Maintenance and repair of a structure where the work does not reduce performance or create additional health or safety risks
• Installation and replacement of fixtures attached to the walls or floors, such as cupboards, cabinets, shelving, railings, tracks, wall and floor coverings, and doors
• Maintenance and repair of storm windows and other exterior windows designed and used as protection against severe weather
• Gutter replacement or installation
• Installation of thermal insulation

Homeowners or licensed contractors in the city can apply for and obtain a permit for home improvement work online. However, to use any available online permit services, homeowners and licensed contractors must create a profile with a unique User ID and password. Homeowners and contractors who do not wish to complete the permit application online can also do so by downloading, completing, and submitting the appropriate permit application form at:

Before a permit is issued, applicants must provide the name of the property owner and the contracting firm that will be performing the work, a legal description of the property and the work to be done, site plans drawn to scale, and drawings of all sides of the building. Applicants are additionally required to pay the applicable permit fees. Only applicants who meet the specific permit requirements for a project will be issued a permit once the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services has reviewed all necessary documents.

The permits will be issued when approved, and If the building permit is not issued within six months from the date of submission, the application will be abandoned. Homeowners and licensed contractors can call the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services at (317) 327-1219 to learn more about the permit requirements for their project and whether an inspection is required once the permit is obtained. Once a permit is issued, a copy of the permit must be displayed at the building site in a way that makes it visible across the street.

What Works Can You Do Legally as a Handyman in Indianapolis?

Handymen in Indianapolis do not need an occupational license to provide their services. As a result, these professionals are legally permitted to carry out a wide range of home improvement projects as long as they do not require a city-issued permit. Home improvement projects requiring a city-issued permit can only be executed by a licensed contractor in the city or by the homeowner themselves, provided that the homeowner signs a statement of intent and understanding before pulling the permit.

Any handyman who intends to execute a project requiring a city-issued permit must first obtain the appropriate contractor license from the Department of Business and Neighborhood Service. Call the Department at (317) 327-1219 to ask if the project you want to carry out requires a permit. Whether or not your project requires a city-issued permit, ensuring that the individual you intend to hire is experienced enough to handle the project is crucial. Hiring an experienced handyman protects you from future costly repairs caused by shoddy work.

Listed below are cost estimates for some of the services that handymen in Indianapolis offer:

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Handymen in Indianapolis?

In the year 2020, a total of 70 fatal work-related injuries and 23,400 nonfatal work-related injuries were reported among general maintenance and repair workers across the country. As such, even if there is no law requiring handymen to have insurance before working in the city, it is crucial to ensure that the individual you intend to hire for your project is covered. Hiring an individual with all the necessary insurance policies protects you from being liable for personal injury and property damage during your work.

You may verify that they have the proper coverage by requesting a copy of the handyman's insurance certificate and contacting the insurance company that issued it. You should also inquire about the handyman's ability to complete the project on their own. If they are going to hire other people to help with the project, be sure the handyman has workers' compensation insurance. Employers in Indiana are permitted to obtain workers' compensation insurance from private insurance companies, so you can request a certificate from your handyman and contact the company that issued the certificate.