Texas is a great state to start a handyman business because they have very few restrictions and licensing requirements, unlike most states.
While most states regulate homebuilders, carpenters, handymen, and even painters, you can pretty much build a house without a contractor’s license in Texas.
However, there are restrictions on specific jobs, and in some cases, cities have their own laws regulating handyman work. On this page, I’ll share what you can and can’t do as a handyman or contractor in Texas.
Do you need a license to be a handyman in Texas?
No, there is no state-regulated handyman license, just like there is no state-regulated contractor’s license.
However, there are a few minor limitations on what you can do regarding specialty trades. I’ll talk more about what those are below.
Additionally, in some cities, you will need to register as a handyman to provide home repairs and maintenance.
Texas Handyman Requirements
Currently, general contracting is not overseen on the state level in Texas (as is the case in most other states). But, that has led cities to create their own rules and laws around contracting.
For example, in San Antonio, to provide basic repairs and maintenance, you’ll need to fill out an application, have a background check completed, and pay a small fee before you can legally provide services.
In Austin, there don’t appear to be any registration requirements if you are planning to do minor repairs and maintenance. That is only required for specialty contractors. There are also quite a few projects you can do that do not require a building permit.
So, depending on which city you live in, you may or may not need to register for your license. To find out, I would recommend doing a google search for the keyword “handyman license in city” or “contracting license in city.”
Of course, to operate a legitimate business, you will need the proper business licenses as usual. But these are easy to obtain.
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Texas Handyman Limitations
So, what services can you provide in Texas without a license?
Most states put a financial limit on what you can do without a contractor’s license – usually limiting jobs to $500, $1,000, or even $3,000.
However, in Texas, that isn’t the case. There are currently no limits on job size for unlicensed contractors.
Despite having no limits on job size, there are limits for specialty services. Unless you have a specific license, you can NOT do any:
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Heating, Ventilating, and Cooling
- Elevator/Escalator Safety
- Building of Industrial Housing
That still leaves a LOT of things you can do, like remodeling a kitchen, painting, carpentry, door and window repair and installation, siding, roofing, fence repair, fence construction, and on and on, all without a specific license.
The minimal restrictions in Texas make it much easier to run a profitable handyman business. For example, in Nevada, where I live, you can’t do any projects over $1,000 (including materials) or any plumbing, electrical, or HVAC. I can still run a profitable business, but my business would be far easier to scale if there weren’t so many limitations.
As long as you have the skills and set up your marketing correctly, you can run a very profitable and enjoyable business in Texas.
Already offering handyman services in Texas?
If so, I’d love to hear about your experience. Please leave a comment below to share your knowledge or experience.
