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Matthew Silkwood
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Handyman
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Published: 
September 15, 2023
September 15, 2023

What Can a Dallas Handyman Legally Do?

What can a Dallas handyman legally do in your home? What jobs can you hire a handyman service for? We answer our Dallas members’ 10 biggest handyman questions.

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Matthew Silkwood
Director Of Sales & Marketing

Who to hire

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Aledo
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Grandview
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Lake Worth
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Irving
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Roanoke
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Bridgeport
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Having your home repair job shut down by a Dallas area building inspector is a nightmare. It comes with fees, fines and drastic delays in project tasks. If you're hiring a Dallas handyman, you need to know what home services he can legally perform.

A professional handyman isn't always licensed. Depending on the scope of work, that can present a major problem. No amount of job experience makes up for doing unlicensed construction projects.

HOMR analyzed the current Dallas building code and current licensing requirements. We also asked our trusted advisors within the Dallas handyman industry about their business practices.

We paired our findings with the biggest questions HOMR members had about handyman services. The following is a list of Dallas handyman questions that cover a wide range of work and home repair topics.

Read them all, and you'll know exactly what your local handyman can do around the house.

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When Does a Dallas Handyman Need a License and Insurance?

While minor repair jobs can be done without a license, there are many important home services which require one. Dallas homeowners must hire a properly licensed and insured handyman for the following jobs:

  • Home remodeling work
  • Plumbing
  • Electrical
  • Air conditioning and HVAC
  • Significant demolition
  • Concrete work
  • Drywall

The good news? Whether your handyman operates in North Dallas, Preston Hollow or Grand Prairie, the license requirements are exactly the same.

A Dallas handyman can register as a general contractor with Dallas City Hall using this official link

If your handyman doesn’t have a license, there are still plenty of things he can do for you.

What General Maintenance Jobs Can a Dallas Handyman Service Do?

There are plenty of small jobs and maintenance tasks a handyman in Dallas can perform without a license. 

Here’s an updated list of projects a handyman in Dallas can perform:

Handyman Indoor Jobs (Dallas Approved)

  • Carpet Cleaning
  • Door Installation
  • Fireplace Cleaning
  • Fixing and Installing Shelves
  • Furniture Assembly
  • Installing Countertops
  • Replacing Light Fixtures and Outlets (not wiring)
  • Small Carpentry 
  • Tiling

Handyman Outdoor Jobs

  • Hanging Outdoor Lights (not wiring)
  • Landscaping
  • Lawn Mowing
  • Installing a Mailbox
  • Installing a Patio
  • Power Washing, Driveway and Home Siding
  • Outdoor Sprinkler Repair
  • Tree Trimming

So, can a Dallas handyman do any remodeling jobs? What about repair or subcontracting work? It’s important you know exactly what you can (and can’t) hire a handyman to do so you don’t run into any building permit or inspection issues.

Let’s save you that hassle and dive into these specific handyman questions in a little more detail. 

What Remodeling Jobs Can a Dallas Handyman Do?

A professional handyman is a ‘jack of all trades’ by nature. Even the best local handyman won't beat experienced, licensed subcontractors in their specific fields of expertise.

General contractors can answer questions, like “Is that wall load bearing?”, or “Will this addition need a new AC unit?”. They also know what kind of projects require a permit and who holds liability in a given construction project. 

HOMR strongly recommends using a general contractor — not a handyman — for all remodeling projects. It's a safer prospect — there are so many aspects of larger projects that require a contracting license and specific skill sets.

For example — did you know you need a contractor's license to pour concrete and do demolition in Dallas?

If you're confident your handyman can support a remodeling crew, make sure he carries the proper license and insurance.

What Kinds of Repair Work Can a Dallas Handyman Do?

Handymen in Dallas are able to do most repair work without specific licenses. There are 2 specific exceptions — fencing and drywall. (More on that in a moment.)

HOMR members asked us specifically about hiring local handymen for fence repair and window repair jobs. Here's what we found.

Can a Dallas Handyman Do Fence Repair?

Unlike most of Texas, Dallas City Hall requires a general contractor's license to perform fence repair and construction within city limits under some conditions.

A Dallas handyman needs a permit to do the following fence jobs:

  • Repair more than 25% of a side of your fence.
  • Construct a fence more than 4 feet high in your front yard.
  • Construct a fence more than 6 feet high in any other area.

A handyman from outside the Dallas area probably won't know this. Please take a moment to ensure your contractor is properly licensed for your fence project.

TLDR: If it’s a basic fence repair job, call a handyman. If you need extensive fence repair or a new fence, call a general contractor.

Come back soon for our in-depth guide to Dallas fence repair projects.

Can a Dallas Handyman Do Window Repair?

Yes, Dallas handymen can do window repair work. They can also measure drapes, install blinds, hang curtains, and install curtain rods.

Can a Dallas Handyman Do Subcontracting Jobs?

Dallas requires a license to conduct work in all major subcontracting fields. We don’t recommend hiring a handyman for the following projects.

Can A Dallas Handyman Do Plumbing Work?

A Dallas handyman cannot do plumbing work without a general contractor's license.

There are still ways a handyman can assist your plumber. You can ask a handyman to move or install a sink or toilet, for example — he just can’t hook up the plumbing in any way.

Can A Dallas Handyman Do Electrical Work?

A Dallas handyman cannot do electrical work without a general contractor's license.

Can a Dallas Handyman do Air Conditioning and HVAC Work?

A Dallas handyman cannot do air conditioning or HVAC work without a general contractor's license. You can ask a handyman to move or relocate your air conditioning unit, but he can’t hook it up.

Can a Dallas Handyman Service Install Appliances?

A Dallas handyman can install appliances, but cannot engage in any related plumbing or electrical work without a general contractor's license.

For this reason, HOMR recommends employing a licensed local handyman for appliance installation projects. Otherwise, you'll limit the handyman work to unloading and moving the appliances.

Can a Dallas Handyman Hang Drywall and Do Interior Painting?

A Dallas handyman cannot hang drywall without a general contractor's license. This is an easy way many Dallas homeowners fail home inspections.

However, if you just need small drywall repair, touch-up, corner taping, or texturing feel free to call a handyman!

There are no licensing restrictions on painting, so go crazy and hire a handyman to paint your new baby nursery.. You shouldn't expect the level of quality a professional painting service provides, but you'll likely pay less!

Featured Partners

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Aledo
Godley
Caddo Mills
North Richland Hills
Ponder
Frisco
Midlothian
Grandview
Lake Worth
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Irving
Poolville
White Rock
Itasca
DeSoto
Valley View
Lancaster
Lone Oak
Springtown
East Fort Worth
Stockyards
Rockwall
Bluffview
Old East Dallas
Southern Methodist University
Millsap
Balch Springs
Roanoke
Oak Cliff
Cockrell Hill
Bridgeport
Downtown Fort Worth
Milford
Ladonia
South Fort Worth
Southwest Dallas
West
Whitt
Yale Park
Northwest Dallas
Willow Bend
Paradise
Nemo
Chico
Red Oak
Wolfe City
Bishop Arts District
Italy
Vickery Meadow
Addison
Sanger
Celina
Cleburne
Perrin
Colleyville
St. Paul
West Dallas
Love Field
Little Elm
Quinlan
West End
Krum
Newark
North Dallas
Hutchins
Nevada
Kessler Park
Lewisville
Design District
Forney
Justin
Denton
Uptown
Anna
Leonard
Lake Dallas
Venus
Wylie
Northrich
North Fort Worth
Alvord
Kemp
Farmers Branch
South
Sunnyvale
Keene
McKinney
Decatur
Lakewood
Terrell
Grapevine
Mineral Wells
Highland Village
Coppell
Murphy
Blue Ridge
Keller
Stemmons Corridor
Ennis
Eagle Mountain

Conclusion

In the proper context, a local Dallas handyman can do great work in and around your home. 

But it's important to understand what handymen are (and aren't) allowed to do in Dallas. Heck, we even learned about a few new building code changes while writing this article.

You don't have to do all the homework yourself. HOMR's dedicated research team lives and works in Dallas — our home maintenance staff works 24/7 to ensure you receive professional service and results.

Join HOMR — $9/month is a small price to pay for the best possible home maintenance experience.\

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Matthew Silkwood
Director Of Sales & Marketing
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This is how long your fence is - measured along the ground.
ft
Number of gates
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Do you want a top cap?
Top caps are 2x4 trim pieces put along the top of the fence
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Board-on-board fences overlap so there are no gaps. Side-by-side use less materials but can be seen through. Learn more
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Explicabo sunt laboriosam rerum. Et qui omnis qui alias error placeat commodi illum possimus. Occaecati corrupti deleniti.
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Estimated total fence cost
$ 1300.00

Don’t be shocked, there are tons of ways to save money on a fence. Chat with our team when you are ready – we are here to help!

If you're looking for a fence contractor in Dallas: read our "who to hire" series where we built a bunch of fences to see who has the best fence for the best price

Estimated Total
$ 12,500.00