Indiana contractor license lookup: how to check and get a license
Indiana contractor license lookup: who issues home improvement contractor licenses (BNS), how to check one online, the license types, and 2,446 residential remodelers by county.
Do home improvement contractors need a license in Indiana?
| Who licenses them | local (city/county); no state general or home improvement contractor license. Indianapolis/Marion County: Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (BNS) |
|---|---|
| License types | General Contractor (Indianapolis BNS) |
| When a license is required | No state license. Indiana's Home Improvement Contracts Act (IC 24-5-11) covers residential improvement contracts over $150: the contractor must give you a completed contract before you sign and must sign it before any down payment can be required. |
Indiana licenses no general or remodeling contractors statewide; cities like Indianapolis license them locally, and Indianapolis requires new general contractors to complete an orientation. Breaking the home improvement contract rules is a deceptive act you or the Indiana Attorney General can pursue.
How do you look up a home improvement contractor's license in Indiana?
- Ask the home improvement contractor for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Indiana contractor license lookup run by BNS.
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the home improvement contractor about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact BNS.
What contractor licenses does Indiana issue?
- General Contractor (Indianapolis BNS)
How do you get a contractor license in Indiana?
Licenses are issued by the local (city/county); no state general or home improvement contractor license. Indianapolis/Marion County: Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (BNS). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official BNS source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
Which Indiana city is the job in?
How many home improvement contractors are there in Indiana?
The Census Bureau counted 2,446 residential remodelers with employees in Indiana in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Marion County | 329 |
|---|---|
| Hamilton County | 172 |
| Allen County | 155 |
| Lake County | 128 |
| St. Joseph County | 83 |
| Johnson County | 77 |
| Vanderburgh County | 73 |
| Elkhart County | 73 |
What do Indiana homes mean for home improvement work?
The median home in Indiana was built in 1976, 30% of households rent and 77% of homes are single-family houses. 59% of homes heat with utility gas and 31% with electricity, and 1% with fuel oil.
How do you choose a home improvement contractor in Indiana?
- Check the contractor's license with the state or city. Many places require a home improvement license for residential work over a few hundred dollars.
- Get a written contract with the scope, materials, schedule, total price and payment schedule. Don't pay most of it upfront.
- Ask who pulls the permits. If the contractor suggests skipping a permit that the job needs, find another contractor.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation, and make sure the policy is current.
- Ask for two or three recent jobs like yours that you can see or call about.
Home Improvement Contractors in other states
Sources: Indiana licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.