Should I always get three quotes for home repair work?

For non-emergency, larger jobs, yes — three written quotes give you a real sense of the market. For emergencies (water damage, no power, no AC in summer), one fast, licensed and insured pro is more important than shopping around.

What's the biggest red flag when hiring a contractor in Texas?

A contractor who asks for a large cash deposit up front, refuses to provide a license number or proof of insurance, or pressures you to sign the same day. Walk away from any of those.

Hiring · Updated April 2026

How to find a licensed contractor in Texas (without getting burned)

You don't need to be a construction expert to hire a good contractor in Texas. You need a 10-minute checklist, a few free websites, and the confidence to walk away if something feels off. This guide gives you all three.

1. Know which trades require a Texas state license

Texas does not license general "home improvement contractors" the way some states do. But the trades that do most of the dangerous work — the ones that can flood, electrocute, or burn down your house — arelicensed. Before any quote is signed, confirm a state license exists for the actual work being done:

Plumbing — Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE)
HVAC / air conditioning — Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
Electrical — TDLR Electrical Program
Roofing — Not state-licensed, but reputable roofers carry general liability and workers' comp; many register with the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT)
General remodeling — Not state-licensed; rely on city permits, insurance, and references

Each state license has a public lookup. Type the contractor's name or license number, and you'll see whether the license is active, expired, suspended, or doesn't exist. If a plumber, electrician, or HVAC tech can't produce a license number, the conversation is over.

2. Ask for a Certificate of Insurance — the actual document

Every legitimate contractor carries general liability insurance, and any contractor with employees carries workers' compensation. "I'm insured" on the phone is not enough. Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI), which their insurer will email directly to you. Look at three things:

The policy is active — the date range covers the job.
The general liability limit is at least $1 million per occurrence.
Workers' comp is included if the contractor has employees on your property. Without it, you may be liable if a worker is injured at your home.

3. The four questions to ask before signing anything

What does the written scope cover, line by line? Materials, labor, debris removal, and code-compliance work should each be listed.
Who pulls the permit? The licensed contractor pulls the permit. If they ask the homeowner to pull it "to save money," that's usually because they don't qualify.
What's the payment schedule? Texas does not cap deposits, but a deposit larger than 10–25% of the contract for material-light jobs is unusual. Phased payments tied to milestones protect both sides.
What's the warranty? A real contractor will warranty their labor for at least one year and pass through manufacturer warranties on equipment. Get it in writing.

4. Red flags that should end the call

Cash-only. A licensed business takes checks or cards. Cash-only often means no insurance, no warranty, and no recourse.
No physical address or local phone. Storm-chasers from out of state appear after hailstorms and disappear with deposits. A real Texas contractor has a local presence you can verify.
"Sign today or the price goes up." High-pressure closing is a sales tactic, not a fair business practice.
The license number doesn't match the trade. Some "contractors" carry one license type and quote work in a totally different trade.
No written contract. Even small jobs deserve a one-page scope. Verbal agreements are unenforceable in practice.

5. Where to find one fast — without losing a weekend

Three paths work in Texas: a referral from a neighbor who used the contractor for the same trade, a state-license lookup followed by calling three businesses, or an instant-callback service like Hire Contractors Texas where one licensed local pro calls you back after a short form. Whichever route you choose, run the same checklist before signing.

6. The 10-minute pre-hire checklist

State license verified on TDLR or TSBPE — active
Certificate of Insurance received and dates checked
Written scope with line-item materials and labor
Permit ownership confirmed (contractor pulls it)
Payment schedule with milestones, deposit ≤ ~25% for service work
Warranty in writing — at least 1 year on labor
Two references from the past 6 months in the same trade
No high-pressure closing, no cash-only demands

Run this list and the worst contractors filter themselves out before they ever start the work.

FAQ

Do all contractors in Texas need a license?

Not all. Texas licenses electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, and a few specialty trades at the state level. General remodeling contractors are not licensed by the state — but cities still require permits and inspections. Always confirm the specific trade you're hiring for.

How do I check a contractor's Texas license?

Use TDLR's public lookup for HVAC and electricians and TSBPE for plumbers. Search by license number or business name and verify the license is active and matches the trade.

Should I always get three quotes?

For larger non-emergency jobs, yes. For emergencies — water in the slab, no AC in August — speed and a verified license matter more than shopping around.

What's the biggest red flag?

A contractor who refuses to share a license number or COI, demands a large cash deposit, or pressures you to sign the same day. Any one of those is enough to walk.