Contractors and Repair Shops in Texas
Licensing, written contracts, deposits and estimates for home improvement contractors and auto repair shops in Texas.
Short answer: The Attorney General advises getting several detailed written bids, checking references, insisting on a written contract that states the work, start and completion dates and all promises, and never signing a contract with blanks. Texas Attorney General, How to Avoid Home Improvement Scams
| Home improvement contractors | The Attorney General advises getting several detailed written bids, checking references, insisting on a written contract that states the work, start and completion dates and all promises, and never signing a contract with blanks. The Attorney General notes that some trades, such as electricians, must be licensed by the state, and that the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation licenses and investigates complaints about over twenty types of businesses and occupations. No statewide general home improvement contractor licensing requirement was identified on the pages reviewed. |
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| Auto repair rules | The Attorney General notes that it is illegal to knowingly make false or misleading statements about the need for parts or repairs, to say work was done or parts replaced when that is not true, or to represent used or refurbished parts as new. The Attorney General recommends getting a signed written authorization before a shop tows, inspects, diagnoses or disassembles your car for an estimate, a separate signed authorization before repairs begin, and a work order spelling out the work, fees, completion date and payment terms. These are mostly recommendations; no Texas statute requiring written repair estimates was reviewed. |
Where to get help in Texas
More Texas consumer protection
- The Lemon Law in Texas
- Your Right to Cancel a Purchase in Texas
- Filing a Consumer Complaint in Texas
- All Texas consumer protection rules
FAQ
What are the rules for home improvement contractors in Texas?
The Attorney General advises getting several detailed written bids, checking references, insisting on a written contract that states the work, start and completion dates and all promises, and never signing a contract with blanks. The Attorney General notes that some trades, such as electricians, must be licensed by the state, and that the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation licenses and investigates complaints about over twenty types of businesses and occupations.
What are your rights with an auto repair shop in Texas?
The Attorney General notes that it is illegal to knowingly make false or misleading statements about the need for parts or repairs, to say work was done or parts replaced when that is not true, or to represent used or refurbished parts as new. The Attorney General recommends getting a signed written authorization before a shop tows, inspects, diagnoses or disassembles your car for an estimate, a separate signed authorization before repairs begin, and a work order spelling out the work, fees, completion date and payment terms.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.