What to do when a contractor does bad work in Houston
Published October 4, 2026
Document the problem, send a written demand that gives the contractor a set time to fix it, then escalate in order: the state licensing agency for that trade, the Texas Attorney General, and justice court for claims up to $20,000. Texas consumer law requires 60 days' written notice before you sue, so the demand letter is not optional.
Most contractor disputes end at step two or three. The ladder below goes in order because each step is cheaper than the next and because the later steps usually require that you took the earlier ones. This is general information, not legal advice. For anything over a few thousand dollars, a consultation with a Texas construction attorney is worth the hour.
1. Stop and document
Before you call anyone, build the record.
- Photos and video of the problem, with dates. Wide shots for context, close-ups for detail.
- The contract, every change order, every invoice, every receipt and every payment record.
- Every text, email and voicemail. Screenshot texts with the date visible.
- The permit number and inspection results, if any. If there was no permit when one was required, note that.
- A second opinion in writing from another licensed contractor describing what is wrong and what it costs to fix. Pay for it. A written opinion from a licensed competitor is the strongest evidence you will have.
Do not fix the problem yet unless it is an emergency. Once the work is corrected, the evidence is gone. If you must act to stop damage, photograph everything first.
2. Send a written demand
Call first if you want. Then write. A demand letter does three things: it states the problem, it says what you want, and it sets a deadline.
Keep it short and factual. Name the contract date and the scope. Describe what is wrong. Attach photos and the second opinion. State what you want: repair by a certain date, a refund of a certain amount, or reimbursement for the cost to fix. Give a reasonable deadline, often 14 to 30 days. Send it by certified mail with return receipt and by email.
Texas law makes this letter more than a courtesy. The Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act requires written notice of the specific complaint and the amount claimed at least 60 days before you file suit. Texas construction defect law also gives contractors a right to inspect the problem and offer a repair before you sue. Your demand letter starts both clocks.
3. Give them a chance to cure
If the contractor offers to come back and fix it, let them, with conditions. Get the fix in writing. Set a date. Be present or have someone present. Have the second-opinion contractor look at the result if the stakes are high. Many contractors do bad work out of carelessness, not fraud, and will fix it when confronted with photos and a letter.
If the contractor ignores the letter, refuses, or makes the problem worse, move to step four.
4. Complain to the licensing agency
File with the state agency that licenses the trade. Agencies can investigate, fine, suspend or revoke licenses. A complaint on the record also helps the next homeowner.
| Trade | Agency |
|---|---|
| Plumber | Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) |
| Electrician | Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) |
| Air conditioning and heating | TDLR |
| Irrigator, septic installer | Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) |
| Pest control | Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) |
| Home inspector | Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) |
| Home warranty company | TDLR |
| Roofer, foundation repair, general contractor, handyman | No state license. Use the steps below. |
If the work was done without a required permit, also report it to the Houston Permitting Center or your local permit office. An inspector may order the work corrected.
The agency will not get your money back. It is a pressure point and a public record.
5. The Texas Attorney General and the BBB
The Texas Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division accepts complaints online. It does not represent individuals, but patterns of complaints lead to investigations.
The Better Business Bureau has no legal power. Some contractors will resolve a complaint to protect their rating. It costs nothing to file.
6. The Texas DTPA
The Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act covers false or misleading statements, failure to disclose, and unconscionable conduct in consumer transactions, which includes most home repair work. It can allow recovery of your actual damages, in some cases additional damages for knowing conduct, and attorney’s fees.
The 60-day written notice is required before you file. If you send the demand letter in step two with the specific complaint and the dollar amount, you have usually satisfied it. The contractor can respond with a settlement offer within that window, and a reasonable offer you reject can limit what you recover later. Take offers seriously.
7. Justice court
Texas justice courts, often called small claims courts, hear cases up to $20,000. You file in the precinct where the work was done or where the contractor is. Filing fees are modest. You do not need a lawyer and the rules are simpler than district court.
Bring the file from step one. The contract, the photos, the second opinion, the demand letter and the certified mail receipt. Most cases are decided on that record.
A judgment is a piece of paper. Collecting on it is a separate effort, which is one reason to check for a real office and insurance before you hire.
8. When to hire a lawyer
Hire a lawyer when the damages exceed $20,000, when there is structural damage or a safety hazard, when the contractor has a lawyer, or when the contractor has filed or threatened a lien. Many Texas construction attorneys offer a flat-fee consultation. The DTPA’s attorney fee provision means that on a strong case a lawyer may take it on terms you can afford.
9. The contractor’s insurance
If the contractor’s work damaged your property, such as a leak that ruined floors or a fire from bad wiring, you may be able to claim against their general liability policy. Ask for the certificate of insurance, which you should have collected before hiring, and contact the carrier directly. Liability policies generally cover resulting damage to your property. They often exclude the cost of redoing the contractor’s own faulty work. The insurer will investigate and may pay you directly.
Your own homeowner’s policy may cover sudden damage even when a contractor caused it, and your insurer can then pursue the contractor. Call your agent.
Documentation, a certified letter and a credible second opinion resolve most disputes before anyone sees a courtroom.
Frequently asked
Who do I complain to about a bad plumber in Texas?
The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) licenses plumbers and takes complaints online. For electricians and HVAC contractors it is the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Roofers, foundation companies and general contractors have no Texas licensing agency, so your options are the Attorney General, the BBB and the courts.
How much can I sue for in Texas small claims court?
Justice court in Texas handles claims up to $20,000, not counting court costs. You do not need a lawyer. Filing fees are modest and the case is heard in the precinct where the work was done or where the contractor is located.
Do I have to give the contractor a chance to fix it?
In most cases, yes, and it is the smart move anyway. Texas consumer law requires a written notice at least 60 days before filing suit, and Texas construction defect law gives the contractor a right to inspect and offer a repair. A judge will ask whether you let them try.