# The Houston Homeowner

> An independent guide to owning a home in Houston and hiring people you can trust to work on it.

Plain-language guides for Houston homeowners: how to check a Texas license, what to ask before you hire, what a fair bid looks like, and the red flags that mean walk away. Coverage: Houston, Texas and Harris County. Every page has a Markdown twin at the same path with a .md suffix.

Independence: The Houston Homeowner is an independent publication. We do not accept payment for placement, rankings, or reviews, and no home service company owns or sponsors this site.

## How to choose, by trade

- [How to choose a plumber in Houston](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/trades/plumber.md): Verify the company's Responsible Master Plumber license at TSBPE, confirm the number on the truck matches, and get the scope and warranty in writing before anyone starts.
- [How to choose an electrician in Houston](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/trades/electrician.md): Verify the electrical contractor license and the master electrician behind it at TDLR, insist on a City of Houston permit for panel, circuit and generator work, and never accept a bid without the scope in writing.
- [How to choose an air conditioning contractor in Houston](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/trades/hvac.md): Verify the TDLR Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor license, require a load calculation before anyone quotes a replacement system, and get the equipment model numbers and permit in writing.
- [How to choose a roofer in Houston](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/trades/roofer.md): Texas issues no roofing license, so the checks are a certificate of insurance sent by the insurer, a City of Houston permit, a manufacturer certification, and a company with a Houston address that existed before the last storm.
- [How to choose a foundation repair company in Houston](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/trades/foundation-repair.md): Texas issues no license for foundation repair, so start with an independent licensed engineer's evaluation, then get bids against that report rather than against each company's own diagnosis.
- [How to choose a general contractor in Houston](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/trades/general-contractor.md): Texas has no general contractor license, so vet the licensed plumber, electrician and HVAC contractor the remodeler will use, confirm the City of Houston permit is in the contractor's name, and sign a written contract before any work starts because Texas lien law on a homestead depends on it.
- [How to choose a home inspector in Houston](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/trades/home-inspector.md): Verify the inspector holds a TREC Professional Inspector license, ask whether they will walk the roof and attic and check the slab and drainage, and add a sewer camera scope on any Houston house built before the 1980s.
- [How to choose a mold remediation company in Houston](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/trades/mold-remediation.md): For mold covering more than 25 contiguous square feet in Texas, hire a TDLR-licensed mold assessor to write the protocol and a separate TDLR-licensed remediation contractor to do the work, and do not pay the final invoice until you have the Certificate of Mold Damage Remediation.
- [How to choose an irrigation company in Houston](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/trades/irrigation.md): In Texas a sprinkler system must be designed and installed under a TCEQ Licensed Irrigator, the backflow preventer must be tested by a TCEQ-licensed tester, and a new system in Houston needs a city permit, so ask for the license number and the permit before anyone digs.
- [How to choose a septic company in Houston](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/trades/septic.md): A septic system in the Houston area must be installed by a TCEQ-licensed On-Site Sewage Facility installer under a permit from the county authority, and an aerobic system needs a licensed maintenance provider, so verify the license at TCEQ and the permit with the county before work starts.
- [How to choose a pest control company in Houston](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/trades/pest-control.md): Verify the company's Texas Department of Agriculture structural pest control license and the applicator's license for the category of work, and for termites get the written treatment disclosure with a diagram before you pay.
- [How to choose a water treatment company in Houston](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/trades/water-treatment.md): In Texas, residential water treatment equipment must be installed by a TCEQ-licensed Water Treatment Specialist, and the plumbing tie-in may also need a licensed plumber, so ask for both license numbers and a water test of your own tap before anyone sells you a system.
- [How to choose a tree service in Houston](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/trades/tree-service.md): Texas has no tree service license, so ask for a certificate of insurance for general liability and workers' compensation sent directly from the insurer, prefer a company with an ISA Certified Arborist on staff, and never let anyone prune an oak between February and June.
- [How to choose a pool builder in Houston](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/trades/pool-builder.md): Texas has no pool builder license, so the checks are a City of Houston pool permit in the builder's name, a TDLR-licensed electrician and a TSBPE-licensed plumber for the connections, insurance sent by the insurer, and a draw schedule where you never pay for a phase before it is built.
- [How to choose a solar installer in Houston](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/trades/solar.md): A solar system in Houston must be wired by a TDLR-licensed electrical contractor under a City of Houston permit and connected through CenterPoint's interconnection process, so verify the electrical license, get the cash price separately from any loan, and never sign at the door.
- [How to choose a drainage and gutter company in Houston](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/trades/drainage-gutters.md): Texas has no drainage or gutter license, so insist on a written plan that shows where the water goes, confirm the design does not push water onto a neighbor, and check with the Houston Permitting Center before anything connects to the street or the storm sewer.
- [How to choose a handyman in Houston](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/trades/handyman.md): Texas has no handyman license, and a handyman is not allowed to do plumbing, electrical or HVAC work that Texas requires a license for, so use one for carpentry, drywall, doors, fences and painting, and call the licensed trade when water, gas, wires or refrigerant are involved.

## Guides

- [How to verify a contractor's license in Texas](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/guides/how-to-verify-a-texas-contractor-license.md): Plumbers are licensed by TSBPE, electricians and HVAC contractors by TDLR, and roofers, foundation companies and general contractors have no Texas license at all. Each lookup takes about a minute.
- [Twelve questions to ask any contractor before you hire them](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/guides/questions-to-ask-before-you-hire.md): Ask about the license, the insurance, the permit, the people, the price structure, the scope, the warranty and the payment schedule. Good companies answer all twelve without hesitating. Bad ones get irritated around question three.
- [How to choose a plumber in Houston: the complete guide](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/guides/how-to-choose-a-plumber-in-houston.md): Look up the Responsible Master Plumber license at TSBPE, confirm the company pulls its own City of Houston permits, compare bids on scope before price, and treat any under-slab or repipe quote made without a camera or leak test as a guess.
- [After the storm: how to avoid contractor scams in Houston](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/guides/after-the-storm-how-to-avoid-contractor-scams.md): Do not sign anything at the door, never let a contractor touch your deductible, keep control of your insurance claim, and verify the license or insurance before any work starts. The companies that are still here next year are the ones to hire.
- [Do I need a permit for that? A Houston homeowner's guide](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/guides/do-i-need-a-permit-houston.md): In Houston, almost any job that touches gas, water supply, drains, wiring, the roof, the foundation or the structure needs a permit, and the licensed contractor pulls it in their own name. Cosmetic work does not. When a contractor offers to skip the permit to save you money, the savings are theirs and the risk is yours.
- [What home repairs cost in Houston: how pricing works and what moves the number](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/guides/what-home-repairs-cost-in-houston.md): Houston home repair prices are driven by slab access, attic heat, permit and inspection costs, and demand spikes after freezes and storms. Most licensed trades quote flat-rate from a price book, charge a trip or diagnostic fee, and land within a predictable range. The only reliable way to know the right number for your house is three written bids on the same scope.
- [How to get three bids and actually compare them](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/guides/how-to-get-and-compare-bids.md): Three bids only help if every bidder prices the same scope. Write the scope down before the first contractor arrives, hand each one the same sheet, and compare the bids line by line on materials, permit, warranty, exclusions and payment schedule, not on the total.
- [Contracts, deposits and mechanic's liens: what Texas homeowners should know](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/guides/contracts-deposits-and-liens-in-texas.md): In Texas, a contractor can only place a mechanic's lien on your homestead if you signed a written contract before the work began, both spouses signed if you are married, and the contract was filed with the county clerk. Subcontractors can still send notices and claim unpaid amounts, so collect lien waivers at every payment.
- [What to do when a contractor does bad work in Houston](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/guides/what-to-do-when-a-contractor-does-bad-work.md): 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.
- [How to read contractor reviews without getting fooled](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/guides/how-to-read-contractor-reviews.md): Read the three-star and two-star reviews first, check how the company replies, and look at when the reviews were posted. A trustworthy Houston contractor usually sits around 4.5 to 4.8 with a steady flow of detailed reviews and calm replies to the bad ones. A flat 5.0 with hundreds of short reviews posted in bursts is a warning, not a credential.
- [Home warranty companies: what they cover and why Houston homeowners complain](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/guides/home-warranty-companies-in-texas.md): A home warranty is a service contract, not insurance. It pays a contractor of its choosing to repair covered systems after you pay a service fee, subject to exclusions for pre-existing conditions, code upgrades and improper installation, and a per-item cap. Texas regulates these companies through TDLR as residential service companies, and that is where complaints go.
- [Slab leaks in Houston: signs, causes, and who to call](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/guides/slab-leaks-in-houston.md): A slab leak is a leaking water or drain pipe under the concrete foundation. In Houston the usual cause is clay soil moving the slab, and the usual signs are a warm floor spot, a jump in the water bill, the sound of running water with everything off, or new foundation movement. A licensed plumber confirms it with a pressure test and electronic leak detection before anyone quotes a repair.
- [How to protect your pipes in a Houston freeze](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/guides/preparing-houston-pipes-for-a-freeze.md): Houston houses are built for heat, so the pipes that burst in a freeze are the ones in the attic, in exterior walls, at hose bibbs and in outdoor tankless heaters. Before a hard freeze, insulate or wrap those lines, drip the faucets farthest from the meter, open the cabinets under sinks, and know where your main shutoff is. If a pipe bursts, shut the main off first and then call a licensed plumber.
- [Hurricane and flood prep: what to do before, during and after](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/guides/hurricane-prep-for-houston-homeowners.md): Before hurricane season, have the roof and trees inspected, photograph every room and the exterior, and confirm whether you have flood coverage, because a standard Texas homeowner policy does not cover rising water. After a storm, deal with safety and power first, then water and drying within 48 hours, then the insurer, then licensed contractors, and never sign with anyone at the door.
- [Houston foundation problems: what is normal, what is not, and when to call an engineer](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/guides/foundation-problems-in-houston.md): Houston foundations move because the clay underneath swells when wet and shrinks when dry, so hairline cracks and doors that stick in August are normal. Cracks that widen, doors that stay stuck, stair-step cracks in brick and separation at the roofline are not. Before you call a repair company, hire an independent licensed professional engineer who does not sell piers, and after any lift, have a plumber test the drain lines.
- [Humidity, mold and your AC: the Houston triangle](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/guides/houston-humidity-mold-and-your-ac.md): In Houston, indoor humidity and mold are usually an air conditioning problem. An oversized AC cools the air fast and shuts off before it pulls the moisture out, leaky ducts pull hot wet attic air into the house, and the result is a cool house at 65 percent humidity where mold grows. The fix starts with a technician who measures airflow, charge and duct leakage, not one who quotes a bigger unit.
- [Sewer line problems in Houston: cast iron, tree roots and what a camera inspection tells you](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/guides/sewer-line-problems-houston.md): Houston sewer lines fail for three main reasons: cast iron drains in houses built before about 1975 that rust from the inside, bellies where the clay soil has let the pipe sag under the slab, and tree roots that find any joint. Repeated backups, gurgling, slow drains in more than one fixture or a sewage smell are reasons for a camera inspection, and no one should quote a repair under the slab without one.
- [Replacing a water heater in Houston: tank vs tankless, permits, and what to expect](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/guides/water-heater-replacement-houston.md): Replacing a water heater in Houston requires a City of Houston plumbing permit and inspection, and the permit is how the city checks the venting, the pan and drain line, the expansion tank and the gas connection. A standard tank lasts about 8 to 12 years here, a tankless 15 to 20 with annual descaling, and a bid that does not list the model, capacity, venting, permit, pan, haul-away and warranty is not a complete bid.

## Questions Houston homeowners ask

- [All questions with short answers](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/questions.md): 50 direct answers, grouped by topic.
- How do I find a good plumber in Houston? Start with the license, not the reviews. Look up the company's Responsible Master Plumber number at the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, confirm it is active and matches the company name, then ask for a written scope that spells out the permit, the materials and the labor warranty before you book.
- How many bids should I get for a home repair in Houston? Three for anything that costs more than a few thousand dollars, such as a roof, an AC system, a repipe or foundation work. One is fine for a small repair when the company is licensed and quotes the price before starting. Compare the bids on scope first and price second, because a bid far below the others has usually left something out.
- Should I use Angi, HomeAdvisor or Thumbtack to find a contractor in Houston? They are lead-generation services, not vetting services. Contractors pay for your contact information, the badges mostly confirm a background check and a business registration rather than a Texas trade license, and your request may go to several companies at once. Use them to build a list if you like, then verify each company's license and insurance yourself.
- Can a handyman do electrical work in Texas? Not legally, beyond very minor work. Texas requires anyone doing electrical work for pay to hold a TDLR electrician license and to work under a licensed electrical contractor, and the exemptions are narrow. Treat anything involving a new circuit, the panel, a generator, an EV charger or new wiring as electrician-only work, and ask for the license number if a handyman offers to do it.
- Is it ok to hire an unlicensed contractor in Texas? For plumbing, electrical and air conditioning work, no. Those trades require a Texas license, and an unlicensed company cannot pull a City of Houston permit, usually carries no insurance, and leaves you no agency to complain to. For trades Texas does not license, such as roofing, painting and general remodeling, there is no license to check, so the test becomes insurance, permits and track record.
- Should I pay a contractor a deposit up front in Texas? A modest deposit on a large job is normal, usually when materials are ordered or delivered, and nothing is normal on a small repair that is paid on completion. Texas does not generally cap contractor deposits, so the contract is your protection. Be wary of a deposit over about a third of the price, a request for full payment before the inspection passes, or a contractor who will only take cash.
- How do I check if a contractor is insured in Texas? Ask for a certificate of insurance sent to you directly by the contractor's insurance agent, not a PDF the contractor forwards. It should show general liability with a current policy period, and it should state whether workers' compensation is carried, because Texas does not require most private employers to carry it. You can call the agent listed on the certificate to confirm the policy is active.
- Does a plumber need a license in Texas? Yes. Texas licenses plumbers statewide through the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners. A plumbing company must have a Responsible Master Plumber on record, the person doing the work must hold a plumber's license or be a registered apprentice working under one, and the license number must appear on the truck, the invoice and the company's advertising.
- Does an electrician need a license in Texas? Yes. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation licenses electricians and electrical contractors. The company needs an Electrical Contractor license with a Master Electrician of record, and the person in your home must be a licensed journeyman or master electrician, or an apprentice working under direct supervision.
- Does an HVAC company need a license in Texas? Yes. Any company that installs, repairs or services air conditioning and heating equipment for pay needs an Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor license, called a TACL, from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and technicians who handle refrigerant need EPA Section 608 certification. The TACL number must be on the truck and the paperwork.
- Do roofers need a license in Texas? No. Texas has no state license for roofing contractors. Voluntary programs exist through the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas and through shingle manufacturers, but the law does not require them, so your protections are a certificate of insurance from the roofer's agent, a City of Houston permit in the roofer's name, and a company with a Houston track record that predates the last storm.
- Does a general contractor need a license in Texas? No. Texas does not license general contractors or remodelers at the state level, and City of Houston contractor registration for permitting is not a competency test. Verify the licensed trades working under the general contractor instead, meaning the plumber, the electrician and the HVAC company, and check the general contractor's insurance, references and years under the same name.
- Does a handyman need a license in Texas? No. Texas has no general handyman license, so a handyman can legally do carpentry, painting, drywall, tile and similar work without one. A handyman cannot do plumbing, electrical or air conditioning work for pay, because those trades require a Texas license regardless of the size of the job, so ask for a trade license number if a handyman offers to replace a water heater or add an outlet.
- Do I need a permit to replace a water heater in Houston? Yes. The City of Houston requires a plumbing permit and inspection for a water heater replacement, and a licensed plumbing company pulls it in its own name. A company that offers to skip the permit, or asks you to pull it as the homeowner, is telling you something about its license.
- Do I need a permit to replace an electrical panel in Houston? Yes. Panel replacements and service upgrades require a City of Houston electrical permit and inspection, and the utility will not energize a new service until the inspection passes. A licensed electrical contractor pulls the permit and coordinates the disconnect and reconnect with the utility.
- What happens if work was done on my house without a permit in Houston? Nothing automatic, but it tends to surface later. Unpermitted work can be flagged by a buyer's inspector, must be disclosed on the Texas seller's disclosure notice if you know about it, can complicate an insurance claim, and may have to be opened up for inspection if the city becomes aware of it. You can usually apply for a permit after the fact through the Houston Permitting Center, and a licensed contractor can bring the work up to code.
- How do I look up a contractor's license in Texas? Plumbers are looked up on the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners site at tsbpe.texas.gov, electricians, HVAC contractors and mold professionals through the TDLR license search at tdlr.texas.gov, and home inspectors through the Texas Real Estate Commission. Search by the license number from the truck or invoice and confirm three things: the license is active, the name matches the company you are dealing with, and the license class covers the work.
- How much does a plumber charge for a service call in Houston? Most Houston plumbing companies charge a trip or diagnostic fee in the range of roughly $50 to $150, often credited toward the repair, and then price the work flat-rate from a book rather than by the hour. Simple repairs typically land in the low hundreds and after-hours calls cost more. Ask for the fee and the flat price before the truck rolls, and get three bids on anything large.
- How much does a water heater replacement cost in Houston? A typical installed tank water heater replacement in Houston runs roughly $1,800 to $4,000 including the permit, and a tankless conversion typically runs $4,000 to $8,000 or more because of gas line and venting changes. The price moves with capacity, the location in the house and code items like expansion tanks and drain pans, so get three written bids that name the model number.
- How much does it cost to replace an AC system in Houston? A typical full system replacement in Houston, meaning the condenser, coil and air handler or furnace, runs roughly $8,000 to $18,000 installed, with high-efficiency and variable-speed equipment above that. The number depends on tonnage, efficiency, ductwork condition and whether the line set is replaced, so compare three bids that list exact model numbers and include the City of Houston permit.
- How much does a new roof cost in Houston? A typical asphalt shingle re-roof on a Houston single-family home runs roughly $10,000 to $25,000 depending on the size, the pitch, decking replacement and the shingle line, and metal or tile costs considerably more. Get three bids that spell out the underlayment, flashing, ventilation, a decking allowance per sheet, disposal and the permit, and do not let the bid be shaped around your insurance deductible.
- How much does foundation repair cost in Houston? Foundation repair in Houston is usually priced per pier, typically a few hundred to over a thousand dollars each depending on the pier type and depth, so a common repair of 10 to 20 piers lands roughly in the $5,000 to $20,000 range before plumbing tests and restoration. Get an independent licensed engineer's report first, then three bids against that same pier plan.
- How much does sewer line replacement cost in Houston? A yard sewer line replacement in Houston typically runs roughly $4,000 to $15,000 depending on length, depth and whether the line can be trenched or has to be bored, and under-slab replacements that require tunneling often cost more. Insist on a camera inspection with a recording before anyone bids, and get three bids against the same footage and method.
- Why do contractor prices go up after a storm in Houston? Demand multiplies within days of a hurricane, flood or freeze, local companies are booked for weeks, and material and labor prices rise with the demand. Texas law prohibits price gouging on necessities during a declared disaster and the Texas Attorney General takes those reports, but a normal premium for emergency work is legal. If the repair can wait a few weeks, prices and availability usually settle.
- How do I know if I have a slab leak in my Houston home? The common signs are a water bill that climbs with no change in use, a warm spot on the floor, the sound of running water when everything is off, damp or lifted flooring, a drop in water pressure, and new cracks in the slab or walls. Confirm it with a licensed plumber who runs a pressure test and electronic leak detection before anyone quotes a repair, because a slab leak price given over the phone is a guess.
- Should I replace polybutylene pipes in my Houston house? Yes, plan on it. Polybutylene supply lines, usually grey and installed roughly 1978 to 1995, become brittle and fail without warning, most plumbers will not guarantee repairs on them, and some insurers will not write or renew a policy on a home that still has them. A whole-house repipe to PEX or copper under a City of Houston plumbing permit is the standard fix.
- How long does a water heater last in Houston? A tank water heater in Houston typically lasts about 8 to 12 years, and a tankless unit often 15 to 20 with annual descaling. Houston's hard water shortens tank life through sediment, so flushing the tank yearly helps. Once a tank passes 10 years, or shows rust in the hot water or moisture around the base, replace it on your schedule rather than after it fails.
- Should I replace a Federal Pacific panel in my Houston home? Yes. Federal Pacific Stab-Lok panels, common in Houston homes built from the 1950s through the 1980s, have a documented history of breakers that fail to trip, and many home inspectors flag them and some insurers decline to cover them. A licensed electrician replaces the panel under a City of Houston electrical permit, and the same advice applies to Zinsco panels.
- Do I need a permit to install a standby generator in Houston? Yes. A standby generator in the City of Houston needs an electrical permit for the transfer switch and wiring and a plumbing permit for the gas line, each pulled by the respective licensed contractor. The inspections matter because a transfer switch wired wrong can back-feed the grid and injure a utility worker.
- Do I need a permit to replace my AC in Houston? Yes. The City of Houston requires a mechanical permit and inspection when a condenser, air handler or furnace is replaced, and for new ductwork, while routine repairs and maintenance do not need one. The licensed HVAC contractor pulls the permit, and its cost should be listed in the bid.
- How often should I service my AC in Houston? Once a year at minimum, in spring before the heat, and twice a year if the same system heats the house in winter. Houston systems run nine months a year, so a visit that checks the refrigerant charge, cleans the coils, clears the condensate drain and tests the capacitor catches most failures before July. Change the filter every one to three months regardless.
- Why is my Houston house humid even with the AC running? The most common cause is an oversized air conditioner that cools the air quickly and shuts off before it has pulled the moisture out. Other causes are a dirty coil, a low refrigerant charge, leaky attic ductwork pulling in humid air, or a blower speed set too high. Ask a licensed HVAC contractor to check the charge and airflow, and if the unit was sized by guess, to run a Manual J load calculation before any replacement.
- Do I need a permit to replace my roof in Houston? Yes, in most cases. The City of Houston requires a building permit for a re-roof, with a final inspection, and the permit should be in the roofing contractor's name rather than yours. Repairs of a few shingles generally do not need one, so ask whether the permit is included in the bid before you sign.
- How do I know if my roof has hail damage? From the ground, look for dented gutters, downspouts, AC fins and window screens, and granules piling up at the downspout outlets. On the roof, hail leaves random round bruises where granules are knocked off and the mat is soft underneath. Before you file a claim, have a roofer you picked yourself, not one who knocked on the door, document the damage with photos, then let your insurer's adjuster inspect; a legitimate roofer will not pressure you to file.
- What are the signs of foundation problems in a Houston home? Doors and windows that stick or no longer latch, diagonal cracks at the corners of door and window openings, stair-step cracks in brick, gaps between walls and ceilings or trim, sloping floors, and separation around the garage door are the usual signs. Houston's clay soil moves with wet and dry cycles, so some seasonal movement is normal, and a licensed independent engineer rather than a repair company's salesperson should decide whether repair is needed.
- Should I water my foundation in Houston? Yes, during dry spells. Houston's clay soil shrinks away from the slab in a drought and swells again when it rains, and that uneven movement is what cracks foundations. A soaker hose placed a foot or two out from the slab, run for a short period a few times a week in dry months, keeps the moisture steady; the goal is even soil moisture around the whole perimeter, not wet soil against the house.
- How do I protect my pipes from freezing in Houston? Before a hard freeze, cover outdoor hose bibbs, disconnect hoses, insulate exposed pipes in the attic and garage, open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls, let a faucet drip, and know where your main water shutoff is. Houston homes often run water lines through unheated attics, which is why the February 2021 freeze burst so many. If the power may go out, keeping water moving matters more than keeping the house warm.
- How do I prepare my house for a hurricane in Houston? Photograph and video the house now, find and read your insurance policy including the windstorm and flood deductibles, clear gutters and drains, trim trees away from the roof, secure or store outdoor items, test the generator and its transfer switch, and know where the water, gas and electrical shutoffs are. Line up a licensed plumber, electrician and roofer you have already vetted, because after the storm you will not have time to.
- Should I hire a roofer who knocks on my door after a storm in Houston? No, not on the spot. Take the card, file your own insurance claim, and get written bids from roofers with a Houston address and a certificate of insurance from their agent. Door-knockers after a hail or wind event are often out-of-state crews who will be gone before the warranty matters, and the ones who push a contingency agreement or an assignment of benefits at the door are taking control of your claim before you know the price.
- Is it legal for a contractor to waive my insurance deductible in Texas? No. Since 2019, Texas law makes it a criminal offense for a contractor to pay, waive, absorb or rebate a homeowner's insurance deductible, and insurers can require proof that you paid it before releasing the final payment on the claim. A roofer who offers to cover your deductible is asking you to take part in insurance fraud.
- What can I do if a contractor will not finish the job in Texas? Put the problem in writing with a deadline, keep every text, photo and payment record, and stop paying for work that is not done. If the contractor still does not return, you can file a complaint with the licensing agency for a licensed trade, report the company to the Texas Attorney General's consumer protection division, and sue in justice court for up to $20,000 without a lawyer. For larger losses, a construction attorney can send a demand under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
- What can I do if a contractor did bad work on my Houston home? Document the defects with photos and a second licensed contractor's written opinion, then give the original contractor written notice and a chance to fix it. The Texas Residential Construction Liability Act requires that written notice at least 60 days before you sue a contractor over a construction defect, and it gives the contractor a right to inspect and make an offer. If the work was permitted, a failed City of Houston inspection is strong evidence, and if the trade is licensed, a complaint to TDLR or TSBPE adds pressure.
- Can a contractor put a lien on my house in Texas? On a Texas homestead, only in limited circumstances. A contractor can lien your homestead for improvements only if there was a written contract, signed by both spouses if you are married, executed before the work began and filed with the county clerk, which is rarely the case on a typical repair job. Contractors threaten liens more often than they can file them, but take any lien notice seriously and have a real estate attorney review it, because even an invalid lien has to be removed.
- How do I file a complaint against a contractor in Texas? It depends on the trade. Complaints about plumbers go to the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, complaints about electricians, HVAC contractors and mold professionals go to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and complaints about home inspectors go to the Texas Real Estate Commission, each through an online form. For unlicensed trades such as roofing and general contracting, file with the Texas Attorney General's consumer protection division and the Better Business Bureau, and consider justice court for the money.
- Should I get a sewer scope when buying a house in Houston? Yes, on any Houston house built before about 1980 and on any house with large trees near the sewer line. A standard home inspection does not include a camera inspection of the drain lines, cast iron drains from that era rust from the inside, and an under-slab repair can run well over ten thousand dollars. A sewer scope typically costs a few hundred dollars and gives you something to negotiate with, or walk away from, during the option period.
- What does a home inspection cover in Texas, and do I need one? Get one. Texas licenses home inspectors through the Texas Real Estate Commission, and a TREC inspection covers the structure, roof, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and appliances on a standard report form, but it is visual and does not include a sewer camera, an engineer's foundation evaluation, a mold assessment or a termite inspection. In Houston, add a sewer scope and a termite inspection, and get an engineer's report if the inspector notes foundation movement.
- Does a foundation repair warranty transfer to the new owner in Texas? Often, but only if the warranty says so and the transfer is done properly. Many Houston foundation companies offer a transferable lifetime warranty, but some require written notice within a set time after closing, a transfer fee or an inspection, and the warranty is only as good as the company still being in business. Ask the seller for the original contract and the engineer's report, and contact the company before closing to confirm what transfers.
- Does a septic installer need a license in Texas? Yes. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality licenses on-site sewage facility installers, designers and maintenance providers, and a new or replaced septic system needs a permit from the local authorized agent, which for unincorporated Harris County is Harris County Public Health. Aerobic systems also require an ongoing maintenance contract in most counties, so ask who holds yours.
- Do I need a licensed company for termite treatment in Texas? Yes. In Texas, any company that treats termites or other pests for pay must be licensed by the Texas Department of Agriculture's Structural Pest Control Service, and the technician must be a licensed or certified applicator. Houston's subterranean termites make an annual inspection worthwhile, and a termite inspection with a wood-destroying insect report is standard when buying a house.
- What is the difference between a mold assessor and a mold remediator in Texas? A mold assessor inspects, samples and writes the remediation protocol; a mold remediator does the cleanup. Texas licenses both through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and requires the assessor and the remediator on the same project to be independent of each other, so a company that offers to test and clean up in one visit is a red flag. Jobs under 25 contiguous square feet of mold are exempt from the licensing rules.

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- [How we vet](https://thehoustonhomeowner.com/how-we-vet.md): the five checks we apply to every provider and every trade.