A step-by-step vetting checklist for Texas homeowners — how to verify licenses, insurance, and portfolio quality before signing with any kitchen renovation contractor or bathroom remodeler.
Texas is one of the fastest-growing remodeling markets in the country — which means more choice, but also more unlicensed operators. Because the state doesn't require a general remodeling license, the burden of vetting falls on you as the homeowner. The good news: a two-hour vetting process up front can save six-figure headaches later. This guide walks through exactly what to check before you sign a contract with any kitchen remodel contractor, bathroom remodeler, or full-home renovation team in Texas.
Use this before signing any contract. Any professional kitchen renovation contractor will welcome these questions.
Texas doesn't require a general remodeling license, but specialty trades do. Confirm plumbers are licensed with the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE), electricians with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), and HVAC contractors with TDLR. Ask for license numbers and verify them online.
Require a Certificate of Insurance showing general liability (minimum $1M) and workers' compensation. Ask that your name be added as the certificate holder so you're notified if coverage lapses mid-project.
Ask for 5+ recent Texas kitchen or bathroom projects with photos, budgets, and timelines. Look for consistency in trim, tile layout, and finish carpentry — those details separate a true kitchen renovation contractor from a general handyman.
A professional kitchen remodel contractor provides a line-item scope of work, allowances for finishes, and a payment schedule tied to milestones — never a lump-sum deposit over 10%.
Call 3 past clients. Ask about communication, change-order handling, and whether the final cost matched the estimate. Cross-check Google, Houzz, and BBB reviews for patterns.
Door-to-door solicitations, unusually low bids, cash-only demands, no physical office, and refusal to pull permits are the four biggest warning signs in the Texas remodeling market.
Copy this list into your phone before your first meeting.
Are you licensed for the trades required on my project, and can I see the license numbers?
Can I see your current Certificate of Insurance with liability and workers' comp?
Who will pull the permits — you or a subcontractor?
Which team members will be on-site daily, and who is my point of contact?
How do you handle change orders and unexpected conditions?
What is your payment schedule, and what triggers each draw?
Do you provide a written warranty on labor? For how long?
Can I visit an active job site to see how your crews work?
Texas doesn't issue a statewide general contractor license, but the plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and gas work inside a kitchen remodel must be performed by state-licensed trades. Always confirm your contractor uses licensed subs and pulls the required municipal permits.
A reasonable deposit in Texas is 10% or less of the total contract, with remaining payments tied to milestones (demo complete, cabinets installed, final punch list). Avoid contractors demanding 30–50% upfront.
Most full kitchen remodels in Texas run 6–10 weeks from demo to final walk-through, assuming cabinetry is ordered before demo starts. Custom cabinetry can add 4–8 weeks to the front end.
Confirm licensing, insurance, permit responsibility, payment schedule, warranty terms, change-order process, and daily point of contact. Get every promise in writing inside the contract — verbal agreements don't hold up if a dispute arises.
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