Renovation Contractors in Texas

Renovation in Texas: what to know

Renovating an older Texas home is often as much about what you find behind the walls as what you set out to change. Because much of the state — including the clay belts under Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, and the I-35 corridor — sits on expansive soil that swells and shrinks with wet and dry cycles, older houses commonly show foundation movement, along with dated wiring and plumbing that a renovation has to bring up to current code. Texas has no statewide general-contractor or home-builder license, and permits and inspections are handled city by city, so who you hire and how the work is documented carry a lot of weight.

What affects the cost

• Scope and structural surprises — foundation movement, wood rot, termite damage, or out-of-square framing that only appear once walls are opened (older homes rarely match the original plans).
• Bringing older systems up to current code: aluminum or knob-and-tube wiring, cast-iron, galvanized, or polybutylene plumbing, and undersized electrical panels often have to be replaced.
• Whether the layout changes — moving or removing walls, especially load-bearing ones — versus renovating within the existing footprint.
• Hazardous materials common in older houses: lead paint and asbestos (in flooring, 'popcorn' ceilings, or insulation) require testing and certified handling.
• Permits, inspections, and how many separate trades have to be coordinated and scheduled in the right order.
• Finish level and the need to match existing materials (trim, flooring, brick) that may no longer be manufactured.

How to choose a Renovation contractor

• Because Texas has no state license for general contractors or remodelers, lean on references, past older-home projects, and a detailed written contract and scope.
• Verify that each sub-trade is state-licensed: plumbers through the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE), and electricians and HVAC (ACR license) through TDLR — and ask who is pulling the permits.
• Confirm the contractor pulls the required city permits and schedules the inspections — unpermitted work can cause problems when you sell.
• Ask for proof of general liability insurance (and workers' compensation) and get the certificate.
• For homes built before 1978, ask about EPA Lead-Safe (RRP) certification and how they will test for and handle lead paint and asbestos.