The 10 Best Austin, TX General Contractors

You are never required to hire a licensed general contractor in Austin, as the state of Texas does not license general contractors. However, certain types of specialty contractors (e.g. HVAC, electrical) need to be licensed in Austin.

Unlike in many cities and states, general contractors in Austin are not licensed or registered, and therefore not required to pass an examination, prove relevant education or skills, or pass a background check.

Although state law does not require contractors to carry general liability or workers' compensation insurance, hiring contractors who do have an active policy of each insurance is highly recommended. Request a copy of each insurance certificate for your records before any work begins.

In general, building permits are required in Austin for all new construction, enlargements, alterations, major repairs, improvements, conversions, and demolition. Permits are also necessary to move a structure and to convert its use. If you build without a permit when one is required, you may be subject to a citation, increased permit fees, the removal of such work, problems selling your home in the future and the risk that homeowners insurance won’t cover issues that occur as a result of non-permitted construction. If you are unsure whether your project requires a building permit, you should contact Austin’s Development Service Center at 512.978.4000.

The Austin Department of Development Services, Service Center is responsible for issuing permits and ensuring project compliance with all applicable codes and ordinances. At the outset of your project, you and your contractor should determine whom will be responsible for the permitting process. The party that obtains the permit is ultimately held responsible for any work that violates city code. The Department of Development Services provides a variety of services to guide you through the permitting process. These include consultation with Service Center staff at the start of project planning, in addition to a variety of methods for obtaining a building permit. More details are available on the Department of Development Services website.

General contractors in Austin are not required to have a surety bond to conduct work on residential properties. And homeowners do not have financial recourse through a homeowner recovery fund in Texas. If your contractor fails to pay the employees or suppliers he uses, you could be held financially responsible under Texas law. If your project is over $5,000, the contractor is required to put the money you pay him into a construction account at a financial institution, such as a bank. If possible, include in your contract that you will have access to this account.

The BuildZoom score is based on a number of factors including building permit data, gathered from the Austin Department of Development Services; and feedback and behavior we have observed in the BuildZoom marketplace and in other, third-party review sites.

We have analyzed every contractor who has worked in Austin, Texas. Using this information, we’re able to save you time, money and lessen your risk by providing you with a simple and straight-forward way to gather and receive multiple bids from vetted general contractors in Austin. Click here to get started by providing us with a few details about your project.