Is a fence contractor licensed and insured in Texas?

Why there's no fence license to look up

Texas once required home builders to register with the Texas Residential Construction Commission, but the state abolished that agency in 2009. No state agency licenses general contractors or fence builders today. Some cities keep their own contractor registration. Cleveland's fence permit form, for example, asks whether the contractor's license or ID and liability insurance are on file with the city. When a company says it's licensed, ask which license and who issued it.

The two certificates to ask for

General liability

This covers damage a contractor causes to your property or a neighbor's: an auger through a sprinkler main, ruts across the lawn from equipment, a fence section that falls on a car. Ask for a certificate of insurance and check the company name, the policy dates, and the limits. A certificate sent by the insurance agent is better than a photo from the salesperson, because you know it's current.

Workers' compensation

Texas lets most private employers opt out of workers' comp under Labor Code section 406.002. The state calls an employer without coverage a non-subscriber. Ask whether the company carries workers' comp or is a non-subscriber, and whether the crew on your job are its employees or subcontractors with their own coverage. A worker injured on your property raises questions you'd rather settle in advance, and your homeowners insurer can tell you how your own policy treats that situation.

Gate openers and electrical work

Solar openers need no line power. A wired opener needs line voltage brought to the gate, and in Texas, non-exempt electrical work has to be done by someone licensed through TDLR, working for a licensed electrical contractor. Low-voltage control wiring for keypads and sensors may fall under an exemption. The 120- or 240-volt feed is the part to leave to a licensed electrician. On a long drive near Huntsville or Lake Livingston, ask who will run the power and look for a TDLR license number on the paperwork. Our gate opener guide goes deeper on solar versus wired.

Permits: whose name is on it

If your city requires a permit, ask who applies and whose name goes on it. Skipping one puts the risk on the owner. Willis charges double when work begins ahead of the permit, and Panorama Village inspects each finished fence. The permit guide lists what each city near us has on record.

This page is general information, not legal or insurance advice. For coverage questions, ask your insurance agent. For the rest of what to compare between bids, use our hiring checklist, and commercial owners can see how we handle site requirements on the commercial fencing page.