Who's Actually Swinging the Hammer? Why Your Contractor's Team Matters More Than Their Instagram
The Licensing Gap Nobody Talks About
Texas does not require a general contractor's license.
"Texas does not require a general contractor's license. The person you're about to hand $40,000 to doesn't need a single credential from the state to show up and start demo."
The person you're about to hand $40,000 to doesn't need a license from the state of Texas to demolish and rebuild your kitchen. There are exceptions: electricians and plumbers need trade-specific licenses. But the general contractor who coordinates everything has no licensing requirement at all.
The Houston chapter of NARI estimates that fewer than 20% of active contractors in the Houston metro carry proper insurance, maintain documented training records, and follow established building codes consistently.
What "Licensed and Insured" Should Actually Mean
Every contractor's website says "licensed and insured." In Texas, that phrase is almost meaningless because there's no license to verify and workers' compensation isn't required.
At Craftwork, we carry:
- General Liability Insurance ($2M aggregate): Covers property damage and bodily injury.
- Workers' Compensation Insurance: If a crew member is injured on your property without workers' comp, you can be held liable. We carry it even though Texas doesn't require it.
- Builder's Risk Insurance: Covers the project itself — materials on-site, work in progress, and the structure during renovation.
We hand clients these certificates at the consultation meeting. Before they ask.
Before signing: ask for insurance certificates in writing and call the insurer to verify the policy is active. Ask for trade license numbers for the electrician (TDLR) and plumber (TSBPE) — both are free to verify online.
The People Behind the Process
Project Manager: Single point of contact, maximum of 3 active renovations at a time.
Lead Carpenter: On-site every day. Minimum of 10 years of verified renovation experience in the Houston market.
Trade Specialists: Licensed plumbing, electrical, and HVAC specialists who work with us regularly — not whoever was available on Craigslist.
Houston-Specific Expertise
- Foundation movement: Houston's clay soil expands and contracts dramatically. Every renovation needs to account for potential foundation settling.
- Humidity management: Average humidity runs 75-80%. Moisture-resistant materials aren't a nice-to-have — they're mandatory.
- Code and permitting: Houston's building code has specific requirements that differ from state minimums. Our team pulls permits for every project that requires them.
How to Verify Before You Hire
1. Ask for insurance certificates directly. Call the insurance company to verify the policy is active. 2. Ask who your daily point of contact will be. 3. Ask how many active projects they're running right now. 4. Ask for the license number of their plumber and electrician. Verify at TDLR. 5. Ask how long their lead carpenter has been with them.
The Bottom Line
Your contractor's Instagram grid tells you what their best work looks like when photographed well. Their team tells you what your project will actually look like when nobody's watching.
"Your contractor's Instagram tells you what their best work looks like when photographed well. Their team tells you what your project will look like when nobody's watching."
At Craftwork, we'll introduce you to the actual people who will be in your home — because you deserve to know who's behind the walls before they close them up.
Ready to meet the team that'll build yours? Schedule a walkthrough.