The post-storm contractor scam cycle in DFW is predictable: hail hits, 500 "roofing companies" appear overnight, half of them vanish with your deposit.
How to vet ANY contractor in Texas:
- Check TDLR (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation):
- tdlr.texas.gov — search by license number or name
- Verify their license is active and not expired
- Check for complaints and disciplinary actions
- Check BBB (Better Business Bureau):
- bbb.org — search the business name
- Look at complaint history, not the rating. The rating can be bought.
- Check Texas Secretary of State:
- sos.state.tx.us — verify the business entity exists and is in good standing
- Verify insurance:
- Ask for Certificate of Insurance (COI)
- Call the insurance company to confirm it's active
- No insurance = you're liable if a worker gets hurt on your property
- Never pay more than 10% upfront. Texas has no specific statute limiting deposits, but the Texas AG Consumer Protection Division recommends never paying more than 1/3 upfront, and 10% is better.
What to do if you've been scammed:
- File a complaint with TDLR: tdlr.texas.gov/complaints
- File with Texas AG: texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection
- File with BBB: bbb.org/file-a-complaint
- Small claims court for amounts under $20,000 (Justice Court)
- If they took money and did no work, file a police report for theft of services (Texas Penal Code 31.04)
RECEIPTS REQUIRED: If sharing a contractor horror story, include the business name, TDLR lookup result, BBB complaint status, and documentation of what happened. Claims without evidence help no one.
Sources:
- TDLR — Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (tdlr.texas.gov)
- BBB — Better Business Bureau (bbb.org)
- Texas AG — Consumer Protection Division
- Texas Penal Code 31.04 — Theft of Service
Get everything in writing. Every conversation. Every promise. Every change order.
Drop your take below.