Guide
Before you hire an HVAC contractor
Texas licenses air conditioning and heating contractors at the state level, and Garland adds its own registration. A few minutes with the public lookups tells you who you are dealing with.
How Texas licenses this work
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation says contractors who install, repair or maintain air conditioning, refrigeration or heating systems need a TDLR license, and every company must employ a licensed contractor at each permanent location (TDLR). Under Occupations Code section 1302.251, a license issued by the state is good in every Texas city (statute).
There are two contractor classes in section 1302.253. Class A covers systems of any size. Class B covers systems up to 25 tons of cooling and 1.5 million BTU per hour of heating, which takes in ordinary houses.
The people doing the hands-on work must, at a minimum, be registered with TDLR as air conditioning and refrigeration technicians (TDLR FAQ).
Four checks that take ten minutes
Get the license number
Texas rule requires contracting companies to include their licensee's number in advertising and on every proposal and invoice. Ask for it on the phone.
Look it up
Search the number or company on the TDLR license search and confirm it is active and matches the company name.
Ask about city registration
Garland requires mechanical contractors to be state-licensed and registered with the city's Building Inspection department (city page).
Ask who pulls the permit
On replacements and many repairs, the city expects a permit. The contractor should say plainly who applies for it.
What the paperwork should show
Rule 16 TAC 75.71 (text) spells out the basics. Proposals and invoices carry the company name, address and phone number and the license number of the affiliated licensee. An invoice is required for all air conditioning and refrigeration work. Company vehicles show the license number and company name in letters at least two inches high.
- A written scope: what is repaired or replaced, with model numbers.
- The refrigerant and whether any is added.
- Who handles the city permit and inspection.
- Warranty terms for parts and labor, in writing.
Questions worth asking on the call
How long has the company held its TDLR license, and under which class? Will the person arriving be a licensed contractor or a registered technician working under one? Is the diagnostic visit charged separately from the repair? Will they put a replacement recommendation in writing with the reasons?
Common questions
Does a homeowner need a license to work on their own system?
Texas exempts a person working on a building they alone own and use as their residence (section 1302.053). Garland adds conditions: homestead is verified with the Dallas Central Appraisal District, and refrigerant recovery still needs a licensed contractor.
Where do I complain about a contractor?
TDLR regulates air conditioning and refrigeration licensees, so a complaint about licensed work goes to the department. Keep the proposal, invoice and any photos.
Talk it over with an independent HVAC contractor
Say what the equipment is doing and where it sits in the house. The contractor on the call can tell you what a visit would involve and whether the work needs a city permit.