Working construction in Houston means satisfying three gatekeepers before the work even starts: the permit office, the GC or property owner demanding certificates, and Texas’s licensing rules. Here’s what Houston contractors carry and how to get it fast. Get multiple quotes within minutes.

What Houston contractors need

• General liability — $1M/$2M is the standard ask on Houston contracts, leases, and permits
• Workers’ compensation — optional under Texas law, but GCs and project owners almost always require it by contract
• Commercial auto — work trucks and trailers need commercial coverage, not personal auto
• Tools & equipment — jobsite theft is a real Houston exposure; cover the gear in transit and overnight
• Umbrella — for GCs, municipal work, and contracts demanding higher limits

Houston licensing, permits & COIs

Houston permits run through Houston Permitting Center, and trade licenses (plumbing via TSBPE, electrical and HVAC via TDLR) are state-issued — there’s no statewide GC license, so the certificate of insurance does the heavy lifting on nearly every commercial job. Hurricane exposure also makes builder’s risk and tools coverage smart money here.

Trades we insure across Houston

Plumbers, Electricians, HVAC, General contractors, Carpenters, Landscapers — and every other trade we cover. Metro pricing reflects the size and pace of the Houston construction market — from energy-sector work to relentless residential growth, which is why comparing several carriers matters more here than almost anywhere in Texas.

Frequently asked questions

Do Houston contractors need workers’ comp?

Texas is the one state where workers’ comp is optional — but in practice most general contractors and project owners require subcontractors to carry it before setting foot on site, so working contractors in the metro effectively need coverage.

Can I get a certificate of insurance the same day in Houston?

Usually yes — most policies we place can issue certificates naming your GC, landlord, or the city as additional insured the day you bind coverage.

More for Houston contractors: the Texas contractor insurance hub, and for the comp deep dive our sister site’s workers’ comp guide for Houston. Get multiple quotes within minutes.