Contractor Insurance in Dallas, Texas

Contractor insurance in Dallas and DFW: general liability, workers' comp and City of Dallas registration for general contractors, electricians, painters and remodelers.

INSURANCE TIPS

11/10/20264 min read

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Whether you remodel homes in Oak Cliff, paint in Plano or build new homes in Frisco and McKinney, your insurance has two jobs. It helps you meet city requirements to pull permits, and it gets you onto jobs where the general contractor wants proof of coverage before you start. Here is what contractors in Dallas and the Dallas–Fort Worth area need.

Step 1: Permits and registration in Dallas

Texas has no state license for general contractors, painters or carpenters, but the City of Dallas does require registration before you pull permits:

General contractors: annual registration with the City of Dallas Building Inspection division, with a $120 yearly fee.
Electricians, plumbers and HVAC: a state trade license (TDLR or the plumbing board) registered with the city; the registration expires when the state license does.
Fort Worth, Plano, Irving and other cities: each city runs its own registration and insurance requirements.

We prepare the certificate of insurance each city asks for and track your renewal dates.

Step 2: Meet what general contractors ask for

Most Dallas builders and general contractors ask their subs for:

General Liability of $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate
Additional insured status for the GC (and often the owner)
Waiver of subrogation and primary/non-contributory wording
Proof of Workers' Compensation, even though Texas doesn't require it

We quote both minimum and contract-ready limits so you can compare the cost of each.

Step 3: Workers' comp insurance in Dallas

Texas is the only state where most private employers can choose not to carry workers' comp. Without it you lose key legal defenses if an injured worker sues, and you must notify the state and your employees. Most Dallas–Fort Worth builders require it before you step on site, and on public projects every subcontractor must carry it. We shop private carriers, with Texas Mutual as a backstop for trades others won't write.

Step 4: The coverage that protects your trucks and tools

Commercial Auto. Your personal policy may not cover an accident while driving for work on I-35E, I-30, 635 or the Dallas North Tollway.
Tools & Equipment (inland marine). Covers theft of your generator, compressor and tools from the job site or your truck.
Builders Risk. Protects the structure and materials during construction, including hail: North Texas gets some of the worst hailstorms in the country.

Contractor insurance by trade in Dallas

General contractor insurance in Dallas

As a general contractor you answer for everything on the job, including your subs' work. You need general liability with completed operations, because a leak or crack claim can show up years later, and on North Texas clay soils foundation claims are common. Builders risk during construction and certificates from every sub, with you as additional insured, round it out.

Electrical contractor insurance in Dallas

Electricians need a TDLR license registered with the city and general liability that meets state minimums and what each builder asks for. With the growth in Frisco, McKinney and Prosper there is plenty of new residential work; we quote general liability and workers' comp for your helpers and apprentices.

Pricing: General Liability for Texas electricians from $700 a year (about $58 a month).

Painting contractor insurance in Dallas

Painters need general liability that covers damage to customer property, like paint on floors, furniture or the neighbor's car from overspray. If you have helpers, workers' comp protects your crew on ladders and scaffolding. In pre-1978 homes, the EPA requires lead-safe certification.

Pricing: General Liability for Texas painters from $750 a year (about $63 a month).

Remodeling contractor insurance in Dallas

Kitchen, bath, flooring and drywall work needs general liability with completed operations, so you stay covered after the job is done, plus the certificates owners and property managers ask for.

Pricing: General Liability for interior carpentry and finish work from $1,000 a year (about $83 a month).

Other trades

Landscaping and irrigation: general liability, Commercial Auto for trailers and equipment, and certificates for HOAs. Texas requires a TCEQ-licensed irrigator to install irrigation.
Trucking and hauling: Commercial Auto for work trucks, dump trucks and hot shot rigs.
Roofers: we work with carriers that want roofing. See Texas roofing contractor insurance.
Excavation and concrete: general liability with XCU coverage and equipment. See Texas excavation contractor insurance.

These starting prices are for a new or small business with no prior claims; your actual price depends on your work, limits, employees, payroll and experience. Pricing updated November 2026.

Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano and the Whole DFW Area

We work with contractors across Dallas–Fort Worth: Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, Irving, Garland, Grand Prairie, Mesquite, Frisco, McKinney, Carrollton and Denton. Each city runs its own permit process, but builders ask for the same things: $1M/$2M general liability, additional insured status and proof of workers' comp. We send the certificate the same day.

Get covered in Dallas

Hard Hat Insurance is the marketing division of Bearstar Insurance Services, licensed in Texas (#2964780). Get a free quote or call (949) 868-7350. Se habla español.

Contact

(949) 868-7350

Email

Call

info@hardhatinsurance.net

Hard Hat Insurance is a specialized marketing division of Bearstar Insurance Services.
Insurance services provided by Bearstar Insurance Services.
Jesus Galvan is a licensed insurance broker in CA, ID, NV, OR, TX and WA, serving contractors in AZ, CO and across the western U.S. California License #4291921.
Other license numbers available upon request. Coverage availability varies by state.

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