General Contracting contractors in
Arlington, Texas.
A public directory of general contracting contractor businesses serving greater Arlington. Market data, licensing requirements, and cost benchmarks — updated continuously from public sources.
General Contracting jobs in Arlington
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Common Job Costs
Licensing Requirements
Licensing Requirements
Texas requires General Contractors to be licensed by TDLR (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation). License types: Unrestricted (A, B, C) based on contract value limits. Type A: no limit; Type B: $250,000 limit; Type C: $100,000 limit. Requirements: 4 years documented construction experience (or 2 years if holding trade license), pass NASCLA General Contractor exam (minimum 70%), prove financial responsibility. Renewal every 2 years; continuing education not required but strongly recommended.
Permit Requirements
City of Arlington requires building permits for all new construction and major renovations exceeding $5,000. Electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and structural work requires separate trade permits. Plan review typically 5-10 business days. Contractor must be licensed to pull permits. Zoning verification and HOA approval may be required. Storm water management and environmental review for projects over 1 acre.
Inspection Schedule
Minimum three inspections: (1) Foundation/framing - before closing walls; (2) Rough-in mechanical/electrical/plumbing - before drywall; (3) Final inspection - after substantial completion. Complex projects may require additional inspections. City of Arlington typically schedules within 2-3 business days of request. Inspection failures delay project; re-inspection fees apply.
Insurance Minimums
Texas law requires minimum $300,000 general liability per occurrence and $300,000 aggregate for residential projects under $250,000 contract value. $500,000 per occurrence/$1,000,000 aggregate for larger projects. Workers compensation mandatory if employing any workers. Bonding ($15,000-$50,000) required depending on license type and contract volume.
Compliance research unavailable
Source status: unavailable · 7/18/2026
Detailed instructions are withheld because the source is not available for verification.
Local market snapshot
Source: DoorBase, aggregated public ZIP-level data. Updated 8/17/2026.
How to Get Licensed
Document Your 4 Years of Experience
Gather proof of 4 years (8,000+ hours) working in construction—payroll records, timecards, W-2s, invoices, photos of projects you managed or worked on. TDLR audits this heavily. If you're coming from another state, get a letter from past employers or clients. Keep originals; you'll submit copies with your application. This step takes 2-4 weeks to compile properly.
Register with TDLR and Pay Application Fee
Go to www.tdlr.texas.gov, create an account, and file a GC license application. Choose your license type (A, B, or C). Pay the application fee (~$370). Upload scans of your experience documentation, ID, and proof of financial responsibility. TDLR reviews and either approves your application for exam or requests more documentation. This step takes 1-2 weeks.
Pass the NASCLA General Contractor Exam
Register with NASCLA (North American Standard of Contractor's Licensing) for the exam. Cost is ~$150-200. Study materials are available through NASCLA and third-party prep companies. The exam covers contract law, safety, project management, building codes, and estimating. Minimum score: 70%. You can test at a Pearson Vue center in Arlington or Dallas. Most people pass within 1-2 attempts. Schedule your test date 2-4 weeks after application approval.
Obtain Surety Bond and Proof of Financial Responsibility
After exam pass, you need a surety bond (performance and payment bond) issued by a bonding company. Cost depends on license type and your credit score—typically $15,000-$50,000 coverage. Submit the bond to TDLR along with proof of financial responsibility (bank statements showing minimum liquid assets, or a letter of credit). Some contractors use a Responsible Manager affidavit instead if using a licensed Responsible Manager on staff.
Receive License Approval and Registration
TDLR issues your General Contractor license (2-3 week final processing). You'll receive a license number and wallet card. Your license is valid for 2 years. Now you can legally bid and perform general contracting work in Texas. Register with City of Arlington for a municipal business license within 30 days. Renew your TDLR license every 2 years ($370 renewal fee); no continuing education required in Texas but highly recommended.
About This Market
Arlington's general contracting market is competitive and steady. D-FW metro growth pushes consistent residential and light commercial demand—new-builds, remodels, and property rehabs. Single-family construction dominates, with median home prices $350k-$500k driving kitchen and bathroom remodels. Spec builders and residential developers are primary clients; commercial and municipal work is secondary. Labor costs run 40-50% of project budgets; material volatility (lumber, metal studs, drywall) swings costs 5-15% month-to-month. Competition is thick; margins compress on standard projects. What moves money: specialized work (structural, high-end finishes, complex additions), commercial work, relationships with property managers and developers.
- Median hourly wage for general contractors in TXU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2023 Occupational Employment Survey
- Number of licensed GC establishments in TXU.S. Census Bureau, Census of Construction Industries; TDLR licensing database
- Peak season timing and demand patternsBLS Construction spending data, D-FW housing data (North Texas Real Estate Information Systems)
- Texas licensing requirements and NASCLA exam detailsTexas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR); NASCLA (North American Standard of Contractor's Licensing)
- Arlington permit and inspection requirementsCity of Arlington Building & Development Services; Arlington City Code Chapter 25 (Development and Building Standards)
- Insurance minimums and bonding requirementsTexas Construction Insurance Association; TDLR license rules (16 TAC §81.101)
- Typical project costs and labor cost percentagesRS Means Construction Cost Database; local Arlington contractor surveys and bid data
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Texas General Contractor license types A, B, and C?
License Type A has no contract value limit and is unrestricted—the full credential. Type B caps contracts at $250,000 and is suitable for mid-sized residential and light commercial work. Type C caps at $100,000 and is for smaller remodels and specialty projects. All require the same 4-year experience and NASCLA exam, but Type A costs more to bond and insure. In Arlington's market, most residential contractors hold Type B or A. Source: TDLR (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation).
How long does it take to get a Texas General Contractor license?
If your experience is documented and on file, 6-8 weeks from exam pass to TDLR issuance. The bottleneck is verifying your 4 years of documented construction experience—have payroll records, timecards, and photos ready. The NASCLA exam itself is pass-or-fail same-day (or within 24 hours). Application and background check add 2-3 weeks. Plan 3 months minimum from decision to working with a license. Source: TDLR processing timelines and Arlington Building Department.
Does Arlington require a business license separate from my TDLR General Contractor license?
Yes. You need both. TDLR is your state license to legally perform general contracting. City of Arlington requires a separate Business License (municipal), which takes 1-2 weeks and costs $50-150 depending on entity type. You also need a Tax ID from Texas Comptroller and IRS. Don't skip any of these—inspectors verify licensing before clearing work. Source: City of Arlington Business Licensing Division and Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
What's the typical cost to get bonded and insured as a new GC in Arlington?
General liability insurance runs $800-2,000/year for a solo contractor or small firm with $500k-$1M coverage. Bonding (performance and payment bonds on projects) typically costs 1-3% of contract value—so on a $100k job, expect $1,000-3,000. Workers' compensation (if you have employees) is 10-25% of payroll depending on risk classification. Total annual overhead for a licensed, insured, bonded GC: $3,000-8,000 minimum. Source: Texas Construction Insurance Association and TDLR bond requirements.
Can I pull permits in Arlington as a General Contractor, or does my electrician or plumber have to?
You, as the GC, pull the building permit and structural/site work permits. Trade-specific permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas) can be pulled by the GC if you're licensed in that trade, OR by the licensed tradesperson directly. Most contractors have their licensed subs pull their own trade permits—cleaner liability. Electrical and plumbing licenses are separate from GC; you can't pull an electrical permit unless you hold an electrician license. City of Arlington enforces this strictly. Source: City of Arlington Building & Development Services.
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