How much deposit can a painting contractor ask for in Texas?

Texas has no statutory cap on contractor deposits. No statutory cap and no statewide GC licensing — caveat emptor applies. Industry standard: never pay more than 10% upfront. For painting, industry standard is 20% — meaning on a $1,690 project, expect $338 max. Any request above $507 is a red flag.

Industry standard for painting: 20%. Short job. Industry standard: 20–25% deposit, balance on completion. Most legitimate Texas contractors will follow this norm regardless of whether the state has a statutory cap.

Texas doesn't have a statutory cap, but industry-standard deposits sit between 10–25% for most painting projects. A request above 30% is a strong signal of cash-flow problems (the contractor is funding earlier jobs with your money) or outright fraud risk. Get 2 more written quotes before signing anything.

Best practice in Texas: 20% deposit at contract signing → milestone-based progress payments tied to inspectable phases (rough-in, mid-build, substantial completion) → 5–10% retention held until punchlist + final inspection sign-off. Never pay materials in full upfront; if your contractor goes under, the materials supplier owns those goods, not you. Pay via check or credit card — never wire transfer to a personal account.