Information

Who decides which repairman to use?

The seller agreed to make the repairs requested by a buyer after the inspection. Can the buyer insist that the seller use a certain repairman?

No. TREC contracts require the seller to complete the agreed repairs prior to closing, but they do not provide for the buyer to designate who makes the repairs.

In addition, remember that recent changes to the Completion of Repairs Paragraph require the seller to use someone who is licensed to perform a service—unless the buyer and seller agree otherwise in writing.

If the type of repair doesn’t require a license (e.g., roofing), the seller is required to use someone who is commercially engaged in that repair business—unless the buyer and seller agree otherwise in writing.

This change doesn’t mean that a seller can never use an unlicensed handyman for electrical repairs. It means that unless there is a written agreement between the buyer and seller to use that unlicensed handyman for electrical repairs, the seller must use a licensed electrician.