TX HB4169

Fire remediation contracts entered into before an insurance company completes an adequate damage assessment ("pre-estimate" contracts) are not binding on property owners, except for the estimated out-of-pocket amount disclosed in the contract

All fire remediation contracts must be in writing and include: the estimated insurance payment amount, the estimated amount the property owner will owe after insurance, a statement that the contract is not binding if signed before insurance assessment, and notice that signing is not required

Fire remediation contractors must submit all pre-estimate and final contracts to an electronic filing system maintained by the Texas Secretary of State

Violations of these requirements constitute a deceptive trade practice actionable under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (Chapter 17, Subchapter E)

The chapter's requirements cannot be waived by contract, and any purported waiver is void; the law applies to contracts entered into on or after September 1, 2025