How to Start a Permanent Lighting Business in Texas
Everything you need to know about launching a permanent outdoor lighting installation business in Texas — from licensing to your first customer.
The Texas Market Opportunity
Texas is the second-largest permanent lighting market in the country. Massive suburban sprawl in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio creates seemingly endless demand. No state income tax, business-friendly regulations, year-round installation weather, and HOA-heavy master-planned communities make Texas one of the best states to start a lighting business.
82
Target Cities
15,250,607
Combined Population
$20–40
Price Per Foot
Licensing & Requirements in Texas
Texas requires an electrical license through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) for most electrical work. Low-voltage work requires a separate license. No statewide general contractor license is required. Local permits and inspections are required in most municipalities. Some cities (Houston notably) have fewer permitting requirements.
General Requirements for All States
- General liability insurance ($1M minimum recommended)
- Workers' compensation insurance (if you have employees)
- Business entity registration (LLC recommended)
- EIN from the IRS for tax purposes
- Local business license(s) for your operating area
Best Cities to Start In
These Texas cities have the strongest demand for permanent outdoor lighting based on population, income levels, and housing characteristics.
Houston
Pop. 2,304,580
Dallas
Pop. 1,304,379
Austin
Pop. 978,908
San Antonio
Pop. 1,434,625
Fort Worth
Pop. 918,915
Plano
Pop. 285,494
Frisco
Pop. 200,509
McKinney
Pop. 195,308
Round Rock
Pop. 119,468
Katy
Pop. 21,894
Sugar Land
Pop. 111,026
The Woodlands
Pop. 114,436
San Marcos
Pop. 67,553
El Paso
Pop. 678,815
Arlington
Pop. 394,266
Corpus Christi
Pop. 317,863
Laredo
Pop. 255,205
Lubbock
Pop. 263,930
Garland
Pop. 246,018
Irving
Pop. 256,684
Amarillo
Pop. 200,393
Grand Prairie
Pop. 196,100
Brownsville
Pop. 186,738
Pasadena
Pop. 151,950
Mesquite
Pop. 150,108
Killeen
Pop. 153,095
McAllen
Pop. 142,210
Midland
Pop. 146,038
Odessa
Pop. 127,209
Beaumont
Pop. 115,282
Denton
Pop. 148,146
Carrollton
Pop. 133,168
Pearland
Pop. 125,828
Richardson
Pop. 121,323
Leander
Pop. 101,024
Allen
Pop. 104,627
League City
Pop. 115,222
Tyler
Pop. 105,995
Abilene
Pop. 125,182
Waco
Pop. 139,236
College Station
Pop. 120,511
Flower Mound
Pop. 79,706
Cedar Park
Pop. 79,462
New Braunfels
Pop. 90,209
Georgetown
Pop. 75,420
Pflugerville
Pop. 73,098
Mansfield
Pop. 75,454
Rowlett
Pop. 67,339
Wylie
Pop. 56,584
Burleson
Pop. 49,248
Temple
Pop. 82,073
San Angelo
Pop. 101,612
Wichita Falls
Pop. 104,898
Southlake
Pop. 31,767
Trophy Club
Pop. 13,294
Prosper
Pop. 30,174
Celina
Pop. 28,926
Hutto
Pop. 42,401
Kyle
Pop. 45,697
Conroe
Pop. 97,134
Tomball
Pop. 12,280
Missouri City
Pop. 74,705
Coppell
Pop. 41,376
Rockwall
Pop. 47,523
Little Elm
Pop. 58,390
Anna
Pop. 24,429
Forney
Pop. 31,379
Weatherford
Pop. 33,078
Schertz
Pop. 42,699
Friendswood
Pop. 39,893
Colleyville
Pop. 27,927
Dripping Springs
Pop. 5,765
Harker Heights
Pop. 33,750
Keller
Pop. 47,866
Grapevine
Pop. 54,771
Bee Cave
Pop. 7,014
Lago Vista
Pop. 8,415
Lantana
Pop. 15,240
Aledo
Pop. 5,600
Murphy
Pop. 20,987
Heath
Pop. 9,403
Argyle
Pop. 4,360
Equipment & Tools Needed
Essential Equipment
- 1 Extension ladders (24ft and 32ft minimum)
- 2 Cordless drill with rivet gun attachment
- 3 Wire strippers, crimpers, and low-voltage connectors
- 4 Work truck or van with ladder rack
- 5 Safety harness and fall protection gear
Business Tools
- 1 Brightly Measure — Measure rooflines from photos, generate professional quotes in minutes
- 2 CRM for lead tracking and follow-up
- 3 Accounting software (QuickBooks, Wave)
- 4 Google Business Profile for local SEO
- 5 Scheduling tool for job management
Ready to Quote Like a Pro?
Brightly Measure is the field sales tool built for permanent lighting installers. Measure rooflines from photos, generate professional quotes, and close deals — all from your phone or iPad.