Guides for hiring a good pro in Houston.

Short, practical answers to the questions neighbors ask before they hire someone — no fluff, and we name the real agencies and rules.

• Houston Freeze Prep: Don't Drip Your Faucets (Do This Instead) — A Houston-specific freeze checklist: what Houston Public Works actually says about dripping faucets, how to protect pipes, sprinklers, pools and AC, and how to stay safe if the power goes out.
• How to Check a Contractor's License in Texas (Trade by Trade) — Which Texas trades need a state license, which agency licenses each one, and what to check when a trade — like roofing or remodeling — has no license at all.