(a) This chapter applies only to a contract for the construction or repair of an improvement to real property.
(b) This chapter does not apply to a contract entered into by a person for the construction or repair of a critical infrastructure facility owned or operated by the person or any building, structure, improvement, appurtenance, or other facility owned by the person that is necessary to the operation of and directly related to the critical infrastructure facility. For purposes of this subsection, “person” has the meaning assigned by Section 311.005, Government Code, and includes a parent, subsidiary, affiliated entity, joint venture partner, or owner of the person.

Terms Used In Texas Business and Commerce Code 59.002

  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
  • Property: means real and personal property. See Texas Government Code 311.005
  • Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.
  • Signed: includes any symbol executed or adopted by a person with present intention to authenticate a writing. See Texas Government Code 311.005

(c) Except as provided by Section 59.052, this chapter does not apply to the construction, repair, alteration, or remodeling of an improvement to real property if:
(1) the construction, repair, alteration, or remodeling is performed under a design-build contract and the part of the plans, specifications, or other design documents for which the contractor is responsible under the contract is the part alleged to be defective; or
(2) the construction, repair, alteration, or remodeling is performed under an engineering, procurement, and construction contract and the part of the plans, specifications, or other design documents for which the contractor is responsible under the contract is the part alleged to be defective.
(d) Except as provided by Section 59.052, this chapter does not apply to the portion of a contract between a person and a contractor under which the contractor agrees to provide input and guidance on plans, specifications, or other design documents to the extent that:
(1) the contractor’s input and guidance are provided as the signed and sealed work product of a person licensed or registered under Title 6, Occupations Code; and
(2) the work product is incorporated into the plans, specifications, or other design documents used in construction.