What a TDLR TABS filing tells you.

The fields below come from TDLR’s project registration form. The numbers are Texas totals from the week of Sep 14 to the week of Oct 12, 2026.

Type of work

One of three: new construction, renovation or alteration, or an addition to an existing building. In Texas there were 741 new construction filings, 1,175 renovations or alterations and 86 additions.

For most finish-out trades, renovations are usually the main work. A new building typically gets its first tenants later, often with their own finish-out.

Estimated cost

The filer’s estimate of the construction cost. TDLR’s instructions say it should not include the site, design fees, furniture or equipment that isn’t part of the building systems. So a furniture or IT budget is on top of this number.

By estimated cost, 146 Texas filings were under $100,000, 751 were $100,000 to $500,000, 350 were $500,000 to $1 million, and 755 (38%) were $1 million or more.

Scope of work and square footage

A short description of the work, with the square footage. Size is usually a better guide than cost to how much flooring, cabling, furniture or signage a space needs. By size, 945 filings were under 5,000 square feet, 592 were 5,000 to 20,000, and 465 were 20,000 or more.

Estimated start and completion dates

The dates construction is scheduled to begin and end. They are estimates and can move. Typically, the start date matters for construction bids and the completion date for anything the tenant buys to move in.

Owner

The building owner as listed by the county appraisal district. TDLR sends its mail to the owner. For a finish-out, the owner is usually the landlord, not the business moving in.

Tenant

Filled in when the tenant isn’t the owner. For renovations, the form also asks whether the tenant is paying for the work. TDLR’s FAQ notes that this option is only for renovations, not new construction. A named tenant is usually the business you would sell to.

Design firm

The architect, designer or engineer responsible for the plans. Design firms typically specify finishes and building systems, so they matter for flooring, low-voltage and security work.

Registered Accessibility Specialist (RAS)

A RAS is licensed by TDLR to review the plans and inspect the finished space. The owner must have the space inspected within a year after the work is done (Section 469.105). The RAS doesn’t buy anything, but an inspection usually means the work is done.

What a filing doesn’t tell you

It doesn’t say who hires each trade, what the tenant’s budget is for your product, or whether a job is already awarded. That takes research. It is the part Caliche does for you.

Where to look one up

Use the TABS project search, or see filings by county and city. How to find finish-out leads covers the rules and timing.

Sources

• TDLR: Project Registration form and instructions (EAB-205N)
• TDLR: Architectural Barriers Frequently Asked Questions
• Texas Government Code, Chapter 469 (Elimination of Architectural Barriers)
• TDLR: TABS project search

Weekly totals through the week of Oct 12, 2026, pulled Oct 18, 2026. Numbers are weekly totals of TABS registrations from Caliche’s names-free summary. Shares are rounded to the nearest whole percent.