Can I cancel a signed home repair contract after work starts if the price keeps changing?

Thank you for your message. Under Texas law, a fixed-price construction contract generally limits the contractor to the agreed amount unless the contract expressly allows change orders or additional charges, typically requiring written approval before the work is performed. Contractors are not usually entitled to demand extra payment without providing clear, itemized invoices and showing that the additional work was authorized or necessary under the contract terms. Threatening to stop work or retain a deposit without contractual justification may itself constitute a breach of contract. Your rights to cancel or renegotiate depend largely on the contract language, the contractor’s compliance with notice and billing requirements, and whether their conduct amounts to a material breach. In many cases, an owner may suspend payment, demand proper documentation, or seek to renegotiate disputed charges without waiving rights, provided this is done carefully and in writing. Before taking further action, it is advisable to review the contract, document all disputed charges, and issue a formal written notice reserving your rights. We can review the agreement and correspondence to advise on whether termination, renegotiation, or recovery of the deposit is legally and commercially advisable in your situation. Sincerely, Ascendance International Consulting