Should You Hire a Texas Property Tax Protest Firm or DIY?
The Annual Texas Ritual
Every spring, Texas appraisal districts mail out Notices of Appraised Value. And every spring, homeowners experience sticker shock. Because Texas is a non-disclosure state (sale prices aren't public record), appraisal districts use mass appraisal models that often overvalue homes.
Option 1: The DIY Protest
You have the right to file a protest online (usually by May 15th) and present evidence to the Appraisal Review Board (ARB).
Pros of DIY:
- You keep 100% of the tax savings.
- You know your home's flaws better than anyone (cracked foundation, old roof).
Cons of DIY:
- Time-consuming. You must pull comparable sales (comps) and build a packet.
- Can be intimidating to argue against county appraisers in an ARB hearing.
Option 2: Hiring a Protest Firm
Property tax consulting firms automate this process. You sign an agreement, and they handle the filing, the comps, and the hearings.
How they charge:
Most operate on a contingency fee model (usually 35% to 50% of your actual tax savings). If they don't lower your taxes, you pay nothing.
Example:
If they reduce your taxable value and save you $1,000 in taxes, their fee might be $400. You net $600 in savings for zero effort.
Which is Better?
Do it yourself if...
You have major repair estimates (like a $20k foundation quote), you recently bought the house for less than the appraised value, or you have real estate access to run accurate comps.
Hire a firm if...
You are busy, you hate paperwork, or you skipped protesting last year because you forgot. 50% of something is better than 100% of nothing.