Last updated: October 4, 2026 · 5 min read · By Ali Raza
Yes, contractors can send automated texts, but only with the homeowner’s consent, an easy way to opt out (STOP and similar words must work), and, in the US, a registered A2P 10DLC brand and campaign. In Canada, CASL applies: an inquiry gives you implied consent for 6 months. Good contractor SMS compliance protects your number from carrier blocking and you from fines.
Automated text follow-up is one of the fastest ways for a contractor to win more jobs. It’s also an area where a careless setup can get your messages blocked by carriers, or expose you to fines and lawsuits. This guide covers contractor SMS compliance in plain English: the TCPA texting rules in the US, 10DLC registration, and CASL rules for text messages in Canada.
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules change and vary by state and province; check with a lawyer for your specific situation.
Compliant contractor texting at a glance
Can contractors send automated text messages in the US? (TCPA)
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) governs calls and texts sent with automated systems. The key TCPA texting rules for contractors:
- You need consent. Texts that respond to a homeowner’s own request (“We got your quote request, here’s a link to book”) generally need the person’s prior consent, which they give when they submit your form with their number and a clear disclosure. Marketing texts (promotions, seasonal offers) require prior express written consent: a clear statement that they agree to receive marketing texts, which isn’t a condition of purchase.
- Opt-outs must be easy and honoured quickly. FCC rules that took effect on April 11, 2025 say people can revoke consent in any reasonable way. Words like STOP, QUIT, END, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE, REVOKE and OPT OUT must be treated as opt-outs, and requests must be honoured within 10 business days. You may send one confirmation text without marketing content.
- Respect timing. Telemarketing messages shouldn’t go out before 8 am or after 9 pm in the recipient’s local time, and some states are stricter.
- State laws add more. Florida, Oklahoma and several other states have their own “mini-TCPA” laws with stricter rules on automated texts.
You may have heard about the FCC’s “one-to-one consent” rule for lead generators. A federal appeals court struck it down in January 2025, so it doesn’t apply. If you buy leads from a third party, though, make sure their consent language actually covers your business.
Do contractors need 10DLC registration?
If you text customers from a regular 10-digit US business number through software (a CRM, a texting app or an automation), yes. Separately from the law, US carriers require businesses to register through The Campaign Registry. This is called A2P 10DLC. Since February 2025, unregistered business texts are blocked.
- Brand: your legal business name, EIN, address and website.
- Campaign: what you send (for example, “customer care” or “marketing”), sample messages, how people opt in, and links to your privacy policy and terms.
Carriers check that your live messages match what you registered. A vague campaign description or a form without opt-in language is a common reason for rejection. Toll-free numbers have a separate verification process with similar requirements.
Registration usually takes from a few days to a few weeks, so plan it before you launch a campaign, not after your first messages start failing.
What are the CASL rules for text messages in Canada?
Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) covers commercial electronic messages, including texts and emails.
- Consent: express consent doesn’t expire unless the person withdraws it. Implied consent exists in limited cases: an inquiry gives you implied consent for 6 months, and a purchase or contract gives you implied consent for 2 years from the last transaction.
- Every message must identify you: your business name, plus a mailing address and a phone number, email or website.
- Unsubscribe: every commercial message needs a working way to opt out, and requests must be actioned within 10 business days.
For a renovation company, that means a homeowner who submits a quote request can receive follow-up for about 6 months under implied consent. To keep marketing to them after that, ask for express consent, ideally with an unchecked checkbox on the form.
What does a compliant contractor SMS setup look like?
- A quote form with clear SMS consent text next to the phone field, and a separate, unchecked checkbox for marketing messages.
- Consent records saved with each lead: the date, time, the form and the exact wording shown.
- Automatic handling of STOP and other opt-out words, synced to your CRM so no one texts that person again by hand.
- Your business name in every message, and quiet hours based on the homeowner’s time zone.
- A registered 10DLC brand and campaign (US) or verified toll-free number, with sample messages that match what you actually send.
- Phone verification on the form, so you only text numbers that belong to the person who filled it in. More in how to stop fake quote requests.
At Upstack Web, we’ve worked through these requirements first-hand, including resolving a carrier restriction caused by missing opt-in wording on a client’s quote form. The fix was a clearer consent checkbox and matching sample messages, but the delay cost weeks of follow-up. Getting it right before launch is much cheaper.
Compliance and speed work together: a fast, compliant first text is exactly what wins the job. Read how fast contractors should respond to leads for the response-time side.
Frequently asked questions
Can contractors send automated text messages?
Yes, with the homeowner's consent and a working opt-out. Marketing texts in the US need prior express written consent, and business texting from 10-digit numbers must be registered for A2P 10DLC.
Do I need 10DLC registration as a small contractor?
If you send texts from a regular US 10-digit number through software such as a CRM or texting app, yes. Since February 2025 carriers block unregistered business texts.
How long does implied consent last under CASL?
An inquiry, such as a quote request, gives implied consent for 6 months. A purchase or contract gives implied consent for 2 years from the last transaction. Express consent lasts until withdrawn.
How quickly do I have to honour a STOP request?
Under current FCC rules in the US and under CASL in Canada, opt-out requests must be honoured within 10 business days. Most texting systems can process them instantly.
Sources
- Manatt: FCC’s consent revocation rule (effective April 11, 2025)
- Wiley: 11th Circuit vacates the FCC’s one-to-one consent rule
- The Campaign Registry (A2P 10DLC)
- Government of Canada: Getting consent under CASL
Upstack Web builds lead capture and follow-up systems with consent, opt-out handling and carrier registration built in. See our lead automation and CRM service for contractors, or book a free audit of your current setup.