How to check contractor license?

Thinking about giving your home a makeover? A crucial aspect of your home improvement project is securing a licensed and trustworthy contractor. Here’s how to check contractor license of the person you hire.

Why is it important to hire the right people?

A good contractor will make your dream home a reality, seamlessly and efficiently. On the other hand, an inexperienced contractor will not only do poor quality work, but they may also become a problem too big to handle. 

Most importantly, your homeowners’ insurance will not cover any injuries or damage if the work is completed by an unlicensed contractor. It’s best to protect yourself and your home by hiring a qualified contractor for your remodeling project. One who’s trustworthy, experienced, and licensed! 

How to check contractor license and insurance?

If you want to know how to check if a contractor is licensed and insured, you have several options. The best way is to ask your potential contractor upfront, their trade license number, proof of bond and contractor insurance. And then, visit your state’s licensing board website to verify the license. 

Keep in mind that not all information is available online. You may need to make a call. Sometimes, even visit your city’s building department and ask them.

How to go about contractor hiring?

Remember that making wise choices in hiring is key.

Begin the screening process

Discuss all the aspects of the renovation project with the potential contractor so they fully understand every little detail. Encourage them to ask you more questions if anything is unclear. Take this opportunity to gauge your contractor.

Ask the contractor important questions

Ask the contractor for their complete license information, including name, phone number, mailing address, contact information, license number, and any other additional information. The next important question is to ask about the necessary insurance (General liability insurance and any additional insurance). Also, ask for proof of their insurance to verify if it’s valid. 

Read more: 10 Fundamental questions to ask before hiring a contractor.

Search for the contractor license from a database

It’s time to verify the facts via the database. For instance, California has Contractors State License Board (CSLB) that helps you be sure that your contractor has a legit license, insurance, and surety bond to complete the task. 

As you enter the contractor’s license number or the license holder’s name, you will get complete information such as their websites, contracts, and other marketing materials (business cards or brochures). Make sure the name, address, and phone number match with the info your contractor has provided.

Get into the details

Check the contractor or contracting company’s business model — whether they are listed as a sole proprietor, LLC, or are part of a corporation. A sole proprietor may not need a worker’s compensation insurance but a company with multiple people working on tools and equipment will. Check contractor license status and review the license issue date, re-issue date, and expiration date.  

Read more: General contractor license requirements

Verify the contractor registration details

Every contractor has a registration card. For instance, CSLB issues a Home Improvement Salesperson (HIS) registration to its licensed contractors. The HIS card is issued only after diligent background checks. Checking their registration is an important step that helps ensure your personal safety.

View consumer ratings, reviews, and references

Make sure you ask the contractor for a list of references. Don’t skimp on actually calling them to know about their experience of working with the contractor. Also, check the contractor’s online reviews. 

How to find a licensed contractor?

Kukun’s Find a Contractor tool will help you hire the best workers to aid you in your home project. You can explore each contractor’s profile, check their online reviews, consumer ratings, statistics, work history, and previous permits. Based on these criteria, the proprietary Kukun Score carefully ranks contractors in your area so that you can make an informed decision regarding the hiring process. 

Last thoughts

When you hire a contractor, you want to be able to completely trust them and the subcontractors they hire. Do not assume that a contractor is licensed simply because they tell you so. Remember that every state has its own set of regulations regarding contractor licensing laws and how to check contractor license. Although it might be tempting to finish the hiring process as quickly as possible, doing the extra legwork ensures that you hire the right professional.

Written by Ramona Sinha. June 12, 2021

Ramona is the Senior Content Writer for Kukun. This experienced blogger uses simple and succinct words to decipher the complex phenomenon called life. She has written articles covering a broad range of topics, such as real estate, lending and mortgage, finance, business, taxation, home designs, home improvement projects, decor concepts, and more. An avid traveler, she’s a digital nomad at heart and an animal lover from the depth of her soul.