Guides and research on verifying contractors before you hire.
864 articles · Page 1 of 44
April 2026 · 6 min read
Florida requires remodeling contractors to hold a Certified General Contractor (CGC) or Certified Residential Contractor (CRC) license from the DBPR. Learn what each license covers, how to verify at myfloridalicense.com, and what insurance to require.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Texas has no state-level remodeling contractor license, but the specialty trades within any remodel — plumbers (TSBPE), electricians (TDLR), and HVAC technicians (TDLR) — all require state licenses. Learn what to verify before hiring.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
California requires a CSLB license for any remodeling project over $500. The primary classification is Class B General Building Contractor. Learn what to verify, what bond is required, and what happens if you hire unlicensed.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Mississippi has no statewide landscape contractor license. Pesticide applicators need MSCL certification. Large projects over $50,000 fall under the Mississippi Board of Contractors. Learn how to protect yourself before hiring.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Kansas has no statewide landscape contractor license. Pesticide applications require a Kansas Department of Agriculture license. Local cities like Wichita and Overland Park have their own registration requirements. Learn what to verify before hiring.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Utah has no specific landscape contractor license, but pesticide applicators need a DOPL license and major landscaping projects over $3,000 require a contractor license. Learn what to check at dopl.utah.gov before hiring.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Connecticut requires HIC registration for landscape hardscaping over $200 and a DCP pesticide license for chemical applications. Learn how to verify both at elicense.ct.gov and what the $20,000 bond requirement means for you.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Oregon is one of the few states with a dedicated Landscape Contractors Board (LCB). All landscape contractors must be licensed. Learn how to verify at oregon.gov/lcb, what the $10,000 bond covers, and what happens if you hire unlicensed.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Alaska requires flooring contractors to hold a general or specialty contractor license for projects over $10,000. Learn which agency to check, what classifications apply, and how to verify before you hire.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Arkansas requires contractor licensing for flooring projects over $20,000 through the ACLB. Learn which license tier applies, how to verify credentials, and what bond and insurance to require.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Washington DC requires a Home Improvement Contractor license for any flooring project worth $300 or more. Learn how to verify through DCRA and what to check before hiring.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Delaware requires home improvement contractor registration for flooring projects over $1,000. Learn how to verify registration through the Division of Revenue and what insurance to require.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Hawaii requires flooring contractors to hold a C-11 specialty license from the DCCA. Learn what this classification covers, how to verify it, and what bond and insurance requirements apply.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Idaho contractor licensing for flooring depends on project type and city. Public works requires a state license; residential rules vary by municipality. Learn what to verify before you hire.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Iowa has no statewide residential contractor license, but flooring contractors must register locally in many cities and carry workers' compensation. Learn how to verify credentials before you hire.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
We audited the top 10 general contractors on Yelp in Los Angeles against California's CSLB database. Two couldn't be found. One had an expired license. Here's what that means for homeowners.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Exact-match search, no mobile support, and confusing status labels. State licensing databases have the data — they just make it nearly impossible to use.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Five-star reviews measure satisfaction, not compliance. Here's what Yelp and Google reviews actually tell you — and the one thing they can't.
Read more →April 2026 · 7 min read
A contractor background check is more than a criminal record search. Here are the 5 things to verify, how to check each one for free, and the red flags that should stop you from hiring.
Read more →April 2026 · 7 min read
Lost deposits, voided insurance claims, and zero legal protection. Here's what actually happens when you skip the license check — and what to do if you already did.
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