CheckLicensed Blog
Guides and research on verifying contractors before you hire.
Page 1 of 44
July 2026 · 7 min read
An unlicensed contractor can quote 10–20% less than a licensed one. On small jobs the savings are genuine. On everything else, the math reverses fast — here's how to run it before accepting any bid.
Read more →July 2026 · 6 min read
Concrete and asphalt driveways require different license classifications in most states — and a contractor licensed for one cannot legally do the other. Here is exactly what to verify before signing anything.
Read more →July 2026 · 10 min read
If a contractor gets hurt at your home and they're unlicensed, you may become their legal employer under the statutory employer doctrine. Learn exactly how this works, what states apply it, and how to verify a contractor's license before work starts.
Read more →July 2026 · 9 min read
Siding licensing varies significantly by state — some require a siding-specific specialty license, others accept a general contractor classification, and a few have no state requirement at all. Learn what to look for, how to verify a siding contractor's license, and why siding is a top target for storm-chaser fraud.
Read more →July 2026 · 9 min read
Tree removal sits in a regulatory gray zone — some states require a license, others require nothing at all statewide. Learn which states require a tree service license, the difference between an ISA certified arborist and a licensed contractor, and how to verify any tree company before signing.
Read more →July 2026 · 10 min read
Foundation repair costs $5,000–$35,000+ and Texas has zero licensing requirements for it. This guide covers which states require a foundation repair license, when a general contractor license isn't enough, why permits matter, and how to avoid the upsell scam that hits mid-job.
Read more →April 2026 · 8 min read
Organized fraud crews deploy within 48 hours of landfall and cost Americans over $10 billion annually. Learn how the hurricane contractor scam works from the inside — the deployment pattern, AOB traps, fake FEMA endorsements, and out-of-state license fraud — so you can stop it at every stage.
Read more →April 2026 · 7 min read
After Helene hit Buncombe County, 47 fraud cases and $2.3M in losses occurred in 30 days — nearly all with zero verification. This guide covers the exact mechanics of contractor verification after a storm: which database to use by state, what status codes mean, how to verify a bond, and when to check.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
ADU projects run $50,000–$250,000 and are among the most fraud-prone categories in residential contracting. Learn what license an ADU contractor needs in California and other states, how to spot scams, and what to verify before signing.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Fence contractor licensing varies wildly by state — some require a specialty license like California's C-13, others require a general contractor license, and some leave it to cities and counties. Learn what your state requires and how to verify before you sign.
Read more →April 2026 · 8 min read
No single national solar license exists. About 12 states have dedicated solar contractor classifications; most others route solar through electrical licensing. Learn what your installer must carry, what happens if they don't, and how to verify before you sign.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
FTC solar complaints jumped more than 7x between 2018 and 2023. Most scams follow a three-phase pattern: pre-contract pressure, financing traps, and post-installation shortcuts. Here's how to recognize each phase before you sign.
Read more →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 →License, complaints, BBB, and reviews — one report, under an hour.
Verify my contractor — $25