Licensed Concrete Contractor in Michigan: How to Verify Before You Hire

Michigan requires residential concrete contractors to hold a Residential Builder or Maintenance & Alteration (M&A) Contractor license through LARA for work involving residential structures. For structural concrete — foundations, retaining walls, and attached slabs — the licensing requirement is clear and enforced. Here's what to verify before hiring a concrete contractor in Michigan.

Does Michigan require a license for concrete contractors?

Michigan requires residential contractors — including those performing concrete work on residential structures — to hold a Residential Builder or Maintenance & Alteration (M&A) Contractor license through the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). The specific license required depends on the scope of work: foundation work and structural concrete tied to the building envelope requires a Residential Builder license, while other concrete repair and improvement work may fall under the M&A Contractor category.

Michigan's licensing requirement is employer-based rather than individual-based for these categories. A concrete company with employees must hold the appropriate LARA license. A true sole proprietor may have different requirements. Confirm which category applies by checking with LARA directly or through the license database.

Commercial concrete contractors in Michigan are governed by separate licensing rules that vary by project type and municipality. For large commercial projects, consult local building department requirements and verify the contractor's specific credentials for commercial work.

How do you verify a Michigan concrete contractor's license?

Use LARA's online license lookup at michigan.gov/lara. Search by business name or license number to confirm the contractor holds an active Residential Builder or M&A Contractor license. The database shows license status, type, number, and expiration date, along with any disciplinary actions on record.

Ask your concrete contractor for their LARA license number before any discussion of price or scope. Michigan law requires contractors to display their license number on contracts and advertising. If the contractor cannot produce a license number for a structural concrete project on your home, that is a clear signal to verify further before proceeding.

For foundation work specifically — the most consequential type of concrete work — also confirm the contractor has experience with the specific foundation type involved. Michigan's cold climate demands properly designed and poured foundations that account for frost depth and freeze-thaw cycles.

What permits does concrete work require in Michigan?

Michigan's Residential Code and local building ordinances require permits for most structural concrete work. New foundations are subject to permit and inspection. Retaining walls over 4 feet require permits in most Michigan jurisdictions. Attached slabs and patios requiring footings also typically need permits. Contact your local building department to confirm requirements for your specific project.

Michigan's frost line depth — between 42 and 52 inches in most of the state — dictates that foundations must be poured below frost depth. Concrete work that doesn't account for frost depth will heave, crack, and fail. Building inspectors check frost depth compliance during the foundation pour stage — an inspection that only happens if permits are properly pulled.

The cost of foundation failure in Michigan is significant. Repairing a frost-damaged foundation typically costs $15,000 to $50,000 depending on the damage. A permit that costs a few hundred dollars at the outset provides the inspection backstop that prevents this outcome.

What insurance does a Michigan concrete contractor need?

Michigan LARA-licensed contractors must carry general liability insurance. Workers' compensation in Michigan is required for employers with three or more employees. Request a certificate of insurance showing both coverages before work begins and call the insurers to confirm active policies.

Michigan's workers' comp is administered through the state Workers' Disability Compensation Agency. Concrete and masonry workers have high rates of workplace injuries — falls, equipment accidents, and chemical burns are common. A concrete crew without workers' comp creates personal liability exposure for you as the property owner if an injury occurs on your property.

CheckLicensed.com searches Michigan's LARA database and all other state licensing records for $0.99 per check. Verify your concrete contractor's license type and status before committing to any residential concrete project — especially for foundation work where the stakes are highest.