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

Michigan requires residential contractors — including remodeling contractors — to hold a Residential Builder or Maintenance and Alteration Contractor license from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). These licenses cover the full scope of residential remodeling and renovation work, and Michigan actively enforces its licensing requirements.

What license does a remodeling contractor need in Michigan?

Michigan requires a Residential Builder license or a Maintenance and Alteration Contractor (MAC) license from LARA for contractors performing residential construction, remodeling, or repair work valued above $600. The Residential Builder license covers new construction and full renovations. The MAC license covers interior and exterior improvements, renovations, and repairs to existing residential structures. Both are valid credentials for residential remodeling work.

The distinction between the two licenses matters for the scope of your project. A Residential Builder can legally perform any residential construction or remodeling, including structural changes and additions. A MAC contractor is limited to improvements and alterations to existing structures and cannot perform work requiring a new foundation or structural framing from scratch. For most residential remodels — kitchen, bathroom, basement, or room additions — confirm which license your contractor holds and that it covers your scope.

Michigan also requires a separate Residential Builder Supervisor license for the individual who supervises residential construction on behalf of a licensed company. Ask for both the company license and the qualifying supervisor's individual credential.

How do you look up a remodeling contractor's license in Michigan?

Use the Michigan LARA license search at michigan.gov/lara to verify any remodeling contractor's credentials. Search by company name, individual name, or license number. The database shows license type, status, expiration date, and any disciplinary actions or complaints on file with the Bureau of Construction Codes.

Michigan requires licensed contractors to display their LARA license number on all contracts, estimates, and advertisements. The license number begins with a two-letter code indicating license type (RB for Residential Builder, MA for Maintenance and Alteration) followed by a numeric identifier. Any contractor performing residential remodeling above $600 who cannot provide this number is unlicensed.

Detroit and other Michigan cities may have additional local permit requirements. Verify with the local building department whether your project requires a permit and whether additional local credentials are needed beyond the state LARA license.

What scope of work triggers licensing for Michigan remodeling?

Any residential remodeling project valued above $600 in Michigan requires a LARA-licensed contractor. This threshold captures virtually all meaningful remodeling work. Kitchen renovations, bathroom remodels, basement finishing, room additions, and whole-house renovations all require either a Residential Builder or MAC licensee.

Michigan's licensing applies to the contractor performing the work, not just the company. If the contractor subcontracts work to individuals who are not licensed, those individuals may be performing unlicensed work even if the company holds a license. Ask who will actually be on your job site and whether all workers are covered under the company's license.

Specialty trade work within a remodel — electrical, plumbing, HVAC — requires separate state licenses in Michigan. The general remodeling contractor must use licensed subcontractors for these trades. Verify that specialty credentials are in place for all systems work in your renovation.

What bond and insurance does a Michigan remodeling contractor need?

Michigan requires Residential Builder and MAC licensees to carry a minimum of $200,000 in general liability insurance as a condition of licensure. Workers' compensation is required for contractors with employees. The LARA license renewal process verifies insurance compliance, but coverage can lapse between renewals.

Request a current certificate of insurance before any remodeling work begins. For large projects, ask for $500,000 or more in general liability coverage. Workers' compensation verification can be done through the Michigan Workers' Compensation Agency. Michigan's workers' comp requirements apply to contractors with one or more employees.

Michigan does not require a surety bond for LARA licensees, but a voluntary bond provides additional protection against contractor default. For projects above $15,000, ask whether your remodeling contractor carries a voluntary bond.

What are common remodeling scams to watch for in Michigan?

Michigan's aging housing stock, particularly in metro Detroit, creates opportunities for remodeling fraud targeting homeowners whose homes need significant work. Common scams include contractors who perform unnecessary work, charge for materials not delivered, or significantly inflate prices for homeowners who lack knowledge of fair market rates.

Water and mold remediation fraud is common in Michigan. After flooding events, unlicensed contractors offer rapid remediation services, collect payment for work that does not fully address the moisture problem, and the mold returns within months. Verify that any contractor performing water damage remediation holds the appropriate Michigan LARA credentials.

Michigan winters create specific remodeling challenges. Remodeling work that disturbs the building envelope — window replacement, additions, roofing — must be properly weatherproofed for Michigan's cold climate. Contractors who rush these steps to complete work before cold weather create buildings that lose heat and develop moisture problems.

What should you check before signing a remodeling contract in Michigan?

Verify an active LARA Residential Builder or MAC license. Confirm $200,000 or more in general liability insurance and workers' compensation. Verify specialty contractor licenses for all tradespeople involved in the project. Get a written contract with scope, materials, payment schedule, and timeline.

Michigan requires a written contract for all residential construction contracts above $600. The contract must include specific information required by Michigan law. A contractor who resists providing a compliant written contract is violating Michigan's residential construction licensing requirements.

Get at least three bids from LARA-licensed contractors. Michigan's competitive remodeling market in metro Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Lansing makes multiple bids easy to obtain. Use the price range to identify bids that are unrealistically low or inflated.

How can CheckLicensed.com help you verify a Michigan remodeling contractor?

CheckLicensed.com searches the Michigan LARA contractor database to verify your remodeling contractor's license type, status, and disciplinary history. For $14.99 you get a complete verification report before you commit to any Michigan remodeling project. Visit CheckLicensed.com to verify before you hire.