Guides and research on verifying contractors before you hire.
864 articles · Page 41 of 44
April 2026 · 6 min read
North Dakota has no statewide contractor or landscape license. Learn about WSI workers' compensation requirements, North Dakota pesticide applicator licensing, and what to verify before hiring.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Oklahoma's Construction Industries Board licenses construction-related landscape work. Learn about pesticide applicator requirements from ODAFF, how to verify CIB licenses at cib.ok.gov, and what bond requirements apply.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Rhode Island's CRLB registration requirement covers landscape improvement work on residential properties. Learn about the $300,000 insurance minimum, DEM pesticide licensing, and how to verify at crb.ri.gov.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
South Dakota has no statewide contractor or landscape license. Learn what to verify instead — pesticide applicator credentials, specialty trade licenses, insurance requirements, and local permit rules.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Vermont has no statewide contractor or landscape license, but has strict pesticide regulations protecting its lakes and rivers. Learn what to verify before hiring, including VT Agency of Agriculture applicator licensing.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
West Virginia's $2,500 contractor licensing threshold applies to construction landscape work. Learn about WV pesticide applicator requirements, how to verify WVCLB licenses at wvclb.wv.gov, and what bond status means.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Wisconsin has no statewide contractor or landscape license, but DATCP pesticide applicator licensing is required for chemical applications. Learn what to verify before hiring any landscape contractor in Wisconsin.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Wyoming has no statewide contractor or landscape license. Learn about WY pesticide applicator requirements, how to verify electricians and plumbers at soswy.state.wy.us, and what local rules apply.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Solar installation in South Carolina requires a licensed electrical contractor from LLR. Learn how to verify at verify.llronline.com, what hurricane-zone requirements apply, and how to check both the installer and electrician.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Louisiana's LSLBC licenses solar contractors — one of the South's most comprehensive contractor licensing systems. Learn how to verify at lslbc.louisiana.gov, what hurricane requirements apply, and how to claim state solar incentives.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Kentucky requires a licensed electrical contractor from the HBC for solar installation. Learn how to verify at dhbc.ky.gov, how grid interconnection works with LG&E/KU and Duke Energy, and what net metering means for your investment.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Oklahoma's CIB requires a licensed electrical contractor for solar installations. Learn how to verify at cib.ok.gov, what hail resistance ratings matter in Oklahoma, and how net metering works with OG&E and PSO.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
New Hampshire has no general contractor license, but solar electrical work requires a licensed Master Electrician from OPLC. Learn how to verify at oplc.nh.gov, what snow load requirements apply, and how NH's net metering works.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
D.C. solar installations require both an HIC license and an electrical contractor license from DCRA. Learn about D.C.'s valuable SREC market, Pepco interconnection requirements, and how to verify at mylicense.eregulations.dc.gov.
Read more →April 2026 · 7 min read
A handyman can legally work only below your state's dollar threshold — typically $500 to $2,500. Above that, or for any electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or structural work, a licensed contractor is required by law.
Read more →April 2026 · 8 min read
In most states, homeowners can do their own electrical work on their primary residence with a permit and inspection — but not on rentals, and not without permits. Louisiana prohibits homeowner electrical work entirely.
Read more →April 2026 · 7 min read
Search your city or county building department's online permit database by property address. Active permits appear with the contractor's name, scope, issue date, and inspection status.
Read more →April 2026 · 7 min read
In most cases, no. Contractors cannot legally start permitted work before the permit is issued and posted at the job site. Starting without a permit risks stop-work orders, fines, and required demolition.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Alabama solar installation requires an electrical contractor license from the Alabama Electrical Contractors Board (AECB). There is no separate solar license — the AECB electrical license is the controlling credential.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Alaska solar contractors must hold an electrical contractor license through the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business & Professional Licensing (DCBPL). Both the business entity and the qualifying electrical administrator must be licensed.
Read more →