Guides and research on verifying contractors before you hire.
864 articles · Page 5 of 44
April 2026 · 7 min read
Contractors give fake license numbers more often than homeowners expect. Here's what fake license claims look like, how to verify a number is real, and what expired vs. revoked vs. suspended actually means.
Read more →April 2026 · 8 min read
The FTC puts the median contractor fraud loss at $2,800. Here's exactly what to do when a contractor disappears with your money — from immediate steps to small claims court to bond claims.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
California's CSLB covers all of LA, but you also need to check LADBS for permit history. Learn how to search CSLB by name, what Active status really means, and the most common issues LA homeowners encounter.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Texas has no statewide general contractor license — which surprises most Houston homeowners. Here's what that means for your risk, which specialty trades do require TDLR licensing, and how to actually verify who you're hiring.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Illinois has no statewide GC license, but Chicago runs its own system through BACP. Learn what types of Chicago contractor licenses exist, how to search the portal, and what to do when a contractor isn't in the system.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Florida's DBPR at MyFloridaLicense.com is the state database, but Miami also has county-level licensing. Learn the difference between Certified and Registered contractors, what CGC/CBC/CRC prefixes mean, and how to verify permits.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
NYC uses two separate systems — DCWP for Home Improvement Contractor licenses and DOB for permits and contractor registration. Learn how to search both portals and what to do when a contractor has an HIC but no permit.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Arizona's Registrar of Contractors at azroc.gov is one of the best state databases in the country — it even shows complaint history. Learn how to search it, read license classifications like B-1 and A-General, and interpret what you find.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Texas has no statewide GC license, but Dallas has its own contractor registration through Development Services. Learn how to check both, what the Dallas registration number actually means, and how to verify specialty trades through TDLR.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
CSLB.ca.gov covers all of San Diego, but there are unique factors here: C-39 roofing licenses matter more in SD than almost anywhere, and some contractors operate across the Tijuana border without a CSLB license. Here's what to check.
Read more →April 2026 · 8 min read
Most states require roofers to hold a valid license before working on your home. Learn what license is required in California, Florida, Texas, and 12 more states — and what to check before you hire.
Read more →April 2026 · 9 min read
All 50 states require electricians to be licensed — making electrical the most universally regulated trade in the U.S. Learn the license tiers, state-by-state requirements, and why permits matter before you hire.
Read more →April 2026 · 9 min read
All 50 states require plumbers to be licensed. Water damage is the #1 homeowner insurance claim, and unlicensed plumbing work can void your coverage. Here's what license to require in every major state.
Read more →April 2026 · 10 min read
Most states require HVAC contractors to be licensed, and all 50 states require EPA 608 certification for refrigerant handling. Learn what to verify before hiring — state license, EPA cert, and manufacturer credentials.
Read more →April 2026 · 9 min read
Yes — and in California, the law voids the contract entirely so the contractor can't collect payment even for completed work. Here's what your options are, state by state.
Read more →April 2026 · 9 min read
A mechanic's lien is a legal claim against your property's title for unpaid work or materials — and subcontractors you've never met can file one. Here's how liens work and what to do if one is filed.
Read more →April 2026 · 10 min read
When a contractor abandons your project, the first 48 hours matter. Document everything, send a certified-mail demand, file a licensing board complaint, and know how to use their surety bond to recover your money.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
New York has no statewide plumber license — NYC plumbers are licensed by the NYC Department of Buildings. Here's how to look up a plumber's license, what Master vs. Journeyman means, and the cost of hiring unlicensed.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
New York has no statewide HVAC license. NYC has specific DOB license requirements depending on the equipment type. Here's how to verify HVAC credentials in New York and what to require regardless of local rules.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Pennsylvania has no standalone roofing license, but all residential roofers must register under HICPA with the PA Attorney General — including a mandatory $50,000 surety bond. Here's how to verify registration and what it protects you from.
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