CheckLicensed Blog
Guides and research on verifying contractors before you hire.
Page 7 of 45
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.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Pennsylvania has no statewide electrician license — licensing is municipal. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have their own systems. Here's how to verify electrical credentials in PA, including HICPA registration that applies statewide.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Pennsylvania licenses plumbers statewide through the PA State Plumbing Board at dos.pa.gov. Residential plumbers also need HICPA registration with a $50,000 bond. Here's how to verify both and what each protects you from.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Pennsylvania has no statewide HVAC license, but residential HVAC contractors must register under HICPA with a $50,000 bond. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have additional local requirements. Here's what to verify before hiring.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Illinois requires a statewide Roofing Contractor license through IDFPR — one of the stronger roofing license laws in the country. Here's how to look up a roofer's IDFPR license, what each status means, and the $10,000 bond requirement.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Illinois electrician licensing is split between IDFPR statewide and a separate Chicago Department of Buildings system — here's how to verify credentials in both, plus what bond and insurance requirements apply.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Illinois licenses plumbers statewide through IDFPR — here's how to search the database, what the $10,000 bond requirement means, and what to check before hiring.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Illinois requires HVAC contractors to be licensed through IDFPR — here's how to verify credentials, what EPA Section 608 certification means, and what insurance to require before any equipment installation.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Ohio requires a roofing contractor license through the OCILB for projects over $5,000 — here's how to search the eLicense database, what the $25,000 bond covers, and how to avoid storm-chaser fraud.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Ohio electrician licensing is handled locally, not statewide — here's how to verify credentials in Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, and what to do when a contractor works across jurisdictions.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Ohio has no statewide plumber license — plumbing is regulated locally in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and beyond. Here's how to verify credentials in each city before hiring.
Read more →License, complaints, BBB, and reviews — one report, under an hour.
Verify my contractor — $25