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Contractor License Requirements

  • How to verify a State issued Contractor's License

  • How to be fully covered by their Surety Bond

  • How to make sure they have valid Business Liability Insurance

  • How to make sure all their helpers are covered by a valid and up-to-date 

    Worker's Compensation Insurance Policy

  • 10 Questions to ask every Installer

 

When you buy new carpet from a reputable locally-owned carpet or flooring dealer, they may have a number of installers that they use regularly and whom they have a longstanding work relationship. These installers usually are well trained, experienced and fully licensed, bonded and insured according to their state's requirements. 

 

Even if there are no state requirements, most will have at least a million dollars worth of Business Liability Insurance in force to make sure you, the customer, are fully protected from any damages that might occur during the installation of new flooring in your home. Business Liability insurance also protects the installer in the event of an accident.

 

The dealers I recommend are committed to making sure that every installer they hire and/or contract with is fully insured and licensed according to their state's requirements. The dealers I recommend also have their own business liability insurance policy. 

 

 

Beware of Flooring Installers Who Advertise on Craigslist!

 

However, if you plan to hire an independent flooring installer, it is your responsibility to make sure the installer you hire is in complete compliance with all the laws of your State. Please be proactive and don't assume that this page is fully complete, accurate and comprehensive. Check with your Local, State and Federal laws to protect yourself. Seek expert or legal advice if you are not sure of the laws and how they may affect you and your unique application or circumstances. 

 

Read on...

 

 

What Homeowners Need to Know...

 

The State Issued Contractor's License - is designed to protect homeowners from shoddy or "fly-by-night" contractors. In many states, Contractors may be required to purchase a Surety Bond and or/a General Liability Insurance Policy before the state will issue a license to conduct business within the state. 

 

You should always verify to make sure anyone you hire to do work on your home or property is licensed according to your State's requirements. 

 

Below I have posted information and requirements for contractors listed by state. I have also posted phone numbers and websites to help you verify your contractor or flooring installer before you hire them. Don't forget to check references too!

 

The Surety Bond - Basically, a Surety Bond is for the benefit of consumers who may be damaged as a result of defective or incomplete job completion; for license law violations; and for the benefit of employees (or sub-contractors) who have not been paid wages that are due to them by the general contractor. Not all states require contractors to have a surety bond, but it is an important safeguard for homeowners. 

 

If you are doing a major home project or remodel and your contractor does not have a surety bond, either find another contractor who does or speak with your attorney and get professional advice before you proceed. Learn more about Surety Bonds

 

The Contractor's Business Liability Insurance Policy - A Contractors General Liability Insurance Policy is used specifically for coverage in the construction, home remodeling and building trades. This policy pays for damages to property and persons caused by the contractor. This insurance also covers a range of issues from accidents to negligence and oversight. 

 

Important: Be sure to ask the contractor to have his insurance agent send you a Certificate of Insurance naming you as an "additional insured" on the policy before any work begins. The Certificate will verify the contractor’s Commercial General Liability and Workers Compensation insurance and should be provided to you free of charge. 

 

The Workers' Compensation Insurance Policy - Workers' compensation is a form of insurance providing wage replacement and medical benefits to employees injured in the course of employment in exchange for mandatory relinquishment of the employee's right to sue his or her employer for the tort of negligence. 

 

It is very important that your contractor and all his helpers and subcontractors are covered by a Workers Compensation policy while working on your property. Otherwise you could end up liable for medical costs and more. Below you will find websites that will help you verify your contractors' license, surety bond, liability insurance and workers' compensation policy. 

 

 

Never assume Your Installer Is Qualified!  

 

Even if the contractor you hire has a valid contractor's license, a 500,000 Surety Bond, a million dollars worth of business liability insurance and a valid workers compensation policy for all his helpers... This does not mean that he is qualified to perform the quality of work you expect!

 

You need to check and verify his references. If you are doing a serious renovation worth a lot of money, then you had better make darn sure the contractors you hire come highly recommended by people you know well and trust. Don't be afraid to visit the previous jobsites that your contractor claims to have done in the past.

 

Protect Yourself! If you are installing high-end products, you probably need to hire an installer that is super qualified and experienced in installing the same grade of high-end materials that you have purchased. 

 

This is why it is also important for you to ask for references, and verify references before you hire any contractor or carpet or flooring installer. Read my article about How to Find a Qualified Carpet or Flooring Installer

 

 

Always Verify Your Contractors License Before You Hire

 

Is your Carpet or Flooring Installer required to be Licensed, Bonded & Insured? Select your state below to see if your carpet or flooring installer is subject to State Licensing Regulations. Also check to make sure everyone working on your property is covered by a valid Workers Compensation Policy.

 

 

50-State Licensing / Workers Compensation Information:

 

AK - Contractors must be registered with the Department of Community and Economic Development.  To find out if a contractor is licensed in Alaska call (907) 465-2546 or (907) 465-3035. To Verify Worker's Compensation Insurance visit: http://labor.state.ak.us/wc/exit.html

 

AL - No state license required. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Alabama, call (334) 242-2839. 

 

AR - A state contractor's license may be required. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Arkansas, call (501) 372-4661.

 

AZ - Contractors must be licensed by the state. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Arizona call (602) 542 1525.

 

CA - Contractors must be licensed by the state. 

 

CO - No state license is required. Check for license requirements at the local level.  

 

CT - Contractors must be certified by the state. To find out if a contractor is certified in Connecticut click call (860) 713-6135. 

 

DC - Contractors must be licensed by the state.  To find out if a contractor is licensed in the District of Columbia call (202) 442-4311.

 

DE - No state license is required. Check for license requirements at the local level.

 

FL - Contractors must be registered or certified. To find out if a contractor licensed in Florida click https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp.

 

GA - A state license may be required. Call (478) 207-1416

 

 

HI - Specialty contractors must be licensed by the state. Call (808) 587-3295.

 

IA - Contractors must be licensed by the state.  To find out if a contractor is licensed in Iowa call 515-242-5871.

 

ID - No state license is required. Check for license requirements at the local level.  

 

IL - Most contractors do not need to be licensed. 

 

IN - No state license required. Check for license requirements at the local level.

 

KS - No state license required. Check for licensing requirements at the local level. 

 

KY - No state license required. Check for license requirements at the local level.

 

LA - Contractors must be licensed by the state. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Louisiana, call (800) 256-1392. 

To Verify Worker's Compensation Insurance visit: http://www.laworks.net/WorkersComp/OWC_EmployerMenu.asp

 

MA - A state license is required.

 

To Verify Worker's Compensation Insurance visit: http://64.73.26.43/Disclaimer.aspx

 

 

MD - A state license is required. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Maryland call (410) 230-6176 . To Verify Worker's Compensation Insurance visit: http://www.wcc.state.md.us/wfms/online_cvs.html

 

ME - No state license is required. Check for license requirements at the local level.

 

MI - Contractors must be licensed.  

 

MN - A state license may be required. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Minnesota, call (651) 296-6319 or (800) 657-3978. 

 

MO - No state license required. Check for license requirements at the local level.

 

MS - A certificate or license may be required. To find out if a contractor is has a certificate or license, call (800) 880-6161.

 

MT - Contractors must register with the Department of Labor and Industry if they have employees. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Montana, call (406) 444-7734.

 

NC - No state license is required. To find out if a contractor is licensed, call (919) 571-4183

 

ND - A state license may be required. To find out if a contractor is licensed in North Dakota, call (701) 328-3665.

 

NE - A state license may be required. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Nebraska call (402) 595-3189.

 

NH - No state license is required. Check for license requirements at the local level.

 

NJ - Registration is required by the state. To find out if a contractor is registered in New Jersey, call 609-984-7910.

 

NM - Construction contractors must be licensed by the state. To find out if a contractor is licensed in New Mexico, go to http://public.psiexams.com/search.jsp  or call (505) 827-7030 in Santa Fe, (505) 841-8020 in Albuquerque or (505) 524-6320 in Las Cruces.  

 

NV - A state license may be required.  To find out if a contractor is licensed in Nevada, call 702-486-1100.

 

NY - No state license is required. Check for license requirements at the local level. 

 

OH - No state license required. General construction contractors may need to be licensed at the local level. Check with the city or county for licensing requirements.

 

OK - No state license is required. To Verify Worker's Compensation Insurance visit:

 

OR - Contractors must register with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Oregon click  or call (503) 378-4621.

 

PA - No state license is required. Check for license requirements at the local level.

 

RI - A state license may be required. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Rhode Island call (401) 222-1268.

 

SC - Contractors must be licensed by the state. To find out if a contractor is licensed in South Carolina call (803) 896-4696.

 

SD - No state license required. Check for license requirements at the local level.

 

TN - Contractors must have a state license. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Tennessee call (615) 741-8307.

 

TX – No state license is required. Check with your city or county for local requirements.  

 

UT - Contractors must have a license from the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Utah click https://secure.utah.gov/llv/llv.  

 

VA - Some construction contractors must be licensed. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Virginia call (804) 367-8511

 

VT - No state license is required. Check for license requirements at the local level.

 

WA - Contractors must register with the Washington Department of Labor and Industries. To find out if a contractor is licensed in Washington, call (360) 902-5226.

 

WI - No state license required. Check for license requirements at the local level.  

 

WV - Contractors must be licensed. To find out if a contractor is licensed in West Virginia, click call (304) 558-7890 or (877) 558-5134.  

 

WY - No state license is required. Contractors are licensed at the city or county level.

 

Disclaimer: While I try hard to make sure all the information provided on this website is accurate and up-to-date, I do not guarantee that the information posted herein is complete, accurate or up-to-date since laws and regulations and websites are constantly changing. Please verify all information with your state offices or seek professional advice.  

 

Please use this website at your own risk. All information for entertainment purposes only and is the sole opinion of the author. This is not meant to be legal advice in any way and I am not a lawyer. If you need legal advice you should seek the services of an attorney.

 

 

 

 

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