Before they arrive
Every state publishes a register. Checking takes two minutes and almost nobody does it.
Licensing is a state matter and the requirements differ sharply, but every state publishes a way to look up who holds what. Ask for the licence number and the name it is registered under before the visit, then check it yourself rather than accepting a card.
(888) 217-5329 Call about water damageConnects you with an independent contractor about new work. Calls may be recorded.
Where the register is
Each state runs its own, usually through a contractors board, a department of labour or a licensing agency. NASCLA, the association those agencies belong to, is the quickest route to the right one for your state when you do not already know it.
Some states license mold work separately from general contracting. New York and Texas both do, and a general contractor licence does not cover mold remediation there.
What to check besides the number
Four things: that the licence is current rather than expired, that the name on it matches the name on the invoice, that the category covers the work being done, and whether there are disciplinary actions on the record. The third is the one people miss.
A licence held by a different entity from the one invoicing you is common and is worth asking about. Sometimes it is a group structure; sometimes it is someone borrowing a number.
Why this matters for the claim, not only the work
Insurers can and do question work done by an unlicensed contractor where licensing was required. You may also find that guarantees and any recourse you thought you had rest on the licence existing. The least expensive moment to discover a problem is before the work.
Ask for a certificate of insurance as well, naming the contractor and showing general liability cover in force. Ask that it be sent by the insurer or the broker rather than handed to you as a photocopy.
What to check, by situation
The check is the same; what you are protecting differs.
- 01You own and live here. Check before the visit, not after. Ask for the number when you book, which is also a useful test of how the firm responds.
- 02You own it and rent it out. You carry the liability for who you send into an occupied home. Keep a copy of the licence and the insurance certificate on file.
- 03You are dealing with an insurer. Some insurers maintain preferred contractor programmes. Using one is optional, and the same checks are still worth doing.
- 04You rent here. You are not hiring anyone, but you may be the only person in the building when they arrive. Ask to see identification and a licence at the door.
Connects you with an independent contractor about new work. Calls may be recorded.
What to ask before you agree to anything
Ask these of whoever turns up. A contractor who answers them plainly is the one you want; a contractor who will not is telling you something.
- 01What is your licence number and the exact name it is registered under?
- 02Which category does it cover, and does that include the work you are quoting?
- 03Can your insurer or broker send me the certificate of insurance directly?
- 04Is the entity on the invoice the same one that holds the licence?
- 05Are there any disciplinary actions on your record I would find?
- 06Which state register should I be looking at for this work?
Have this ready before you call
Three facts move the first minute past the formalities: what happened, when it started, and whether water is still moving. These add the detail that decides what gets loaded on the van.
- The state the property is in
- The exact company name as given to you
- What work is being proposed: drying, mold removal, rebuild
- Whether an insurer has nominated the contractor
- A note of who you spoke to and when
- Whether the work needs a permit, which is a separate check
Connects you with an independent contractor about new work. Calls may be recorded.
Where these figures come from
Every number on this page is published by someone other than us, and each link goes to their own text rather than to a summary of it.