Contractors
Contractors can make your life easier or they can be a royal pain in the butt.
Does It Matter If a Contractor Isn’t Licensed?
Q: Does it matter if a contractor isn’t licensed? Can’t he do a good job one way or the other? A: Sure, he (or she) can. A piece of paper does not a contractor make. In fact, many states do not even license contractors. Surprising, huh? They may have licenses for specialized trades–electrical, asbestos removal, HVAC,... »
State General Contractor License Check
This is a list of sites where you can check on general contractor licensing. Alabama http://www.genconbd.state.al.us Alaska http://www.dced.state.ak.us/occ Arizona http://www.rc.state.az.us Arkansas http://www.state.ar.us/clb California http://www.cslb.ca.gov Colorado http://www.dora.state.co.us/registrations/index.htm Connecticut http://www.dcp.state.ct.us/licensing/ Delaware http://www.state.de.us/revenue District of Columbia N/A Florida http://www.state.fl.us/dbpr/pro/cilb/cilb_index.shtml Georgia http://www.sos.state.ga.us/plb/construct Hawaii http://www.state.hi.us/dcca/pvl Idaho http://www.2.state.id.us/dbs/dbs_index.html Illinois http://www.dpr.state.il.us Indiana http://www.IN.gov/pla/ Iowa http://www.iowaworkforce.org/labor/index.html Kansas http://www.ksrevenue.org/ Kentucky http://hbc.ppr.ky.gov/ Louisiana None Maine http://www.state.me.us/dep/index.shtml Maryland http://www.dllr.state.md.us Massachusetts http://www.state.ma.us/bbrs/hic.htm Michigan http://www.michigan.gov/cis Minnesota http://www.state.mn.us/cgi-bin/portal/mn/jsp/home.do?agency=Commerce Mississippi http://www.msboc.state.ms.us/ Missouri http://www.sos.state.mo.us/ Montana http://erd.dli.state.mt.us/ Nebraska http://www.dol.state.ne.us/ Nevada http://nscb.state.nv.us/ New Hampshire http://www.state.nh.us/sos/ New Jersey http://www.state.nj.us/dca/index.html New Mexico http://www.rld.state.nm.us New York http://www.dos.state.ny.us/ North Carolina http://www.nclbgc.org North Dakota http://www.state.nd.us/sec Ohio http://www.com.state.oh.us/ODOC/dic/dicocieb.htm Oklahoma http://oktax.state.ok.us/oktax/ Oregon http://www.ccb.state.or.us Pennsylvania http://www.dgs.state.pa.us/ Rhode Island http://www.crb.state.ri.us South Carolina http://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/ResidentialBuilders/ South Dakota http://www.state.sd.us/sos/sos.htm Tennessee http://www.state.tn.us/commerce/boards/contractors/index.html Texas http://www.license.state.tx.us/ Utah http://www.commerce.state.ut.us Vermont http://www.sec.state.vt.us Virginia http://www.state.va.us/dpor/indexie.html Washington https://wws2.wa.gov/lni/bbip/contractor.asp Wisconsin http://www.commerce.state.wi.us/SB/SB-DivProgramsListed.html Wyoming http://wyofire.state.wy.us/ »
How to Save on Remodeling Costs
Saving on remodeling costs means following a few simple guidelines. Build Up or In, Rather Than Out Additions involve costly foundation work. If your existing house will take a second story, this is cheaper than building outward (and taking up more of your yard). Also, look for ways to build within the existing house.... »
Questions to Ask the Remodeling Contractor
Ask these initial questions before signing anything with the home improvement contractor or general contractor: 1. Are you licensed or registered in my state? At the very least, the contractors should be licensed/registered in states where this is required. Also, the contractor should have a clear record. 2. Do you... »
How to Lower Your Contractor Costs with Sweat Equity
Unless you’re as rich as a billionaire, you’ll be less than excited about paying those 18%-25% contractor commissions. Here are a few suggestions about ways to lower your contractor costs by doing some of the work yourself: otherwise known as sweat equity. 1. Tell; Don’t Ask Permission The contractor doesn’t want... »
State Remodeling Contractor License Check
Want to see if a home remodeling contractor is licensed at the state level? You’re at the right place. This list covers primarily the specific category of license called home remodeling contractor license. This title differs from state to state. For example, in some states it may be called a home improvement contractor license or... »