How to verify a remodeler

Where to check a remodeler's license or registration in each state, which states leave licensing to cities and counties, and what to ask before you hire.

Updated October 1, 20265 checks166 official sources

Your checklist5 checks before you hire

1Check the license or registration
2Ask about insurance
3Ask about liens
4Older homes and lead-safe work
5Get the quote in writing

Most of what a remodeler tells you can be checked before work starts. Here's where to look and what to ask.

Check the license or registration

Ask for the license or registration number and the name it's issued to, then look it up. Make sure the name matches the business on your quote, or ask the remodeler to explain how they're connected.

What a remodeler needs differs by state. Some states license remodelers, some register them, some cover remodeling under a general contractor or business license, and some leave licensing to cities and counties. Several set a dollar amount below which no license is needed. The table says which, and links the state's own lookup where there is one.

State	What the state requires, and where to check
Alabama	A remodeler needs a Residential Home Builder license from the Home Builders Licensure Board to repair or improve a home when the job costs more than $10,000.^1-2 Check the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board license lookup
Alaska	Contractors must register with the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, and a general contractor altering more than 25% of the value of a home of one to four units also needs a residential contractor endorsement. A handyman registration covers projects of $10,000 or less.^3-5 Check the Alaska Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing registration lookup (it may ask you to pass a check first)
Arizona	Remodelers need a contractor license from the Registrar of Contractors, such as the B-3 General Remodeling and Repair license or the B General Residential license. Casual or minor jobs under $1,000 can be exempt, but not when the work needs a local building permit or is part of a larger job, or for someone who advertises without saying they aren't licensed.^6-7 Check the Arizona Registrar of Contractors license lookup
Arkansas	Kitchen and bath remodelers need a license from the Contractors Licensing Board's Residential Contractors Committee for single-family jobs over $2,000. A kitchen or bathroom renovation can be done under a Home Improvement license in that specialty, but structural changes or additions need a Residential Remodeler license.^8-10 The board's online search doesn't use a secure (https) connection, so we don't link it. Ask the remodeler for the license number and check it with the board
California	Remodelers need a license from the Contractors State License Board, such as the B-2 Residential Remodeling license for work in three or more unrelated trades without structural changes, or the B General Building license. Casual or minor jobs under $1,000 that don't need a building permit can be exempt.^11-13 Search the Contractors State License Board license lookup by license number
Colorado	There's no state license for remodelers. The Attorney General tells homeowners to check with their city or county that a general contractor is licensed to work there, and electrical and plumbing licenses come from the state's Department of Regulatory Agencies.¹⁴ Ask your city or county
Connecticut	Home improvement contractors must register with the Department of Consumer Protection for residential jobs over $200.^15-17 Check the Connecticut eLicense registration lookup (choose Home Improvement Contractor as the license type)
Delaware	There's no separate home improvement license. Contractors need a contractor's business license from the Division of Revenue, which requires a Department of Labor certificate of notice and proof of workers' compensation coverage.^18-19 Check the Delaware Division of Revenue license lookup, which confirms the business license, not a trade
District of Columbia	A home improvement contractor needs a Basic Business License as a Home Improvement Contractor from the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection, with a $25,000 surety bond and a licensed home improvement salesperson.^20-21 There's no open lookup form, but the Open Data DC list of basic business licenses can be filtered by business name and license category
Florida	The Construction Industry Licensing Board licenses residential, building and general contractors. Casual or minor jobs under $2,500 are exempt, and the board says cabinets, countertops, paint, wallpaper, carpet and tile don't need a state license.^22-24 Check the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation license lookup (choose how to search and press Search first)
Georgia	A remodel that coordinates several trades needs a Residential Basic or general contractor license from the State Licensing Board for Residential and Commercial General Contractors. Single-trade specialty work such as cabinets and countertops, ceramic and hard tile, or wood flooring doesn't need that license, though plumbing and electrical work still need their own trade licenses.^25-29 Check the Georgia Secretary of State license lookup
Hawaii	Kitchen and bath remodelers need a license from the Contractors License Board: a B general building license when the job takes more than two unrelated trades, or a specialty license such as the C-5 cabinet, millwork, and carpentry remodeling and repairs license. A license is required on any job over $1,500, and on any job that needs a building permit whatever the price.^30-33 Search the Hawaii Professional and Vocational Licensing license lookup by license number, or by name on the Business/Individual tab
Idaho	Remodelers must register with the Idaho Contractors Board for any job of $2,000 or more. It's a contractor registration, not a license.^34-37 Check the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses registration lookup
Illinois	There's no state license or registration for remodelers, and the Attorney General says general contractors aren't required to be licensed by the state. Roofers and plumbers do need state licenses.^38-39 Ask your city about any local license
Indiana	There's no state license for remodelers. The Attorney General says licensing requirements vary from community to community.^40-42 Ask your city or county building department
Iowa	Contractors who earn $2,000 or more a year from construction work, remodeling included, must register with the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing. It's a registration, not a license with an exam.^43-46 The department's contractor registration page links its public search
Kansas	There's no state license for remodelers, and the Attorney General says your city or county can tell you what licensing applies. Johnson County, for example, licenses residential contractors.^47-50 Ask your city or county
Kentucky	There's no state license for remodelers or general contractors. Plumbing, electrical and HVAC work need state trade licenses from the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction.^51-52 Ask your city or county what it requires
Louisiana	Remodelers need a Home Improvement license from the State Licensing Board for Contractors for jobs from $7,500 to under $50,000, and a Residential Construction license for jobs of $50,000 or more. A home improvement license doesn't cover structural work.^53-57 Check the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors license lookup (current licensees only)
Maine	There's no state license. Maine doesn't license or regulate home improvement contractors, but any home construction contract over $3,000 must be in writing and signed by both sides.^58-59 Ask your town whether it licenses contractors
Maryland	Home improvement contractors need a license from the Maryland Home Improvement Commission, which takes passing an exam and two years of experience.^60-64 Check the Maryland Home Improvement Commission license lookup (active licensees only)
Massachusetts	Contractors working on an existing owner-occupied home with one to four units must register as a Home Improvement Contractor with the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. Structural work also has to be overseen by someone holding a Construction Supervisor License from the Office of Public Safety and Inspections.^65-69 Check the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation registration lookup
Michigan	Remodelers need a Residential Builder license, or a Maintenance and Alteration Contractor license for listed trades such as carpentry or tile and marble, from the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs for jobs of $600 or more.^70-72 Check the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs license lookup
Minnesota	Remodelers who contract with a homeowner for two or more special skills need a Residential Remodeler or Residential Building Contractor license from the Department of Labor and Industry. Someone who earns no more than $15,000 a year from that work can file for a certificate of exemption instead.^73-76 Check the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry license lookup (choose Continue as Guest, then Search License/Registration Holders)
Mississippi	Remodelers need a Residential Remodeler license from the State Board of Contractors when improvements to an existing home cost more than $10,000.^77-80 Check the Mississippi State Board of Contractors license lookup
Missouri	There's no state license for home improvement or general contractors. Some cities license them, such as Kansas City, which certifies residential building supervisors.^81-82 Ask your city or county
Montana	Since January 1, 2026, contractors with employees need a Construction Contractor License from the Department of Labor and Industry, which replaced the old registration. Jobs under $2,500 and independent contractors with no employees are exempt.^83-88 Check the Montana Department of Labor and Industry license lookup (choose Construction Contractor Program in the list)
Nebraska	Nebraska doesn't license remodelers, but every contractor has to register with the Department of Labor before doing construction work. Someone earning less than $5,000 a year from construction work isn't covered.^89-90 Check the Nebraska Department of Labor registration lookup
Nevada	Kitchen and bath remodelers need a State Contractors Board license, typically B-7 Residential Remodeling or B-2 Residential and Small Commercial. Repair or maintenance work under $1,000 can be exempt, but not when it needs a building permit, is plumbing, electrical or HVAC work, or is part of a larger job.^91-92 Check the Nevada State Contractors Board license lookup (results show each license's classification)
New Hampshire	There's no state license or registration for home improvement or general contractors.⁹³ Ask your town whether it licenses contractors
New Jersey	Home improvement contractor businesses register with the Division of Consumer Affairs, with no dollar threshold. A 2024 law adds individual licenses from a new State Board of Home Improvement and Home Elevation Contractors, required six months after the board adopts its rules.^94-96 Check the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs registration lookup (choose Business Search)
New Mexico	Remodelers need a contractor license from the Construction Industries Division, usually GB-2 Residential or GB-98 General Building. A handyman doing casual, minor work worth no more than $7,200 a year is exempt, but not for electrical, plumbing or gas work.^97-99 Check the New Mexico Construction Industries Division license lookup. PSI runs the page, and it doesn't carry New Mexico branding
New York	There's no state license for remodelers. New York City and Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties license home improvement contractors.^100-102 Ask your city or county
North Carolina	Kitchen and bath remodelers need a general contractor license from the Licensing Board for General Contractors when the job costs $40,000 or more. For home work that's the Residential or Building classification.^103-105 Check the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors license lookup
North Dakota	There's no separate remodeling license. Anyone doing a job worth more than $4,000 needs a contractor license (Class A, B, C or D) from the Secretary of State.^106-107 Search the North Dakota Secretary of State license lookup by name
Ohio	There's no state license for home improvement contractors, but many Ohio cities license them.^108-109 Ask your city
Oklahoma	There's no state license for general contractors or remodelers. Plumbing, electrical and mechanical contractors need a Construction Industries Board license, and some cities, such as Oklahoma City, make building contractors register.^110-112 Ask your city
Oregon	Kitchen and bath remodelers need a license from the Construction Contractors Board with a residential endorsement, which takes training and a test on business practices and construction law. Only casual, minor jobs under $1,000 by someone who doesn't advertise as a contractor are exempt.^113-114 Check the Oregon Construction Contractors Board license lookup
Pennsylvania	Kitchen and bath remodelers must register with the Attorney General's Office as home improvement contractors before working on a home for more than $500. Contractors whose home improvement work totaled less than $5,000 in the previous tax year are exempt.^115-117 Check the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General registration lookup
Rhode Island	Kitchen and bath remodelers need a certificate of registration from the Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board. Only casual, minor jobs under $500 by someone who doesn't advertise as a contractor are exempt.^118-122 Check the Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board registration lookup
South Carolina	A home repair or improvement job over $5,000 needs a Residential Builder license, issued after an exam by the Residential Builders Commission. A single-trade specialty contractor on a job over $500 needs that commission's specialty license or registration.^123-126 Check the South Carolina Residential Builders Commission license lookup (it needs your browser's cookies on)
South Dakota	There's no state license for remodeling contractors, though every contractor needs a contractor's excise tax license from the Department of Revenue. Cities license builders: Sioux Falls requires a Residential Building Contractor's License for permitted work on homes.^127-130 Ask your city
Tennessee	A remodeler who contracts directly with you for a job of $25,000 or more needs a contractor's license from the Board for Licensing Contractors, which takes a Business and Law exam. In Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Haywood, Knox, Marion, Robertson, Rutherford and Shelby counties, residential remodeling from $3,000 to $24,999 needs that board's Home Improvement license.^131-133 Check the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors license lookup
Texas	There's no state license for remodeling contractors. Cities register contractors who pull permits, such as Fort Worth, and the plumbing, electrical and HVAC parts of a job need state-licensed trades.^134-136 Ask your city
Utah	Remodelers need a contractor license from the Division of Professional Licensing for jobs of $7,000 or more, labor and materials included. The R101 Residential and Small Commercial Non Structural Remodeling and Repair license covers projects of $50,000 or less with no changes to bearing walls, footings or foundation.^137-140 Check the Utah Division of Professional Licensing license lookup
Vermont	Contractors need a Residential Contractor registration with the Office of Professional Regulation before contracting with a homeowner for residential work worth more than $10,000, labor and materials included. It's a registration, not a license, and licensed trades like plumbers and electricians working within their license are exempt.^141-143 Check the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation registration lookup
Virginia	Kitchen and bath remodelers need a Class A, B or C contractor license from the Board for Contractors, with the Home Improvement (HIC) specialty or the Residential Building (RBC) classification, for jobs over $1,000. The HIC specialty doesn't cover electrical, plumbing, HVAC or gas fitting work.^144-148 Check the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation license lookup (it may ask you to pass a check first)
Washington	Remodelers must be registered as contractors with the Department of Labor and Industries, bonded and insured. Casual, minor jobs under $500 are exempt, unless they're part of a larger job or the person advertises as a contractor. A registered handyman can only do minor repair work under $2,000 that needs no building permit.^149-152 Check the Washington Department of Labor and Industries registration lookup (choose how to search in the Search by list first)
West Virginia	Kitchen and bath remodelers need a contractor license from the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board for residential jobs of $5,000 or more. The Residential classification covers all residential work, and the Remodeling and Repair classification is limited to jobs of $40,000 or less.^153-157 Check the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board license lookup
Wisconsin	Any contractor who pulls a building permit for work on a one or two family home needs a Dwelling Contractor certification from the Department of Safety and Professional Services, renewed each year with continuing education. Milwaukee also licenses home improvement contractors.^158-160 Check the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services license lookup for a dwelling contractor
Wyoming	There's no state license for remodelers. Cities and counties license contractors, such as Cheyenne's Contractor Licensing Board and Casper's Community Development Department, and since 2024 they must recognize each other's contractor licenses.^161-163 Ask your city or county

If a license or registration doesn't show up, check the spelling and try the number, then ask the remodeler. Some lookups list current licensees only. Each state's rules page, such as California's, Massachusetts's, Texas's and Virginia's, covers the license along with the state's contract, deposit and permit rules. Find yours from the home page.

If the job includes plumbing, electrical or gas work, ask who'll do that part and which license they hold. Some states license those trades separately even where they don't license remodelers.

Ask about insurance

Ask for a certificate of insurance showing general liability and workers' compensation, and ask for it to name you. Then call the insurer or agent on the certificate and ask whether the policy is active and covers remodeling work.

If the remodeler says they don't need workers' compensation, ask why, and ask who pays if someone is hurt on your property.

Ask about liens

A mechanic's lien is a hold against your property, recorded with the county recorder, by an unpaid contractor, subcontractor, laborer or supplier. If it isn't paid, it can lead to a foreclosure that forces the property's sale, and you can end up paying a subcontractor or supplier even if you've already paid your contractor.¹⁶⁴ A lien waiver is a statement signed by a subcontractor giving up the right to file a lien against your property.¹⁶⁵

Ask the remodeler which subcontractors and suppliers will work on the job, and ask for a lien waiver from each before you make a payment that covers their work.

Older homes and lead-safe work

If your home was built before 1978, any firm paid to do renovations that disturb paint has to be certified for that work.¹⁶⁶ Ask for the firm's lead-safe certification and the name of the certified renovator on your job. The permit guide covers the lead-safe rules, and which states run their own program.

Get the quote in writing

Ask each remodeler for a written quote that says:

The work, room by room, and the materials, by brand and model where there is one.
Whether demolition, disposal, repairs to what's found behind the walls, and cleanup are included.
Who applies for any permit, and whether the fee is in the price.
What the warranty covers, on the materials and on the work, and for how long.
How much of a deposit they want, and when the rest is due. The contracts guide covers what some states limit, and your right to cancel.

Compare quotes line by line, and ask for anything missing to be priced. The cost guides for kitchens, cabinets and countertops, bathrooms and tub-to-shower conversions show published ranges for common jobs, and the timeline guide covers how long they take.

When you're ready, you can ask for quotes from remodelers near you.

License lookups and licensing rules from state licensing boards, agencies and legislatures, city and county governments, and the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, checked October 2026.