Residential general contractor: licensing requirements

A residential general contractor is the person hired by a homeowner to handle a construction project. The residential general contractor coordinates and directs all the subcontractors, and acts as the project manager. A good residential general contractor knows the business, including the laws and regulations that govern construction, manages his or her time well and has strong interpersonal skills.

A professional residential general contractor will also be licensed. Most states require it, and when hiring a residential general contractor it just makes good sense to make sure the person you’re paying to do the job has a license to do the job. Without a license if a problem arises you have no recourse for action.

Qualified contractors are certified by the board and have a building contractor’s license. Each state has its own licensing boards for contractors and has a database of license holders. The general requirements of each state ranges from simple registration to a detailed certification process. For licensing requirements in your state check: www.contractors-license.org/

All construction contractors also require personal liability, property damage and workers’ compensation coverage. Ask to see copies of all documents and make sure they are current. Without current coverage you could be held liable for any injuries or damages that may occur during construction.

Choosing someone you know or opting for a cheaper contractor is never worth it if they don’t have a license and coverage in place. By choosing a contractor with an up-to-date license you are protecting yourself and the person you hire.