CheckLicensed Blog
Guides and research on verifying contractors before you hire.
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April 2026 · 8 min read
Organized fraud crews deploy within 48 hours of landfall and cost Americans over $10 billion annually. Learn how the hurricane contractor scam works from the inside — the deployment pattern, AOB traps, fake FEMA endorsements, and out-of-state license fraud — so you can stop it at every stage.
Read more →April 2026 · 7 min read
After Helene hit Buncombe County, 47 fraud cases and $2.3M in losses occurred in 30 days — nearly all with zero verification. This guide covers the exact mechanics of contractor verification after a storm: which database to use by state, what status codes mean, how to verify a bond, and when to check.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
ADU projects run $50,000–$250,000 and are among the most fraud-prone categories in residential contracting. Learn what license an ADU contractor needs in California and other states, how to spot scams, and what to verify before signing.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Fence contractor licensing varies wildly by state — some require a specialty license like California's C-13, others require a general contractor license, and some leave it to cities and counties. Learn what your state requires and how to verify before you sign.
Read more →April 2026 · 8 min read
No single national solar license exists. About 12 states have dedicated solar contractor classifications; most others route solar through electrical licensing. Learn what your installer must carry, what happens if they don't, and how to verify before you sign.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
FTC solar complaints jumped more than 7x between 2018 and 2023. Most scams follow a three-phase pattern: pre-contract pressure, financing traps, and post-installation shortcuts. Here's how to recognize each phase before you sign.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Florida requires remodeling contractors to hold a Certified General Contractor (CGC) or Certified Residential Contractor (CRC) license from the DBPR. Learn what each license covers, how to verify at myfloridalicense.com, and what insurance to require.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Texas has no state-level remodeling contractor license, but the specialty trades within any remodel — plumbers (TSBPE), electricians (TDLR), and HVAC technicians (TDLR) — all require state licenses. Learn what to verify before hiring.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
California requires a CSLB license for any remodeling project over $500. The primary classification is Class B General Building Contractor. Learn what to verify, what bond is required, and what happens if you hire unlicensed.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Mississippi has no statewide landscape contractor license. Pesticide applicators need MSCL certification. Large projects over $50,000 fall under the Mississippi Board of Contractors. Learn how to protect yourself before hiring.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Kansas has no statewide landscape contractor license. Pesticide applications require a Kansas Department of Agriculture license. Local cities like Wichita and Overland Park have their own registration requirements. Learn what to verify before hiring.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Utah has no specific landscape contractor license, but pesticide applicators need a DOPL license and major landscaping projects over $3,000 require a contractor license. Learn what to check at dopl.utah.gov before hiring.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Connecticut requires HIC registration for landscape hardscaping over $200 and a DCP pesticide license for chemical applications. Learn how to verify both at elicense.ct.gov and what the $20,000 bond requirement means for you.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Oregon is one of the few states with a dedicated Landscape Contractors Board (LCB). All landscape contractors must be licensed. Learn how to verify at oregon.gov/lcb, what the $10,000 bond covers, and what happens if you hire unlicensed.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Alaska requires flooring contractors to hold a general or specialty contractor license for projects over $10,000. Learn which agency to check, what classifications apply, and how to verify before you hire.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Arkansas requires contractor licensing for flooring projects over $20,000 through the ACLB. Learn which license tier applies, how to verify credentials, and what bond and insurance to require.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Washington DC requires a Home Improvement Contractor license for any flooring project worth $300 or more. Learn how to verify through DCRA and what to check before hiring.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Delaware requires home improvement contractor registration for flooring projects over $1,000. Learn how to verify registration through the Division of Revenue and what insurance to require.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Hawaii requires flooring contractors to hold a C-11 specialty license from the DCCA. Learn what this classification covers, how to verify it, and what bond and insurance requirements apply.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Idaho contractor licensing for flooring depends on project type and city. Public works requires a state license; residential rules vary by municipality. Learn what to verify before you hire.
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