April 2026 · 9 min read
Can I Sue an Unlicensed Contractor?
Yes — and in California, the law voids the contract entirely so the contractor can't collect payment even for completed work. Here's what your options are, state by state.
Read more →CheckLicensed Blog
Contractor verification guides
Guides and research on verifying contractors before you hire.
Page 6 of 44
April 2026 · 9 min read
What Is a Mechanic's Lien? How Contractors Can Put a Lien on Your Home
A mechanic's lien is a legal claim against your property's title for unpaid work or materials — and subcontractors you've never met can file one. Here's how liens work and what to do if one is filed.
Read more →April 2026 · 10 min read
Contractor Didn't Finish the Job: What to Do
When a contractor abandons your project, the first 48 hours matter. Document everything, send a certified-mail demand, file a licensing board complaint, and know how to use their surety bond to recover your money.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Licensed Plumber in New York: How to Verify Before You Hire
New York has no statewide plumber license — NYC plumbers are licensed by the NYC Department of Buildings. Here's how to look up a plumber's license, what Master vs. Journeyman means, and the cost of hiring unlicensed.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Licensed HVAC Contractor in New York: How to Verify Before You Hire
New York has no statewide HVAC license. NYC has specific DOB license requirements depending on the equipment type. Here's how to verify HVAC credentials in New York and what to require regardless of local rules.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Licensed Roofer in Pennsylvania: How to Verify Before You Hire
Pennsylvania has no standalone roofing license, but all residential roofers must register under HICPA with the PA Attorney General — including a mandatory $50,000 surety bond. Here's how to verify registration and what it protects you from.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Licensed Electrician in Pennsylvania: How to Verify Before You Hire
Pennsylvania has no statewide electrician license — licensing is municipal. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have their own systems. Here's how to verify electrical credentials in PA, including HICPA registration that applies statewide.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Licensed Plumber in Pennsylvania: How to Verify Before You Hire
Pennsylvania licenses plumbers statewide through the PA State Plumbing Board at dos.pa.gov. Residential plumbers also need HICPA registration with a $50,000 bond. Here's how to verify both and what each protects you from.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Licensed HVAC Contractor in Pennsylvania: How to Verify Before You Hire
Pennsylvania has no statewide HVAC license, but residential HVAC contractors must register under HICPA with a $50,000 bond. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have additional local requirements. Here's what to verify before hiring.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Licensed Roofer in Illinois: How to Verify Before You Hire
Illinois requires a statewide Roofing Contractor license through IDFPR — one of the stronger roofing license laws in the country. Here's how to look up a roofer's IDFPR license, what each status means, and the $10,000 bond requirement.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Licensed Electrician in Illinois: How to Verify Before You Hire
Illinois electrician licensing is split between IDFPR statewide and a separate Chicago Department of Buildings system — here's how to verify credentials in both, plus what bond and insurance requirements apply.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Licensed Plumber in Illinois: How to Verify Before You Hire
Illinois licenses plumbers statewide through IDFPR — here's how to search the database, what the $10,000 bond requirement means, and what to check before hiring.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Licensed HVAC Contractor in Illinois: How to Verify Before You Hire
Illinois requires HVAC contractors to be licensed through IDFPR — here's how to verify credentials, what EPA Section 608 certification means, and what insurance to require before any equipment installation.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Licensed Roofer in Ohio: How to Verify Before You Hire
Ohio requires a roofing contractor license through the OCILB for projects over $5,000 — here's how to search the eLicense database, what the $25,000 bond covers, and how to avoid storm-chaser fraud.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Licensed Electrician in Ohio: How to Verify Before You Hire
Ohio electrician licensing is handled locally, not statewide — here's how to verify credentials in Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, and what to do when a contractor works across jurisdictions.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Licensed Plumber in Ohio: How to Verify Before You Hire
Ohio has no statewide plumber license — plumbing is regulated locally in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and beyond. Here's how to verify credentials in each city before hiring.
Read more →April 2026 · 6 min read
Licensed HVAC Contractor in Ohio: How to Verify Before You Hire
Ohio HVAC contractors must be licensed through the OCILB — a single statewide database makes verification straightforward. Here's how to search eLicense, what the $25,000 bond covers, and what else to check before a system replacement.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Licensed Roofer in Georgia: How to Verify Before You Hire
Georgia requires roofing contractors to hold a state license. Learn which license class covers your project, how to verify at verify.sos.ga.gov, and what bond and insurance to require before any roofer starts work.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Licensed Electrician in Georgia: How to Verify Before You Hire
Georgia licenses electricians through the Georgia State Electrical Board at sos.ga.gov. Learn the difference between Journeyman and Master Electrician licenses, how to verify at verify.sos.ga.gov, and what insurance to require.
Read more →April 2026 · 5 min read
Licensed Plumber in Georgia: How to Verify Before You Hire
Georgia licenses plumbers through the Georgia State Plumbing Board at sos.ga.gov. Learn how to verify a plumber's license at verify.sos.ga.gov, what the Journeyman vs. Master distinction means, and what insurance to require.
Read more →Ready to verify your contractor?
License, complaints, BBB, and reviews — one report, under an hour.
Verify my contractor — $14.99