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How do I verify a contractor's license number before signing?
Use the free tool — Contractor Quote Check
Why the license number on the quote isn't proof by itself
A license number written on a quote is a claim. It isn't proof until you check it. Every state licenses contractors, so before you sign anything, look up that number yourself.
Where to check it
Look up your state's contractor licensing board and search the license number or business name there. Do this before you sign, not after.
Ask for the insurance certificate too — from the insurer
A license check isn't the whole picture. Ask the contractor for their insurance certificate, but get it directly from the insurance company, not just handed to you by the contractor. That confirms the coverage is real and still active.
A related red flag: who pulls the permit
If the job clearly needs a permit — a roof, HVAC, structural work — and the quote says "permits by owner," treat that as a warning sign, not a technicality. The person who pulls the permit is the one who answers for the inspection. Ask why the contractor isn't doing it.
Two more habits before you sign anything
- Get three written bids on the exact same scope of work. It's the single best price protection homeowners have. (FTC home improvement guide)
- Any change to the work should be written down and signed before the work starts — the sentence that saves remodels.
- Deposit norms vary by state, and some states cap deposits by law. A very large deposit up front is worth double-checking no matter where you live. Never pay a large deposit in cash.
What to do next
Contractor Quote Check reads your own quote — free first look. Paste it and see each line marked clear, vague, or red flag, including permit and deposit issues, with the exact questions to send back before you sign. Nothing you paste is stored.
This is not legal or construction advice. Norms vary by state and trade. Confirm license and insurance status with your state board and the insurer directly, and check with a professional before you sign.
Contractor Quote Check reads estimates and flags common issues; it can be wrong and it is not legal or construction advice. Norms vary by state and trade. Nothing you paste is stored.