Clear House

Planning guide

How to choose a home improvement contractor

Published by Clear House · Updated

Short answer

Choose a contractor who can show the license your state requires for the job, current insurance, a clear written quote, and a reasonable payment schedule. Check reviews you trust, and be wary of pressure to sign on the spot or pay most of the price up front.

Licensing rules vary by state and trade. For example, Georgia does not license roofers or painters at the state level, while South Carolina's Residential Builders Commission licenses or registers residential builders and specialty contractors.

Key points

  • Get the scope, price, schedule and payment terms in writing.
  • Verify a license yourself on the state website instead of trusting a number on a card.
  • Ask for a certificate of insurance.
  • Do not make the final payment until the work is done to your satisfaction.

Checklist before you hire

  • License or registration, if required for this trade in your state and city.
  • General liability insurance and, if they have employees, workers' compensation.
  • Experience with projects like yours; ask for recent examples.
  • A written quote that lists what is and is not included.
  • Who pulls the permit.
  • Warranty terms for labor and materials.
  • A payment schedule tied to progress, not a large upfront payment.

Red flags

  • Pressure to sign today to get a special price.
  • Cash-only payment or a large deposit before any materials arrive.
  • No written contract, or a contract with blanks.
  • Asking you to pull the permit for work they will do.
  • Unsolicited door-to-door offers after a storm.

License lookups for Clear House's first markets

South Carolina: search the SC LLR Residential Builders Commission for residential builders and specialty contractors.

Georgia: residential and general contractors are licensed by the state; plumbers, electricians and HVAC contractors are licensed by the Construction Industry Licensing Board. Roofers, painters, drywall contractors and handymen are not licensed by the state, but most cities and counties require a local business license.

How Clear House approaches this

Clear House reviews pros before they appear in matching, and pros agree to keep required licenses and insurance current. You should still verify a pro yourself before work begins. Clear House is a marketplace, not the contractor.

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Sources

  1. U.S. Federal Trade Commission — How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam — Advice on licenses, insurance, written estimates, contracts and down payments.
  2. South Carolina LLR — Residential Builders Commission (license and registration lookup)
  3. Georgia Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division — Home Improvement — States that roofers, painters, drywall contractors and handymen are not licensed by the state.

Related

Clear House is a marketplace, not a contractor. Costs on this page are published averages or planning ranges, not quotes, and your price will differ. Always confirm licensing, insurance and permits with the pro you hire.