Guides

Two papers to ask for before work starts

A license lookup takes two minutes. A certificate of insurance takes one phone call.

Before anyone starts work on your house, ask for two documents. Good contractors hand them over without blinking, because they get asked all the time.

One: the license

Licensing rules differ by state and by trade. Some states license general contractors, some only specific trades such as electrical, plumbing, roofing or HVAC, and some leave it to counties or cities.

Where a license is required, there is usually a free online lookup run by the state. Search the company name or license number. It takes two minutes and shows whether the license is active and sometimes whether there are complaints.

Two: the certificate of insurance

A certificate of insurance is a one-page summary from the contractor's insurer. It shows that they carry general liability coverage, which pays if their work damages your property.

If they have employees, ask about workers' compensation too. It covers a worker who gets hurt on your job. Rules for very small companies and sole owners vary by state.

You can ask for the certificate to be sent to you directly by the insurance agent. That is a normal request and takes the contractor one phone call.

What excuses tell you

"It's in the truck," "my guy has it," "nobody ever asks for that." If you get excuses instead of paperwork, that is your answer. The contractors worth hiring are the ones who make this part easy.