Here Are Six Options For Verifying A Contractor License and Reputation....

As a homeowner, the thought of letting a stranger enter your home and start work can be a bit daunting. You want to make sure that the person you hire to do the job is reliable, skilled, and most importantly, licensed. In the state of Michigan, hiring a licensed contractor is not only recommended but also required by law. In this blog post, we will guide you through the steps on how to find out if a contractor is licensed in the state of Michigan.

Option 1: Simply Ask For the License, You Have the Right to do so..

Licensed Builders will have no issue giving you the information.  The State provides licensed builders with handy business card sized licenses that you can carry in your wallet. That is not to say they will have it on hand, because it is flimsy paper. They may have a photo of the smaller license. If you visit the Contractors place of business, they are required to have the information posted.  Here is an example of the smaller wallet sized cards.

Option 2: Look for the Contractor's License Number

The first step in determining if a contractor is licensed in the state of Michigan is to look for their license number. A licensed contractor is required by law to display their license number on all their advertising materials, including business cards, websites, and service trucks. Once you have their license number, you can check it against the state's licensing board database.

If The Contractor Operates A Business, They Must Also Have a Company Builder License

So if you are hiring a contractor and you can't find them using their name, you may want to try looking them up under a business name. In the State of Michigan, if you operate as a business entity, you must also maintain a company builder license like you see below (Which happens to be mine). 

Option 3: Check the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) Website

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) website is an excellent resource for homeowners looking to verify a contractor's license. The website provides information on licenses for a range of professions, including builders, electricians, and plumbers. To conduct a search, simply enter the contractor's license number or their name, and the database will provide you with all the relevant information. You can Google It...

Here is what the search result looks like...

Once you get to the website, look for "Skilled Trades"

There are A LOT of regulated industries in Michigan, so you will have to scroll down or click on "Skilled Trades", it will bring you to this location.

Next you have to give the search some information:

1. You may have their license number, then you can enter that and verify the license.
2. You may have their first name and last name, you can look up the license that way.
3. You may have their company name, you can look up the license that way.

The State of Michigan wants you to be able to find the information easily and I have used this several times and find it rather simple to use. Give the search the information you have and click "Search".

This is what the results should look like. If you get no results, either you don't have the correct information, or they simply don't have a license.

You can see above that there are two James Hovey's licensed, mine is James P. and the other James is my Dad.  I did this intentionally so you could see how the system will show you multiple trades even if you didn't identify the trade in the beginning. The system doesn't need a lot of information.  Next, we will try by company name, and here is what it looks like:

After hitting search, this is what the result looks like:

The system is relatively easy to use.

Option 4: Verify the Contractor's Insurance Coverage

In addition to being licensed, a contractor's insurance coverage is equally important. A contractor should have both liability and worker's compensation insurance coverage. Without these, homeowners may be held liable for any damages or injuries that may occur during the project. So, it's important to ask the contractor to provide a certificate of insurance before hiring them. Here is what the certificate should look like.  Notice on the bottom left, I blocked out the name, but you should request to have your name(s) added and address to a valid certificate.

Option 5: Look for Online Reviews

Another great way to assess a contractor's reputation is to look for online reviews. Nowadays, there are several online platforms, including Google, Yelp and HomeAdvisor, where consumers can leave ratings and reviews for contractors. These reviews can provide insight into the contractor's reliability, customer service, and overall quality of work. However, it's essential to take online reviews with a grain of salt as some may be biased and not entirely representative of the contractor's work.

Step 5: Ask for References

Finally, you can ask the contractor for references. A qualified contractor should be more than willing to provide references from previous clients. Contacting these references can give you first-hand insight into the contractor's work ethic, communication skills, and timeliness.

Conclusion:

Hiring a licensed contractor in the state of Michigan is crucial for the safety of homeowners. Fortunately, finding out if a contractor is licensed is a relatively straightforward process. The State makes it easy to find the information but the unlicensed contractor may not want you to know that!

By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you can ensure that you're hiring a qualified and trustworthy contractor for your project. Remember, doing your due diligence before hiring a contractor can save you time, money, and potential headaches down the road.