Before a deposit, verify more than the license number.
The commercial answer is a checklist: legal business name, active status, trade scope, complaints or discipline, permit path, and warning signs before money changes hands.
Hiring guide
Check a contractor before paying a deposit
Verify license status, complaint history, bond/insurance requirements, and contract identity before sending money.
Quick answer
Verify contractor license status, business-name match, complaints, trade scope, and local permit requirements before paying a deposit.
Minimum verification checklist
- Match the legal business name to the proposal or contract.
- Confirm active status and expiration date.
- Check classification, scope, and trade limits.
- Look for discipline, complaint, bond, or insurance notes where official sources provide them.
- Confirm local permits and registrations for the project location.