US
Tradespeople and home repair in the US
Builders, plumbers, electricians, roofers and more. What to check in the US, our guides for this section, and a quick way to get quotes.
What matters in the US
Key points from our guides. Each card links to the full section.
State and local licensing
Licensing in the US happens at several levels:
From: Hiring contractors and professionals in the USBonding
A contractor's bond is a form of financial guarantee, usually provided by a surety company. In some states a licence bond is required to get a licence. If the contractor breaks certain rules or fails to complete work, you may be able to make a claim against the bond.
From: Hiring contractors and professionals in the USInsurance
Ask for certificates of insurance, and check they are current and in the company's name:
From: Hiring contractors and professionals in the USPermits and inspections
Most structural, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work needs a building permit from your city or county building department, followed by inspections at set stages. Permits protect you: inspectors check the work meets local codes, and unpermitted work can cause problems with insurance claims and when you sell.
From: Hiring contractors and professionals in the USLiens and lien waivers
In the US, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers who are not paid can often place a mechanic's lien on your property. This can happen even if you paid your main contractor in full, if the contractor did not pay the people below them.
From: Hiring contractors and professionals in the USConsumer protection and complaints
Each state has an attorney general's office , and many have a separate consumer protection agency. These offices take complaints, publish warnings about scams and can explain your rights, including any cancellation rights for contracts signed at home.
From: Hiring contractors and professionals in the USReviews and lead sites
Online directories and lead-generation platforms are a common way to find contractors in the US. They are useful for finding names, but they do not replace your own checks. Some sell your details to several contractors at once, and the level of vetting varies a lot. Always verify the licence and insurance yourself.
From: Hiring contractors and professionals in the USHow hiring differs between the UK and the US
If you have hired in one country and are now hiring in the other, these are the differences that cause the most confusion.
From: Hiring contractors and professionals in the USChecks in the US
State contractor licence lookup. Most states run an online lookup through a contractor licensing board or a consumer protection department. Some states license general contractors at state level, some leave it to cities or counties, and some only license specific trades.
From: How to vet a builder or general contractor before you hireGet quotes from local tradespeople in the US
Describe the job once and hear back from tradespeople near you. Then use the checks in our guides on whoever replies.