Basic Requirements for a Building Contractor

Every state requires that a building contractor be registered as a company, and acquire the appropriate licensing by passing the state's board exam. This contractor license number must be prominently displayed on the company's commercial vehicles, in all advertising, on websites, and on business cards, stationery, estimate forms, invoices, etc.

A building contractor may even need additional licensing if he will be handling some of the jobs he will be responsible for or handling by himself if he is doing the work. For instance, some building contractors have companies large enough to handle all aspects of each job rather than needing to subcontract to the individual specialties, and in these situations the building contractor may hold the individual licenses as well.

Nowadays, a good contractor will have a professionally done website that includes his credentials and pictures of his work - preferably, before and after photos. They should have a phone number prominently displayed, and those that are into even higher level technology will offer Live Help for customers who have quick questions on current or planned projects.

He should, of course, have plenty of successful work in the exact same type of project you are planning. If you want a deck with built in seating, lighting, sound, and added on to three sides of your home, he needs to know how to do that. Someone who prefers doing the rough work or pre-construction elements of the project may not be the expert you need for your outside project work.

Admittedly, it's impossible for anyone to keep every customer happy all the time. And some customers are just chronic complainers, no matter what. Your state's licensing website will have a section to check on the track record of all types of contractors licensed to do business in your state, and this can provide some very interesting background information. However, it's important to note that unless you see a consistent history of the same problem ("I paid him and never him again" type things...), take it with a grain of salt. Just remember - this site is not for recommendations; it's only for consumers to voice valid complaints that are followed up with the correct forms that have been submitted to the licensing boards for review and investigation.

And the important requirement for any building contractor is the ability to communicate effectively. He should return phone calls, texts, and emails within a reasonable period of time, and be willing to spend the time with you while on the job to answer questions. Anyone who is not interested in investing time, is not going to be worth the price of the job.