How Do I Know If the Contractor I Want to Use is Licensed?
Not too long ago, I was recommending contractors to a seller in Bristow who needed some home inspection repair work done. There are a few contractors in the neighborhood that get referred over and over. In fact, one of them did some work for a seller of mine about twelve months ago.
Because the Northern Virginia Regional Sales Contract home inspection addendum states that all repairs must be done by a licensed contractor, I looked up everyone I was about to refer. To my surprise, one of the top recommended contractors, who had done that work for a seller of mine last year in Bristow, was not coming up as licensed. I was sure this had to be mistake. So I messaged him. A few days later, I got the response, "No, I am not licensed."
Even if the home inspection addendum hadn't stated that the work needed to be done by a licensed contractor, I would still want my sellers to have the protection of working with a licensed professional. Someone licensed to do work as a contractor, in any field, must be covered by a liability policy. Of course, if you can hire a Class A contractor, they carry the highest level of license and have higher insurance coverage.
If you don't know how to check and see if the contractor you are considering hiring is licensed, simply click this link to Virginia's Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation website. You'll see in the upper left hand corner a link that says LICENSE LOOKUP. Type in the name of the business, or contractor and see if they are licensed. You can find electricians, plumbers, HVAC companies and even roofers.
Hiring a handyman may be cheaper, but you are also taking on more risk with that type of worker. Hiring someone with a license ensures competency and that they are insured. It pays in the long run to work with a licensed contractor.
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