how to find contractors under attorney general's website

by Floy Runolfsdottir 3 min read

Consumers should go to the Attorney General’s website to see if a contractor is registered. The website includes the following for registered contractors: Contact and insurance information;

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Is a contractor registered with the Attorney General’s office?

Tips for Hiring a Contractor: A contractor is a person or company that offers services like construction, home remodeling, painting, paving, roofing, or electrical work to improve your home or property. The decision to update your home can be a big and expensive one, so take your time before you decide to hire a contractor. Be sure to get multiple bids and check references. Hire …

How do I check if a contractor is registered with AG?

The law requires that all contractors who perform at least $5,000 worth of home improvements per year register with the Attorney General’s Office. ... Contractors with questions about the law can call or email: 1-888-520-6680 (HIC Consumer Helpline) [email protected]. Click here to Register, Re-register, or Update

Can I search for a contractor by contact information?

To verify the registration of a home improvement contractor, go to the Registered Contractors section of our website. Please note: Registration under HICPA is not an endorsement, recommendation or approval by the Office of Attorney General of the contractor’s competency or …

How to check if a contractor is reputable?

“The official registration number of [contractor name] can be obtained from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection by calling toll-free within Pennsylvania 1-888-520-6680. Registration does not imply endorsement.”

How do I find a local general contractor?

Ask Friends, Relatives and Co-Workers for References. ... Interview at Least 5 Contractors. ... Be Realistic About Availability. ... Ask What Work Will Be Done by Subcontractors. ... Choose the Right Contractor for the Right Project. ... Check Licenses, Complaints and Litigation History. ... Check References. ... Sign a Detailed Contract.More items...

How do I check a contractors license in PA?

Find a registered Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor by searching the PA Attorney General's database or calling 1 (888) 520-6680. Look up which contractors have had their licenses revoked or suspended.

What is a PA HIC number?

Consumers or businesses can call our Home Improvement Registration Hotline, at 1-888-520-6680, to report unregistered contractors operating in their communities. Complaints about unregistered contractors can also be emailed to our office at: [email protected].

How do I find out if a contractor is licensed in Illinois?

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation provide online public access through its 'License Lookup' to search and verify all Illinois professional license holders.

Do contractors have to be licensed in PA?

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania currently has no licensure or certification requirements for most construction contractors (or their employees).

How do I report a contractor in PA?

You may request a Statement of Complaint Form by mail, by calling the Professional Compliance Office Hotline at 1-800-822-2113 (if you are calling from within Pennsylvania) or at 1-(717) 783-4849 (if you are calling from outside Pennsylvania).

How much can a contractor ask for up front in PA?

1/3Contractors can legally only ask for 1/3 of the contract price up front. It's considered fraud if a substantial portion of the work is not performed in the time requested, or more than 45 days go by without work being done.

How do I sue a contractor in PA?

Pennsylvanians who believe they have been the victim of a home improvement contractor or disreputable business practices should contact the Office of Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection at 1-800-441-2555 or by email at [email protected] or visit www.attorneygeneral.gov to file a complaint.

How long does it take to get an HIC license in PA?

PLEASE NOTE: If you register online, you will receive your registration number and printable temporary registration certificate instantaneously. If submitting a hard copy application, please allow approximately 4 weeks processing time.

Do contractors have to be licensed in Illinois?

While Illinois doesn't require a general contractor license at the state level, licenses are typically regulated at the city or county level, and those requirements often vary. There are exceptions for roofing and plumbing licenses, which require state permits. Each city also has a different licensing fee.

Does a handyman need a license in Illinois?

Handymen and general contractors are not required to have a state license to work in Illinois. However, many local jurisdictions including Chicago, require that handymen and contractors have a general contractor license.

What is an RMO license?

An RMO is a qualified individual that holds one or more contractor licenses. Sometimes referred to as an RMO License, Businesses in the state of California can elect to use an RMO or RME (Responsible Managing Employee) to certify their businesses to perform a construction trade.

Tips For Hiring A Contractor

A contractor is a person or company that offers services like construction, home remodeling, painting, paving, roofing, or electrical work to impro...

to Verify License Status Or For Questions

Verify license status online or by calling 1-800-321-CSLB (2752). The CSLB also has a helpful summary of what you should know before hiring a contr...

Some Common Home Improvement Scams (often Targeting Seniors)

1. Someone comes to your door and offers to do roofing, painting, install solar panels, or perform other work at a reduced price. Once you pay, the...

How to check if a contractor is a contractor?

While the law requires contractors to register with the Attorney General’s office, this registration is not an endorsement of their honesty or quality of work. For this reason, in addition to seeing whether a contractor is registered with the Attorney General’s office, you should also: 1 Thoroughly check your contractor’s references. 2 Obtain more than one bid for the job. 3 Check for complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau.

How to verify a home improvement contractor?

To verify the registration of a home improvement contractor, go to the Registered Contractors section of our website. Please note: Registration under HICPA is not an endorsement, recommendation or approval by the Office of Attorney General of the contractor’s competency or skill.

Who must be registered as a contractor?

All contractors, including self-employed contractors and sole proprietorships, subcontractors and independent contractors, and corporations, partnerships and all other types of business entities must be registered, unless they fall into the two exemptions above.

What happens if a contractor is not registered?

Any home improvement contractor who is not registered is prohibited from offering or performing home improvements. The failure to register is a violation of the law and unregistered contractors face legal action, including civil penalties of $1,000 or more.

What is the toll free telephone number for the Bureau of Consumer Protection that needs to be included in home improvement contracts?

What is the toll-free telephone number for the Bureau of Consumer Protection that needs to be included in home improvement contracts? The number is 1-888-520-6680. Consumers are able to call this number to check whether a contractor is registered with the Office of Attorney General.

What is the net worth of a home improvement retailer?

A home improvement retailer having a net worth of more than $50,000,000 or an employee of that retailer that does not perform home improvements.

Is HICPA a time and materials contract?

Yes: HICPA was amended on October 22, 2014, to allow contractors to offer time and materials contracts to Pennsylvania consumers, provided the contractor: Informs the consumer in writing that the time and materials contract will not exceed 10% above an initial cost estimate agreed to by the homeowner; and.

Can you license a plumber in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Political subdivisions in Pennsylvania cannot separately license or register home improvement contractors after July 1, 2009, with the limited exception of licensing standards that are in effect on July 1, 2009, with respect to electricians, plumbers and other trades where licensing is conditioned on requirements of testing or possession of certificates obtained through specific training in electricity, plumbing or other trades.

Do landscapers need to register in Pennsylvania?

Landscapers whose work is limited to services performed under Pennsylvania’s Plant Pest Act do not need to register. However, landscapers who perform other work at private residences including, but not limited to: the placement of retaining walls, fountains or drainage systems, or the construction, replacement, installation or improvement of buildings, driveways, swimming pools, porches, garages, roofs, siding, insulation, solar energy systems, security systems, flooring, patios, non-decorative fences, doors, lighting systems, concrete walkways and windows must register and comply with the act.

How to find out if a contractor is registered?

Consumers should go to the Attorney General’s website to see if a contractor is registered. The website includes the following for registered contractors: Contact and insurance information; A description of the company; Information on any prior home improvement businesses; Names of anyone with an interest in the business;

How to check if a contractor is registered in Pennsylvania?

Kane today reminded consumers that they should always check to ensure that the home improvement contractor is registered in Pennsylvania by visiting www.attorneygeneral.gov, or by calling 1-888-520-6680.

How to report an unregistered contractor?

To report an unregistered contractor, call the Home Improvement Registration Hotline at 1-888-520-6680. Complaints about unregistered contractors may also be emailed to the Attorney General’s Office at [email protected].

How often do you have to register a contractor?

Contractors must re-register every two years.

Do contractors do good work in Pennsylvania?

Most Pennsylvania contractors do very good work. Unfortunately, some do not. Last year, the Office of Attorney General fielded 4,900 complaints from people who were not satisfied with the work they had done on their homes and businesses.

How to check if a contractor is licensed?

If you want to check if your contractor is licensed or not you can visit the Home Improvement Consumer Information website. Here, you will be able to verify a contractor by entering a HIC number or other information. Remember that almost all legal contractors in PA should have a PAHIC# obtained from Attorney General’s Office.

Who can apply for a general contractor license in Philadelphia?

Any contractor in Philadelphia who earns $500 or more should apply for a general contractor license. All the application process for licenses and permits is handled by the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections.

Who handles contractor licenses in Pittsburgh?

The Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspection handles the contractor’s licensing registration in Pittsburgh. Here are the main materials you will need to provide when applying for a license:

How to become a contractor in Pennsylvania?

To become a contractor in Pennsylvania you likely need to register with the Attorney’s General Office and obtain a license from your local municipality. All the legal procedures including registration and contractor’s licensure in PA are handled at the local city level. Home Improvement works may include remodeling, repairing, demolition, ...

How to check a contractor's license in Pennsylvania?

If you want to check the licensed contractors in Pennsylvania you can visit the Home improvement Consumer Information database. You will be able to verify a home improvement contractor’s license by entering the business name, license number, or location.

Does Pennsylvania require insurance for contractors?

Pennsylvania has minimum insurance requirements for almost all contractors working in this state. If you are not sure whether your contractor is insured or not you can simply ask for a copy of the Certificate of Insurance. Additionally, you can also ask to provide the name of the insurance carrier and agency to make sure your contractor has ...

What can a DC government contracting attorney do?

A DC government contracting attorney can help ensure that your business is ready and meets all requirements for federal government contracts. The next step involves locating federal contracts forbidding. You can pay a company to help you locate federal government contracts for your business. However, you can locate federal government contracts free ...

What can an attorney do for a contract?

Besides reviewing potential contracts, an attorney can also help you prepare proposals for potential contracts, assist in resolving disputes regarding contracts, advise you of the laws and procedures regarding government contracts, and handle any other legal matters or claims which might arise during the job.

What is DC fractional general counsel?

A DC fractional general counsel helps you with every aspect of federal government contracting. From preparing your internal operations and accounting to submitting proposals and completing the work. Contact Steve Thienel today to see how you can benefit from the guidance, support, and legal advice of an experienced general counsel.

What is the job of a federal lawyer?

A lawyer can also provide compliance counseling, which reduces the risk of time-consuming and expensive legal issues.

How much of federal contracts are set aside for small businesses?

Approximately one-quarter of all federal contracts are set aside each year for small businesses. The DSBS is maintained by the Small Business Administration (SBA). The DSBS is free to use and allows small businesses to access a list of federal contracts specifically set aside for small businesses.

What is the GSA website?

The General Service Administration (GSA) has combined numerous contracting and information websites into one convenient web site that businesses can use to search for federal government contracts. The new website, System for Award Management (SAM), is still in the test phase. The GSA provides a complete list of the ten online systems users can also ...

What is a federal contract?

As with any contract, a federal government contract is a legally binding agreement between you and a federal agency. Before contracting with the federal government, you should have your attorney review the contract carefully to explain all the terms and conditions, including any terms that might not be fair or equitable for your company.