Having a sticker on the side of a truck doesn’t make someone a licensed contractor — but they hope you don’t know that.
You can protect your investment and save yourself a lot of grief by making sure the contractor you hire is licensed.
Unlicensed contractors aren’t motivated to resolve problems because they don’t have a license to lose. They can’t pull permits. Inspectors won’t be able to review the work and make sure it meets building codes.
If you don’t have permits for your project, you might end up with building modifications that are not allowed by your jurisdiction, including: - an addition or outbuilding that crosses setback rules on property lines, - violation of an easement, - or a deck built too close to the water.
Your project could be completed without anyone noticing during construction, but an inspector driving by or a disgruntled neighbor whose view of the river is suddenly obstructed might make a phone call a few months or even years later.
When someone discovers you had no permit because you hired an unlicensed contractor, it will be your responsibility to undo the work, and you’ll have no recourse to recoup your money.
All sorts of issues can manifest long after the unlicensed contractor has left with his check, leaving you stuck with costly repairs. An unlicensed contractor cannot lien your home for non-payment, since the court won’t recognize any “contract” you have when there is no applicable license.
It can get worse: You can have issues with a homeowner's insurance claim for damage arising from unpermitted work improperly completed by an unlicensed contractor. You can also experience issues when selling your home.
Builders, Electricians, Plumbing and Mechanical (HVAC) contractors are required to show you their license when asked. If you want to be sure, you can look up a license on the Michigan Licensing & Regulatory Affairs (LARA) website:
To see if your project requires a license, check the list and best practices here: