Delaware contractor license lookup: how to check and get a license
Delaware contractor license lookup: who issues home improvement contractor licenses (Delaware Division of Revenue (contractor business license; no state competency license for general/home improvement contractors)), how to check one online, the license types, and 456 residential remodelers by county.
Do home improvement contractors need a license in Delaware?
| Who licenses them | Delaware Division of Revenue (contractor business license; no state competency license for general/home improvement contractors) |
|---|---|
| License types | Resident Contractor business license, Non-Resident Contractor business license |
| When a license is required | Business license required for any contractor doing business in Delaware; non-resident contractors must also post a bond (amount not confirmed) |
Delaware contractors must hold a Division of Revenue business license, which is a tax registration, not a competency license; plumbing, HVAC and electrical work still need trade licenses. Check permits with your county or city building office.
How do you look up a home improvement contractor's license in Delaware?
- Ask the home improvement contractor for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the official Delaware Division of Revenue (contractor business license; no state competency license for general/home improvement contractors) license search run by Delaware Division of Revenue (contractor business license; no state competency license for general/home improvement contractors).
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the home improvement contractor about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact Delaware Division of Revenue (contractor business license; no state competency license for general/home improvement contractors).
What contractor licenses does Delaware issue?
- Resident Contractor business license
- Non-Resident Contractor business license
How do you get a contractor license in Delaware?
Licenses are issued by the Delaware Division of Revenue (contractor business license; no state competency license for general/home improvement contractors). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official Delaware Division of Revenue (contractor business license; no state competency license for general/home improvement contractors) source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
How many home improvement contractors are there in Delaware?
The Census Bureau counted 456 residential remodelers with employees in Delaware in 2023. The counties with the most:
| New Castle County | 271 |
|---|---|
| Sussex County | 135 |
| Kent County | 50 |
What do Delaware homes mean for home improvement work?
The median home in Delaware was built in 1986, 28% of households rent and 74% of homes are single-family houses. 42% of homes heat with utility gas and 37% with electricity, and 9% with fuel oil.
How do you choose a home improvement contractor in Delaware?
- Check the contractor's license with the state or city. Many places require a home improvement license for residential work over a few hundred dollars.
- Get a written contract with the scope, materials, schedule, total price and payment schedule. Don't pay most of it upfront.
- Ask who pulls the permits. If the contractor suggests skipping a permit that the job needs, find another contractor.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation, and make sure the policy is current.
- Ask for two or three recent jobs like yours that you can see or call about.
Home Improvement Contractors in other states
Sources: Delaware licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.