North Carolina contractor license lookup: how to check and get a license
North Carolina contractor license lookup: who issues home improvement contractor licenses (North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors), how to check one online, the license types, and 3,630 residential remodelers by county.
Do home improvement contractors need a license in North Carolina?
| Who licenses them | North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors |
|---|---|
| License types | Residential, Building, Specialty, Limited (single projects up to $750,000), Intermediate (up to $1,500,000), Unlimited |
| When a license is required | General contractor license required when the cost of the undertaking is $40,000 or more; owner-builders building for their own occupancy are exempt |
Jobs under $40,000 don't need a state general contractor license, but plumbing, electrical and HVAC work still need those trade licenses and local permits. The board runs a Homeowners Recovery Fund for losses caused by licensed contractors.
How do you look up a home improvement contractor's license in North Carolina?
- Ask the home improvement contractor for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the North Carolina contractor license lookup run by North Carolina Licensing Board for General 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 North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors.
What contractor licenses does North Carolina issue?
- Residential
- Building
- Specialty
- Limited (single projects up to $750,000)
- Intermediate (up to $1,500,000)
- Unlimited
How do you get a contractor license in North Carolina?
Licenses are issued by the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
Which North Carolina city is the job in?
How many home improvement contractors are there in North Carolina?
The Census Bureau counted 3,630 residential remodelers with employees in North Carolina in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Wake County | 503 |
|---|---|
| Mecklenburg County | 488 |
| Guilford County | 190 |
| Buncombe County | 154 |
| Forsyth County | 142 |
| New Hanover County | 120 |
| Union County | 118 |
| Durham County | 104 |
What do North Carolina homes mean for home improvement work?
The median home in North Carolina was built in 1990, 34% of households rent and 70% of homes are single-family houses. 24% of homes heat with utility gas and 65% with electricity, and 2% with fuel oil.
How do you choose a home improvement contractor in North Carolina?
- 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: North Carolina licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.