West Virginia contractor license lookup: how to check and get a license
West Virginia contractor license lookup: who issues home improvement contractor licenses (West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board (administered by the WV Division of Labor)), how to check one online, the license types, and 523 residential remodelers by county.
Do home improvement contractors need a license in West Virginia?
| Who licenses them | West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board (administered by the WV Division of Labor) |
|---|---|
| License types | Residential Contractor, General Building Contractor, Multifamily Contractor, Specialty Contractor, Electrical Contractor, Plumbing Contractor, Piping Contractor, General Engineering Contractor |
| When a license is required | A contractor license is required for residential work costing $5,000 or more (commercial: $25,000 or more). A signed written contract with a description and cost of the work is required for jobs of $10,000 or more. The license number must appear in advertisements and contracts. |
Check the license on the Contractor Licensing Board's verify page; it must also be posted at the job site. Painting and landscaping are excluded from licensing, and owners doing work on their own property are exempt.
How do you look up a home improvement contractor's license in West Virginia?
- Ask the home improvement contractor for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the West Virginia contractor license lookup run by West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board (administered by the WV Division of Labor).
- 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 West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board (administered by the WV Division of Labor).
What contractor licenses does West Virginia issue?
- Residential Contractor
- General Building Contractor
- Multifamily Contractor
- Specialty Contractor
- Electrical Contractor
- Plumbing Contractor
- Piping Contractor
- General Engineering Contractor
How do you get a contractor license in West Virginia?
Licenses are issued by the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board (administered by the WV Division of Labor). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board (administered by the WV Division of Labor) 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 West Virginia?
The Census Bureau counted 523 residential remodelers with employees in West Virginia in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Kanawha County | 49 |
|---|---|
| Monongalia County | 43 |
| Berkeley County | 36 |
| Marion County | 33 |
| Harrison County | 28 |
| Putnam County | 24 |
| Fayette County | 24 |
| Cabell County | 23 |
What do West Virginia homes mean for home improvement work?
The median home in West Virginia was built in 1976, 26% of households rent and 73% of homes are single-family houses. 41% of homes heat with utility gas and 46% with electricity, and 2% with fuel oil.
How do you choose a home improvement contractor in West Virginia?
- 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: West Virginia licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.