Verify before you hire
We don't verify contractors. You should — here is how.
CostBrick is an information and referral service. We do not verify licences, insurance, work quality or pricing. Before hiring anyone, check the official state source yourself — it takes two minutes.
1 · Check the licence
Ask the contractor for their licence number and state. Search it in the official database below. Confirm: status Active, name matches the company, expiry date is in the future, and the licence class covers your type of work.
| State | Official lookup | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | TDLR License Search | Electrical, HVAC, boiler, and more |
| California | CSLB Instant License Check | General building contractors |
| Florida | DBPR License Lookup | Construction, roofing, HVAC |
| Washington | L&I Verify a Contractor | Registration + insurance |
| New York | NY Dept. of State Licensing | Home improvement (varies by county) |
Not listed? Search "your state + contractor licence lookup" — every state has an official database. County and city licences may apply too.
2 · Check insurance
Ask for a certificate of insurance showing general liability and workers' compensation. Call the insurer using the number on the certificate (not the number the contractor gives you) and confirm the policy is active and the limits are adequate.
3 · Check the contract
- Written scope, itemised materials and labour, permits and disposal.
- Payment schedule — never more than 30–50% upfront.
- Start date, duration, warranty in writing.
- Three recent local references — call them.
Use our project checklist to compare quotes fairly.
What CostBrick does and does not do
| We do | We do not |
|---|---|
| Check that a submitted licence number is in a plausible format and that the expiry date is in the future | Verify that the document or number actually belongs to the contractor |
| Share your request with providers who say they serve your trade and ZIP | Verify licences, insurance, work quality, pricing or safety |
| Show quotes in a comparable format | Guarantee any provider, price or outcome |
We may label an application "format checked" — that only means the number and expiry passed a format test, not that we verified it with the state.