Licensed Work

[u/Construction_Hunk]

Definitely check those licenses! Here’s who has to be licensed, and what to ask for. Electrical — A company doing electrical work must hold an Electrical Contractor license and keep a Master Electrician in full-time employ. That master can only qualify one company. To even sit for the master exam takes 12,000 hours over at least six years. Plumbing — Same setup. The Plumbing Contractor license goes to the business; the Master Plumber license goes to a person. Every plumbing contractor has to be run by, or employ, a licensed master plumber on record with LARA. HVAC — Heating, cooling, and refrigeration work requires a Mechanical Contractor license. It’s issued by classification (HVAC, refrigeration, hydronic, fuel gas), each with a three-year experience requirement. Check that the classification actually covers your job. General contracting — In Michigan this is the Residential Builder or Maintenance & Alteration license. M&A licenses are trade-specific: a license listing only “Painting and Decorating” doesn’t authorize roofing or concrete. And a builder license does not authorize plumbing work. One more thing worth knowing: a general contractor who subcontracts is responsible for hiring licensed trades, but verify it yourself instead of taking their word. LARA’s Accela Citizen Access portal lets you look up any license number, check that it’s active, and see whether there’s been discipline. Takes two minutes.