Hiring a Building Contractor

If you are hiring a contractor you should know the following information about licensing requirements for contractors. As always use good consumer sense and ask for references. Prince William County requires all persons performing contracting work to be properly licensed.

Always ask for a signed contract which clearly states:

What work will be done
The price of the job to be completed
How much of a down payment is required
When the work will begin
Expected date of completion
Who is responsible for obtaining permits

Consider scheduled payments to the contractor based on approvals given by County Inspectors at each phase of the project.

If you decide to hire a contractor, ask to see a contractor's license. It is a wallet-size card. Write the number of the license down and call the following numbers to verify the validity of the license, whether it has been revoked, or if there have been complaints against the contractor in the past.

For Virginia State Licenses, call 1-804-367-8511, or visit the website for the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.
For Prince William County Home Improvement Contractor's Licenses, call 703-792-6924.
For Prince William Business Licenses, call 703-792-6710.

Required Prince William County Contractor Licenses:

1. All residential work performed up to $1,000 per job:

Prince William County Home Improvement Contractor's license
Posting a $10,000 bond
Prince William County Business License

2. All work performed between $1,000 and $10,000 per job:

Virginia State Class 'C' License
Prince William County Home Improvement Contractor's license, if the work is residential
Posting a $10,000 bond if the work is residential
Prince William County Business license

3. All work performed between $10,000 and $120,000 per job: