How to look one up
- Ask the contractor for their ROC license number. It should be on the estimate, the contract and their advertising.
- Go to roc.az.gov and use the contractor search.
- Search by license number, or by company name if you do not have the number.
- Open the record and read it. It takes only a few minutes.
What to check on the record
| Item | What you want to see |
|---|---|
| Status | Active. Not suspended, revoked or expired |
| Name | Matches the company on your contract and the name you are writing checks to |
| Classification | A residential license that covers remodeling work, not only a single unrelated trade |
| Bond | Listed and current |
| Complaints | Read any that are listed and ask the contractor about them |
| License history | How long the license has been held |
Some companies sell the job and have a licensed partner contractor build it. That is legal, but you should know whose license the work is done under and see that license on the contract.
Does a bathroom remodel require a license?
Almost always. Arizona has a handyman exemption for small jobs, but it covers only minor work under a low dollar limit that does not need a permit. A shower remodel or full bathroom is well past that. The current limits and rules are on the ROC website, so check there if someone tells you they do not need a license.
Why it matters to you
- You can file a complaint. The ROC can investigate workmanship complaints against licensed contractors and order corrections.
- Recovery fund. Homeowners who hire a licensed residential contractor may be eligible for the state's recovery fund if things go badly. Hiring unlicensed gives up that protection.
- Permits. A licensed contractor can pull the permit under their own license.
What the license does not tell you
A license is the floor, not proof of good work. Also ask for:
- A certificate of liability insurance, sent to you by the insurance agent
- How workers are covered if someone is hurt on your property
- Recent local references and photos of finished showers
- A written, fixed-price contract with a schedule
Be careful with anyone who wants a large cash deposit, has no written contract or asks you to pull the permit yourself. Our license number is on every estimate, and our full remodels run $18,500 to $60,000 with the price fixed in writing.
Key facts
- Where to check
- roc.az.gov contractor search
- Search by
- License number or company name
- Status should be
- Active
- Also ask for
- Certificate of insurance and a written contract
Related questions
Where we do this work
Services: Full Bathroom Remodel
Bathroom remodeling in Phoenix, Surprise, Mesa, and across the Valley.