E-Verify
Business verification can help consumers understand whether a company has been reviewed, but it should not replace a careful personal review before hiring a contractor.
Consumer due diligence
Before engaging a contractor, consumers should ask basic verification questions, request written proof, and confirm the details with the appropriate state, county, city, insurance, and HOA sources when those sources apply. A good contractor should be willing to explain who is responsible for permits, what license is required, what insurance applies, and what work will be performed.
Permits and approvals
Ask whether the work requires city, county, state, or HOA approval before the work starts. Confirm who will apply, who will pay the permit fees, who will schedule inspections, and whether work may legally begin before approvals are issued.
- Ask whether the job requires a building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, zoning, sign, driveway, fence, pool, roofing, demolition, or site development permit.
- Ask for the permit number once it is issued.
- Ask who is responsible for failed inspections or corrections.
- Contact your HOA or architectural review committee before exterior work, fencing, roofing, paint changes, additions, pools, sheds, or visible improvements.
Written scope and price
Request written clarification of the work to be performed in detail and the estimated amount before agreeing to the project. Written documentation can become essential if there is a misunderstanding about materials, timing, changes, cleanup, payment, or warranty expectations.
- Ask for the legal business name, display name, representative name, phone number, email, and business address.
- Ask for a written scope that identifies materials, measurements, brands, models, quantities, exclusions, disposal, cleanup, and restoration work.
- Ask for itemized pricing, deposit amount, payment schedule, change order process, warranty terms, and expected start and completion dates.
- Do not rely only on verbal promises, screenshots, text messages, or a one line estimate for substantial work.
State license holder
Ask whether the work requires a Georgia state license holder to perform, supervise, or qualify the work. Do not stop at the answer. Ask what license they hold, the license number, the name attached to the license, the expiration date, and whether the license is active.
- Verify residential and general contractor licenses through the Georgia Secretary of State licensing search.
- For electrical, plumbing, conditioned air, low voltage, utility, or specialty regulated work, verify the trade license through the state license database.
- Ask whether the licensed person will be on site, supervising the project, or serving only as a qualifying agent for the business.
- Some work types may not require a state license, but they may still require local permits, insurance, an occupational tax certificate, or HOA approval.
Business identity
Ask whether the contractor is a legitimate registered business with the state of Georgia. Request the Georgia control number, legal name, DBA name if used, registered agent, and current registration status.
- Search the Georgia Secretary of State business database by business name and control number.
- Confirm that the name on the estimate, license, insurance certificate, website, and state registration reasonably match.
- Ask for the local business license or occupational tax certificate when required by the city or county.
- Keep copies of documents, estimates, permits, change orders, receipts, and messages in one project folder.
What to request
Ask the contractor for a current Certificate of Insurance issued directly by the insurance agent or insurance company. A current certificate is better than an old screenshot or a forwarded copy because it gives you a clear contact path for verification.
- Confirm the insured name matches the contractor or business you are hiring.
- Review the coverage type, policy number, effective date, expiration date, carrier name, and coverage limits.
- Ask whether the work being performed is covered by the type of insurance shown.
- For larger projects, ask whether you can be listed as a certificate holder, and ask whether additional insured status is appropriate for the job.
Coverage types to understand
Different policies cover different risks. The fact that a contractor says they are insured does not automatically mean the coverage fits the work being performed.
- General liability may address certain bodily injury or property damage claims arising from business operations.
- Workers compensation may address employee injuries and should be checked separately when the contractor has employees.
- Commercial auto may matter when company vehicles are used for the job.
- Umbrella or excess liability may add additional limits above an underlying policy.
- Bonding is different from insurance and should be verified separately when a contractor claims to be bonded.
Calling the insurer or agent
Insurance companies and agents may answer limited confirming questions, especially when the certificate was issued to you or the contractor authorizes the disclosure. They may also decline to discuss private policy details, claims history, underwriting details, cancellation reasons, or coverage interpretation.
- Ask whether the certificate came from their office.
- Ask whether the named policy is currently active on the date you call.
- Ask whether the coverage type and limits shown on the certificate match their records.
- Ask whether the certificate holder information is correct.
- Do not assume that a certificate guarantees coverage for every loss or every task.
Warning signs
Slow or defensive answers about insurance do not always mean fraud, but they should cause a consumer to pause and verify before work begins.
- The contractor refuses to provide a certificate of insurance.
- The business name on the certificate does not match the contractor, estimate, or state registration.
- The policy expires before the work is expected to finish.
- The coverage limit appears too low for the work being performed.
- The contractor asks you to pull the permit without explaining why.
License verification
Use the state licensing database to search by license number, business name, individual name, or profession type. Confirm the license status, expiration date, license category, and whether the license covers the actual work proposed.
Business registration
Search the Georgia business database for the legal business name and control number. Review entity status, formation information, registered agent, principal office, and whether the name matches the contractor you intend to hire.
Local authorization
Even when a state license is active, local rules may still require a building permit, inspection, business license, occupational tax certificate, zoning clearance, or HOA approval. The correct local office is usually the city or county where the property is located.
| Document or proof | What to compare | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| State license | Name, license number, trade type, status, expiration date | Confirms whether a state regulated license appears active and relevant to the work. |
| Business registration | Legal name, DBA, control number, active status, registered agent | Helps confirm the business identity and the Georgia registration record. |
| Insurance certificate | Insured name, policy type, limits, dates, carrier, agent contact | Helps confirm whether the claimed coverage appears current and applicable. |
| Permit or approval | Permit number, property address, scope, issuing office, inspection status | Helps confirm that the work is recognized by the correct city, county, or reviewing authority. |
| Written estimate or contract | Scope, materials, price, deposit, change orders, timeline, warranty | Creates a written reference point if the parties later disagree about what was promised. |
Georgia Secretary of State professional licensing boards division
Use this source to search Georgia professional licenses, including residential and general contractors and regulated construction trades where applicable.
Phone: (404) 424-9966
Georgia Secretary of State corporations division
Use this source to verify a Georgia business registration, legal name, control number, status, registered agent, and related entity information.
Phone: (404) 656-2817. Toll free: (844) 753-7825.
Georgia office of insurance and safety fire commissioner
Use this source to check whether an insurance professional, agency, or company is licensed in Georgia and to contact consumer services for insurance related questions or complaints.
Phone: (404) 656-2070. Toll free: (800) 656-2298. Email: consumer@oci.ga.gov.
Georgia state board of workers compensation
Use this source to check whether a business operating in Georgia has workers compensation insurance coverage listed through the state coverage verification system.
Chatham County building safety and regulatory services
Use this source for building permits, inspections, regulatory services, and local permit questions for work under Chatham County jurisdiction.
Phone: (912) 201-4300 or (912) 201-4301.
City of Savannah development services
Use this source for City of Savannah construction permits, building permits, inspections, homeowner permits, contractor requirements, and development related permit questions.
Construction permit phone: (912) 651-6530.
City of Pooler building and inspections
Use this source for City of Pooler permits and inspections for new construction, alterations, repairs, removals, and demolition.
Phone: (912) 748-7261.
City of Bloomingdale planning and zoning
Use this source for Bloomingdale building permit and zoning questions before work starts.
Phone: (912) 748-0970. Email: zoning@bloomingdale-ga.gov.
Garden City planning, zoning, and building
Use this source for Garden City development review, permitting, planning, zoning, and building questions.
Phone: (912) 963-2749. Email: permits@gardencity-ga.gov.
Bryan County building and codes
Use this source for Bryan County building code, inspection, and digital submission questions.
Building official phone: (912) 704-3621. main county offices include Pembroke (912) 653-5252 and Richmond Hill (912) 756-3177.
Effingham County building and fire inspection services
Use this source for Effingham County building plan review, permits, inspections, and construction code questions.
Phone: (912) 754-2128.
Liberty County building and licensing
Use this source for Liberty County permits and inspections required by the building codes of the state of Georgia.
Phone: (912) 876-8454.
Bulloch County building permits and inspections
Use this source for Bulloch County building permits, inspection questions, online permit access, forms, and permitting guidance.
Phone: (912) 489-1356. Email: inspections@bullochcounty.net.
