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• Licensing - Among the things that homeowners should know before hiring a contractor is that all contractors must be licensed in Nevada. Licensed contractors have met experience and examination requirements, and are required to maintain bonds and worker’s compensation insurance and have established their financial responsibility; therefore, it is wise to insist that your contractor be licensed. To act in the capacity of a contractor without a license is a crime. If you see an unlicensed contractor working, please go to our web site and submit an online report of what you see. It will be reported to the proper authorities.
• Contact the Nevada State Contractors Board to verify a contractor's license: (702) 486-1100. If there is no license, please report the contractor.
• Established Firm - Has the firm been in business for a substantial period of time? Is the firm a member of a professional organization?
• Call Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association of Nevada to verify membership: (702) 252-0166.
• Payments: You have the right to make payments in phases as the work is completed and withhold the final payment until all work is completed. You should expect to have one project price on a contract that includes all of the labor and materials. Any changes to the contract should be in writing. Also, don’t sign anything that you don’t understand. Your contract should be clear with a written payment schedule and completion date.
• Insurance: Does the contractor have insurance? Ask the company for a certificate of insurance. If the company is hesitant to comply with your request, think twice.

Some common red flags to watch out for include:

• You can't verify the contractor's name, address, telephone number or credentials
• You can't verify that the contractor is licensed, insured and/or bonded (please report them)
• The contractor won't give you references
• The contractor asks you to obtain the building permits
• You are asked to put down a large down payment up front, or pay the entire price of the job before work is started

Contracting without a license in Nevada is against the law. The first offense in a misdemeanor; the second offense is a gross misdemeanor and third offense is a Class E felony. Each person or corporation who submits a bid or contract for construction work must have a Nevada contractor's license in the appropriate license classification. Either call the Nevada State Contractors Board, or go online to verify whether or not a contractor is licensed and in good standing.