Free for homeowners. The on-screen summary needs no email.
Contractor Check
See what public records show about a contractor, and what to ask before you sign.
- Free, no account needed
- Never shared with anyone, including your contractors
- No sales calls afterward
- Privacy and FAQ
What the records show
We found a few possible matches. Pick the one you mean.
The report is on its way.
Check your inbox in a few minutes.
Written with the help of AI. It can miss things, so check anything important against the original documents or the official source before you decide.
How it works
Every fact comes with its source and the date we checked it. A records check confirms what is on file, nothing more.
- Enter what you haveA name, a license number, a phone or a website. Any one is a start; more makes the match more certain.
- See what the records showA summary of what was confirmed and what wasn't, with each fact's source and the date it was checked.
- Get the full report by emailA PDF with the details, links to the official sources and a list of items to verify.
What you get
A summary on screen, right away, then the full report by email. This is a sample for a fictional business.
Sample summary
Example Builders Inc. (fictional)
- License ConfirmedActive on the license board's file. Classification and expiry date shown.Source: license board file, date checked shown
- Workers' comp ConfirmedOn file.Source: license board file, date checked shown
- Complaint history Check yourselfNot in the downloadable file. A direct link to the license page is included.Source: license board website
- Phone and website Partly matchedThe phone matches the license. The website isn't listed on it.Source: license file and Google listing
Items to verify before you sign
- Ask for a copy of the insurance certificate
- Ask who the license belongs to, and who will run your job
Where nothing matches, the report says "no record found". That describes the search. It says nothing about the contractor.
The sample report below is a fictional example. The business and its records are made up.
Open the sample report (PDF)
Who's behind it
Built by the GreatBuildz team
I'm Jon Grishpul, co-founder of GreatBuildz. I grew up working alongside my grandfather, an electrical contractor, and since 2019 GreatBuildz has helped more than 2,000 California homeowners find and hire vetted contractors. Our team uses the same check as a first pass on contractors applying to join the GreatBuildz network.
Why it's free
GreatBuildz is paid by contractors, and only when a homeowner hires one we introduced. Homeowners never pay us. Using this tool doesn't put you on a call list, and we'll only help you find a contractor if you ask.
Questions homeowners ask
Is it really free? What's the catch?
Yes, it's free. GreatBuildz earns a fee from contractors, and only when a homeowner hires one we introduced. Using a tool doesn't sign you up for anything, and nobody will call you.
Where does the information come from?
Public records and listings: the California license board's published license data, other states' license records where they are public, a contractor's Google business listing, public domain registration data and, where available, federal safety inspection records. Each fact shows its source and the date it was checked.
What does "no record found" mean?
It means we couldn't match what you entered to a record. It doesn't say anything about the contractor. Check the spelling, add a license number, or look the contractor up on your state's licensing board directly.
Can a records check tell me if a contractor is a good choice?
No. A records check confirms what's on file. It can't call past clients, meet the owner, look at finished work, or tell you how a contractor handles a problem halfway through a job. That part takes people.
Which states does it cover?
License records are strongest for California. Other states are covered where the data is public, and everywhere else you get a link to your state's licensing board and a note on whether the state licenses contractors at all. The business listing checks work nationwide.
Will the contractor know I checked?
No. We don't contact them, and a check isn't visible to them.
Who sees what I enter?
The name, license number and other details you enter are used to look up public records and listings. We never share them or your contact details with anyone, including the contractor. We may email you a short follow-up or two about that tool, and you can unsubscribe at any time. The newsletter is separate, and only if you tick its box.
What if something goes wrong?
Reply to the email you get and a person will help.
Ready when you are.
Free, no account to create, and no sales call afterward. Your information is secure and never shared with anyone, ever.
Written with the help of AI. It can miss things, so check anything important against the original documents or the official source before you decide.
Check a contractorSee if GreatBuildz works in your area. GreatBuildz introduces California homeowners to vetted contractors, free, and only when you ask. We only work in California. The tools are open to anyone.
More free tools
Pick the one that matches where you are. See all the Free Homeowner Tools.