March 31, 2026

Every year, Long Island homeowners lose thousands of dollars to unlicensed contractors who disappear mid-project or do shoddy work. Here's how to vet a pro before handing over a deposit. ## 1. Verify the license In Suffolk County, home-improvement contractors need a license from the Suffolk County Office of Consumer Affairs. Nassau has a similar requirement. Ask for the license number and look it up at: - **Suffolk:** [suffolkcountyny.gov/consumer-affairs](https://suffolkcountyny.gov/consumer-affairs) - **Nassau:** [nassaucountyny.gov/consumer-affairs](https://nassaucountyny.gov/consumer-affairs) Not every trade requires a county license (electricians and plumbers are state-licensed), but general home-improvement work does. ## 2. Confirm insurance Real pros carry two policies: - **General liability** — covers damage to your property - **Workers' comp** — covers their employees if someone gets hurt on your job Ask for a Certificate of Insurance (COI) listing *you* as an additional insured for the project. A legitimate contractor will send one without hesitation. ## 3. Check reviews from real homeowners Don't rely on testimonials on the contractor's own website. Look for reviews on independent platforms like LI ToolBox, Google, or the Better Business Bureau. **Red flags:** - No reviews at all - Only 5-star reviews with identical phrasing - Every review written in the same week ## 4. Get at least 3 quotes Quote-shopping isn't just about price — it's about seeing how each pro thinks about your project. A good contractor will ask detailed questions and may suggest alternatives. The cheapest quote is almost never the best. If one bid is 30% below the others, that's usually a sign of corner-cutting. ## 5. Never pay more than 1/3 upfront New York law caps upfront deposits on home-improvement work at 1/3 of the total. Pros who ask for 50% or more before starting are a risk. Use a written contract that spells out: - Exact scope of work - Materials and brands - Start and end dates - Payment schedule tied to milestones - A right-to-cancel clause (NY law gives you 3 days) --- **Want pre-vetted pros?** Every verified contractor on LI ToolBox has submitted their license and insurance, and we review every document. [Browse verified pros →](/search)

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