Guide
How to check an Arizona contractor before you hire
Verifying a contractor is not just a star-rating exercise. It is a short, factual review of license, entity, classification, qualifying party, insurance, and written scope — ideally before you sign anything.
1. Look up the license with the Arizona ROC
The Arizona Registrar of Contractors maintains a public search. Open the official contractor search . Confirm the license number, business name, status, classification, and bond.
2. Confirm the legal entity matches the proposal
The name on your written proposal, the name on the ROC license, and the company you would write a check to should all line up. If they do not, ask for clarification.
3. Check that the classification covers your scope
A pool license does not cover patio covers. A landscape license does not cover pool construction. If a single license cannot cover everything, ask which licensed specialty partner handles each scope.
4. Identify the qualifying party
Where publicly available, the ROC record lists the qualifying party. The owner and the qualifying party are not always the same — that is not automatically a problem, but homeowners should understand the relationship.
5. Review insurance and bonding
Ask for a current certificate of liability insurance and confirm bonding is appropriate for project size. ROC records show bond status; insurance should be confirmed in writing.
6. Review public reputation in context
Google Business Profile, BBB, Houzz, Facebook, manufacturer dealer pages, and trade association profiles can each tell part of the story. Look for reviews tied to projects similar to yours and photos of finished work.
7. Compare the written scope before the total
Once licensing checks out, the next step is comparing what the proposal actually includes. See How to compare outdoor-living proposals apples-to-apples.
This guide is general planning information. It is not legal advice, an ROC determination, or a hiring recommendation. Always verify license information directly with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.