Hawaii contractor license lookup: how to check and get a license
Hawaii contractor license lookup: who issues home improvement contractor licenses (DCCA), how to check one online, the license types, and 498 residential remodelers by county.
Do home improvement contractors need a license in Hawaii?
| Who licenses them | Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Contractors License Board |
|---|---|
| License types | "A" General Engineering Contractor, "B" General Building Contractor, "C" Specialty Contractor (e.g., C-5 Cabinet, millwork and carpentry remodeling, C-33 Painting, C-42 Roofing) |
| When a license is required | License required for any project where labor and materials exceed $1,500, or any project requiring a building, electrical or plumbing permit regardless of cost; written homeowner contract required before work begins |
Hawaii rules require a written homeowner contract listing the contractor's license number and classification, exact price, start date and duration, scope, subcontractors, warranty terms and lien rights, signed before work starts. The Contractors Recovery Fund may help homeowners only if they hired a licensed contractor.
How do you look up a home improvement contractor's license in Hawaii?
- Ask the home improvement contractor for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Hawaii contractor license lookup run by DCCA.
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the home improvement contractor about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact DCCA.
What contractor licenses does Hawaii issue?
- "A" General Engineering Contractor
- "B" General Building Contractor
- "C" Specialty Contractor (e.g., C-5 Cabinet, millwork and carpentry remodeling, C-33 Painting, C-42 Roofing)
How do you get a contractor license in Hawaii?
Licenses are issued by the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Contractors License Board. Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official DCCA source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
How many home improvement contractors are there in Hawaii?
The Census Bureau counted 498 residential remodelers with employees in Hawaii in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Honolulu County | 319 |
|---|---|
| Maui County | 87 |
| Hawaii County | 58 |
| Kauai County | 34 |
What do Hawaii homes mean for home improvement work?
The median home in Hawaii was built in 1979, 37% of households rent and 63% of homes are single-family houses. 3% of homes heat with utility gas and 41% with electricity.
How do you choose a home improvement contractor in Hawaii?
- Check the contractor's license with the state or city. Many places require a home improvement license for residential work over a few hundred dollars.
- Get a written contract with the scope, materials, schedule, total price and payment schedule. Don't pay most of it upfront.
- Ask who pulls the permits. If the contractor suggests skipping a permit that the job needs, find another contractor.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation, and make sure the policy is current.
- Ask for two or three recent jobs like yours that you can see or call about.
Home Improvement Contractors in other states
Sources: Hawaii licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.