Illinois contractor license lookup: how to check and get a license
Illinois contractor license lookup: who issues home improvement contractor licenses (IDFPR), how to check one online, the license types, and 6,185 residential remodelers by county.
Do home improvement contractors need a license in Illinois?
| Who licenses them | no state general contractor license; check city/county. Roofers: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Chicago: Department of Buildings General Contractor license (Classes A-E) |
|---|---|
| License types | Limited Roofing License (IDFPR), Unlimited Roofing License (IDFPR), Chicago General Contractor Class A-E |
| When a license is required | Written, signed contract or work order required before home repair/remodeling work over $1,000; 'Home Repair: Know Your Consumer Rights' pamphlet required for all contracts (signed acknowledgment over $1,000) (815 ILCS 513) |
Under the Home Repair and Remodeling Act, contractors must carry liability insurance of at least $100,000 per person, $300,000 per occurrence and $50,000 for property damage. Roofers must hold an IDFPR license, whose number starts with 104 and must appear on the contract. In Chicago, look up general contractors at webapps1.chicago.gov/licensedcontractors.
How do you look up a home improvement contractor's license in Illinois?
- Ask the home improvement contractor for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Illinois contractor license lookup run by IDFPR.
- 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 IDFPR.
What contractor licenses does Illinois issue?
- Limited Roofing License (IDFPR)
- Unlimited Roofing License (IDFPR)
- Chicago General Contractor Class A-E
How do you get a contractor license in Illinois?
Licenses are issued by the no state general contractor license; check city/county. Roofers: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Chicago: Department of Buildings General Contractor license (Classes A-E). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official IDFPR 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 Illinois?
The Census Bureau counted 6,185 residential remodelers with employees in Illinois in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Cook County | 2,888 |
|---|---|
| DuPage County | 682 |
| Lake County | 467 |
| Will County | 323 |
| Kane County | 311 |
| McHenry County | 230 |
| Madison County | 82 |
| Kendall County | 77 |
What do Illinois homes mean for home improvement work?
The median home in Illinois was built in 1970, 33% of households rent and 64% of homes are single-family houses. 76% of homes heat with utility gas and 18% with electricity.
How do you choose a home improvement contractor in Illinois?
- 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: Illinois licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.