South Carolina contractor license lookup: how to check and get a license
South Carolina contractor license lookup: who issues home improvement contractor licenses (South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (Residential Builders Commission; Contractor's Licensing Board)), how to check one online, the license types, and 1,389 residential remodelers by county.
Do home improvement contractors need a license in South Carolina?
| Who licenses them | South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (Residential Builders Commission; Contractor's Licensing Board) |
|---|---|
| License types | Residential Builder, Residential Specialty Contractor (registration, e.g. carpentry, roofing, siding, drywall, masonry, painting, insulation, flooring), General Contractor - Building (Contractor's Licensing Board) |
| When a license is required | Residential builder license required when the job exceeds $5,000; residential specialty registration required for jobs over $500; Contractor's Licensing Board general contractor license required over $10,000 (general contracting); residential builders must post a $15,000 surety bond or show financial responsibility |
Residential builders (homes up to three floors) need an exam-based license for jobs over $5,000, while trades like roofing, carpentry and painting register as residential specialty contractors for jobs over $500. Unlicensed or unregistered contractors cannot file a mechanics' lien or sue to enforce the contract.
How do you look up a home improvement contractor's license in South Carolina?
- Ask the home improvement contractor for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the South Carolina contractor license lookup run by South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (Residential Builders Commission; Contractor's Licensing Board).
- 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 South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (Residential Builders Commission; Contractor's Licensing Board).
What contractor licenses does South Carolina issue?
- Residential Builder
- Residential Specialty Contractor (registration, e.g. carpentry, roofing, siding, drywall, masonry, painting, insulation, flooring)
- General Contractor - Building (Contractor's Licensing Board)
How do you get a contractor license in South Carolina?
Licenses are issued by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (Residential Builders Commission; Contractor's Licensing Board). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (Residential Builders Commission; Contractor's Licensing Board) 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 South Carolina?
The Census Bureau counted 1,389 residential remodelers with employees in South Carolina in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Charleston County | 267 |
|---|---|
| Greenville County | 191 |
| Horry County | 123 |
| Beaufort County | 101 |
| Lexington County | 85 |
| Richland County | 77 |
| Berkeley County | 67 |
| York County | 63 |
What do South Carolina homes mean for home improvement work?
The median home in South Carolina was built in 1991, 29% of households rent and 68% of homes are single-family houses. 23% of homes heat with utility gas and 71% with electricity, and 1% with fuel oil.
How do you choose a home improvement contractor in South Carolina?
- 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: South Carolina licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.