The Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board has been protecting the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Arkansas since 1939. The Board requires contractors to be licensed with the state before bidding on any residential or commercial projects in excess of $20,000.

An AR Home Improvement license must be obtained for any countertops installation project done at a single family residence when the labor and material are $2,000 or more. This includes all stone, marble and granite fabricators and installers that aren’t subcontractors of properly licensed contractors.

For projects less than $20,000 (labor and material included), a contractor will hold a ‘limited’ Home Improvement license and is not required to provide proof of Workers’ Compensation insurance. An ‘unlimited’ Home Improvement license allows a contractor to do projects of any dollar amount and must provide proof of Workers’ Compensation insurance.

Some consumer tips from the Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board when hiring a contractor include:

• Make detailed plans of your project.
• Get 2-3 estimates from different contractors and don’t necessarily choose the lowest price.
• Verify contractor’s license.
• Check references.
• Require a written contract with description of work, payment plan and completion date.
• Don’t make a large down payment. Make payments as work is completed.
• Keep a close eye on the job as it’s in progress.
• Don’t make the final payment until job is complete.
• Keep paperwork on file.

To verify licensure of a contractor, visit the AR Contractors Licensing Board’s online search tool or call 501-372-4661.