Delaware

Delaware does not have a statewide general contractor's license in the traditional sense, but the Delaware Home Improvement Contractor Registration Act (6 Del. C. Chapter 25) requires contractors who perform home improvement work on residential property to register with the Delaware Division of Revenue before doing any work. Registration is not the same as a license — it confirms the contractor has filed with the state, not that they have passed a trade examination.

Ask for the contractor's Delaware home improvement contractor registration number and verify it through the Delaware Division of Revenue. Confirm the contractor is registered as a business with the Delaware Division of Corporations at icis.corp.delaware.gov. Request certificates of general liability insurance and workers' compensation and verify both directly with the insurers. Check the Better Business Bureau and ask for references from recent Delaware projects.

Yes. Electrical contractors and electricians are licensed under Title 24, Chapter 14 of the Delaware Code through the Delaware Board of Electrical Examiners — verify at dpr.delaware.gov. Plumbing contractors are licensed under Title 24, Chapter 12 through the Delaware Board of Plumbing, Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. HVAC contractors fall under the same board. Always verify specialty trade licenses at dpr.delaware.gov before hiring subcontractors.

Yes. Under 6 Del. C. §2502A, contractors performing home improvement work on residential property in Delaware must register with the Division of Revenue before beginning any work, regardless of project value. Registration requires proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation. An unregistered contractor cannot enforce a home improvement contract or collect payment in Delaware courts, and homeowners harmed by unregistered contractors have recourse through the Delaware Consumer Fraud Act (6 Del. C. §2513).

Some jurisdictions do. Wilmington has its own contractor licensing requirements through the Department of Licenses and Inspections (wilmingtonde.gov). Newark and Dover require permits and may have additional local contractor registration requirements — contact their respective building departments before hiring. Always check with your local building department, as state registration alone may not satisfy local requirements for permit-pulling or specialty work.

Require general liability insurance (at least $500,000 per occurrence for most residential projects) and workers' compensation insurance. Workers' compensation is mandatory for employers with one or more employees under Delaware Code Title 19, Chapter 23. Without a statewide licensing board providing a safety net, you must verify insurance coverage directly with the insurer — a certificate of insurance alone does not confirm the policy is currently in force.

Yes. Under Delaware's Home Improvement Contractor Registration Act (6 Del. C. §2503), home improvement contracts valued at $100 or more must be in writing and signed by both parties. The contract must include the contractor's registration number, a description of the work, the total price, and a payment schedule. Contractors who fail to provide a written contract are in violation of the Act and may face civil penalties.

File a complaint with the Delaware Department of Justice Consumer Protection Unit under the Delaware Consumer Fraud Act (6 Del. C. §2513) at ago.delaware.gov. The AG's office can pursue civil penalties and injunctions. You may also sue in Delaware Justice of the Peace Court (small claims up to $15,000) or Court of Common Pleas for larger amounts. Document all work deficiencies, communications, and payments in writing before filing any complaint.

Delaware is a small state with primarily local building departments. Wilmington's Department of Licenses and Inspections is at wilmingtonde.gov; Newark's building department is at newarkde.gov; Dover's building permits and inspections department is at dover.de.gov. For New Castle County unincorporated areas, contact the Department of Land Use at newcastlede.gov. Sussex and Kent county residents should contact their county planning offices directly.