Verify Before You Hire: How to Check a West Virginia Contractor

After a flood, a storm or a fire, you may need to hire someone fast. That’s exactly when it pays to slow down for ten minutes and check them out. These are the same steps we’d tell our own family to take, whoever they hire.

Red Ridge Contracting · WV Contractor License #WV064509 · IICRC Certified. Have damage right now? Call 24/7: (304) 439-6619. Available 24/7, on site in 120 minutes or less across north central WV.

Step 1: Look Up the Contractor’s WV License

In West Virginia, construction work that totals $2,500 or more in labor and materials requires a contractor license. You can check any license for free:

Go to the West Virginia Contractor Licensing Board’s search page: wvclboard.wv.gov/verify.
Enter the license number. WV license numbers start with “WV.”
Check that the company name matches the business you’re talking to, that the license hasn’t expired, and that the classification fits the work you need.

You can also call the Contractor Licensing Board at (304) 558-7890.

Try it with ours: search WV064509 to see Red Ridge Contracting’s license.

State law also requires a licensed contractor to put its license number on its advertising and contracts, and to post the license at the job site. If you can’t find a license number anywhere, ask for it.

Step 2: Ask for Proof of Insurance

Ask the contractor for a current certificate of insurance before work starts. Look at:

The company name. It should match the contractor you’re hiring.
The dates. The policy should be active for the time your job will run.
The type of coverage. Liability coverage protects your property if something goes wrong. Ask about workers’ compensation coverage for the crew, too.

If you have questions about a certificate, you can call the insurance agency listed on it. Want ours? Call or text (304) 439-6619 or email service@redridgewv.com and we’ll send it.

Step 3: Get It in Writing

Written estimate. It should describe the work, the materials, the price and the contractor’s contact information. Getting more than one estimate is fine, and a big price gap is worth asking about.
Written contract. In West Virginia, a licensed contractor can’t do work worth $10,000 or more, labor and materials included, without a written contract that describes the work and its cost and is signed by both of you. Even on smaller jobs, ask for one.
No blank spaces. Don’t sign anything with blanks someone could fill in later.
Payment schedule. Know what’s due and when. Keep invoices and receipts.

Step 4: Know the Red Flags of Storm Chasers

After a big storm or flood, out-of-area crews and scammers often show up looking for quick work. Watch out for anyone who:

Knocks on your door uninvited and pushes you to decide on the spot
Can’t or won’t give you a WV license number, proof of insurance or a written contract
Says they don’t need a license for the work
Offers a “today only” discount if you sign right away
Wants full payment up front, or payment in cash, wire transfer, gift cards or a payment app
Asks you to sign a blank or incomplete contract
Asks you to sign your insurance check over to them before any work is done
Promises your insurance will pay for everything
Offers to waive or cover your deductible
Charges a fee to help you apply for FEMA assistance. FEMA doesn’t charge application fees.

If something feels off, take a day. A legitimate local contractor will still be there tomorrow.

Step 5: Check Their Reputation

Search the company’s name along with words like “review” or “complaint.” See whether they have a real local presence: a working phone number, an email address and a history in the area. Ask how they handle insurance claims and how billing works.

How Red Ridge Does It

Licensed: WV Contractor License #WV064509. Look it up any time.
Insured: We carry liability and workers’ compensation insurance, and we’ll send you a certificate of insurance on request.
Certified: IICRC certified.
Insurance: We work with any and all insurance companies, and we meet with your adjuster when needed. Billing varies from job to job, and we’ll explain how it works for yours before we start.
Deductibles: Your deductible is part of your policy. We don’t waive it.
Free inspections: We’ll look at the damage and explain your options with no pressure. Request a free inspection.
Local: Based in Buckhannon and serving Upshur, Lewis, Harrison, Randolph and Barbour Counties. See our service areas.

Questions? Call or text (304) 439-6619 or email service@redridgewv.com.