Renovation permits and contractor licences in Arizona

Trades that need a licence in Arizona

• General contracting and renovation

  It is unlawful in Arizona to engage in the business of, act as, or offer to act as a contractor without a contractor's licence in good standing. Licences are issued by classification: general residential contracting, general commercial building contracting, general dual licensed contracting, general engineering contracting, and specialty residential, commercial or dual licensed contracting. Ask which classification the licence carries and whether it covers your job.

  Sources:Arizona Revised Statutes 32-1151 – Contracting without a licence⁠(opens in a new tab)Arizona Revised Statutes 32-1102 – Classification of licences⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Certified trades

  There is a narrow exemption for work of a casual or minor nature below an aggregate contract price the statute sets. It does not apply where the work requires a local building permit, where the work is part of a larger project, or where contracts have been split up to get under the limit. An unlicensed person who advertises must say so with the words 'not a licensed contractor'.

  Sources:Arizona Revised Statutes 32-1121 – Persons not required to be licensed⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Consumer protection

  Above a contract value the statute sets, an Arizona home improvement contract must be in writing and must carry the contractor's name, business address and licence number, the jobsite address, the date the parties signed, the estimated completion date, a description of the work, the total to be paid, any deposit, and the stage of construction at which each progress payment is due. It must also state, prominently, that you may file a written complaint with the Registrar, and give the Registrar's phone number and website.

  Sources:Arizona Revised Statutes 32-1158 – Contract requirements⁠(opens in a new tab)

• New-home building and warranty

  The residential contractors' recovery fund exists for owners who occupy, or intend to occupy, the damaged property as their primary residence, and for certain trusts, limited liability companies, lessees and homeowner associations. The contractor must have held a valid residential contractor licence when the contract was signed, the first payment was made or the work began, so hiring an unlicensed contractor puts you outside the fund entirely.

  Sources:Arizona Revised Statutes 32-1132 – Residential contractors' recovery fund⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Plumbing

  Plumbing, electrical and other trade work is carried out under the specialty contracting classifications rather than a separate trade board, so the check is the same one: confirm the firm holds a licence and that its classification covers the specialised work. If the work is done badly, a written complaint to the Registrar can lead to a citation, though the Registrar must normally give the contractor a chance to inspect the work within fifteen days of written notice first.

  Sources:Arizona Revised Statutes 32-1102 – Classification of licences⁠(opens in a new tab)Arizona Revised Statutes 32-1155 – Filing and resolution of a complaint⁠(opens in a new tab)

Before you hire a contractor in Arizona

Practical checks you can do yourself, using official tools where they exist.

1. 1

   Look the firm up in the Registrar of Contractors' contractor search before you sign anything.

   Official lookup: Arizona Registrar of Contractors – Contractor search⁠(opens in a new tab)

2. 2

   Check that the licence classification covers your work and the kind of property, residential or commercial.

   Official lookup: Arizona Revised Statutes 32-1102 – Classification of licences⁠(opens in a new tab)

3. 3

   Get a written contract with the licence number, the jobsite address, the completion date and the payment stages.

   Official lookup: Arizona Revised Statutes 32-1158 – Contract requirements⁠(opens in a new tab)

4. 4

   Treat an unlicensed bid with care: the small-job exemption does not apply once a building permit is needed.

   Official lookup: Arizona Revised Statutes 32-1121 – Persons not required to be licensed⁠(opens in a new tab)

5. 5

   Ask your city permit office which permits the project needs before work starts.

   Official lookup: Phoenix – Planning and Development Department⁠(opens in a new tab)

6. 6

   Confirm the contractor's licence and insurance with your state or county government, and get the work, materials and price in writing.

   Official lookup: FTC – How to avoid a home improvement scam⁠(opens in a new tab)