Don’t Get Burned by an Unlicensed Contractor

prescottroots19
May 6
3 min read

When it comes to improving your property, who you hire matters just as much as the materials you choose. At Prescott Roots, we’ve seen firsthand how cutting corners upfront can cost homeowners double (or more) down the road.

Licensed Doesn’t Mean “Big Company” It Means Accountable

Here’s the reality: being licensed does NOT mean you have to grow into a massive company with multiple crews and flashy trucks. It means you’re committed to doing quality work and willing to stand behind it.

A contractor’s license is about accountability. It shows that the contractor is serious enough about their craft to meet state requirements, operate professionally, and warranty their work.

So ask yourself this: why would you hire a “professional” who isn’t even willing to prove their qualifications or back up their own workmanship?

If someone is truly confident in their skills, materials, and installation methods, they should have no issue being licensed and standing behind the work they perform.

Unfortunately, too many vulnerable homeowners get pulled in by cheap bids from unlicensed contractors who disappear when problems start showing up. Once the pavers shift, the wall fails, or the turf wrinkles, the homeowner is left paying someone else to fix it.

At the end of the day, licensing isn’t about being the biggest company in town. It’s about integrity, professionalism, and giving homeowners peace of mind that the job will be done right, and backed up if it isn’t.

Verifying Contractors

Using resources like the ROC and YCCA can reveal a contractor’s professionalism, history and credibility.

You can:

Verify their license is active
See how long they’ve been licensed
Check for complaints or disciplinary actions
See how they are viewed within the local community

Without doing this due diligence, you’re essentially trusting someone with your property, and your money, with no safety net.

The Risk of Unlicensed Contractors

Unlicensed contractors often win jobs with low bids. On paper, it looks like a great deal.

But here’s what we commonly see happen:

Cheap materials that don’t last
Skipping critical prep work
Rushed or improper installation
No accountability if something fails

And the hardest truth: if something goes wrong, there is often little to no recourse. You’re left footing the bill to fix it.

A Real-World Example: Pavers Done Wrong

Pavers are one of the most common projects we get called to fix.

At first glance, installing pavers seems simple. Level the ground, lay them down, done… right?

Not even close.

Proper paver installation requires:

Correct excavation depth
Compacted base material (not just dirt)
Proper grading and drainage
Bedding sand and joint stabilization

When this is skipped or done incorrectly, the result is:

Uneven surfaces
Sunken or shifting pavers
Water pooling issues
Dangerous tripping hazards
An overall look that quickly turns from “clean” to “cheap”

We’ve seen jobs where homeowners paid once for the install… and then paid again to have it torn out and done correctly.

A License is The Starting Point, Not The Finish Line

The reality many homeowners face is, choosing a licensed contractor can still feel overwhelming. Not all licensed contractors are the same, and a license alone does not automatically make someone honest, trustworthy, or skilled.

That’s why we recommend:

Getting multiple bids
Asking questions about materials and process
Read reviews
Looking at past projects
Checking complaint history
Trusting reputable local organizations like the YCCA

A good contractor should be transparent, communicative, and willing to stand behind their work long after the final payment is made.

Hire Smart, Not Cheap

Hiring a licensed contractor isn’t just about checking a box, it’s about protecting your investment, your property, and your peace of mind. Because when the dust settles, the quality of the work, and the integrity of the contractor behind it, is what you’ll live with for years to come.