Start with the company on the contract
Write down the exact legal company name, business address and entity that will receive payments. A trading name, website brand and registered company name may differ. Ask the builder to explain that relationship rather than matching similar names by assumption.
Secretary of State registration concerns the business entity. It is separate from local authorization to perform construction. A Google verified flag concerns a business listing and is not a contractor license.
Check the project’s jurisdiction
Kansas City spans state, county and municipal systems. Johnson County maintains a contractor register; Kansas City, Missouri and Lee’s Summit have local licensing processes. Other cities may require their own credentials. Check the authority responsible for the exact parcel and the scope of work.
Our profiles record successful checks and explicitly mark incomplete ones. A missing lookup is not proof that a business is unlicensed. An inactive register entry deserves clarification with the authority and company, including whether a different operating entity holds the current credential.
Ask for current evidence
Request current liability and workers’ compensation documentation appropriate to the project and workforce, and verify it with the issuing provider. Clarify who covers work in progress, stored materials and damage to existing property.
A register status or award is not a substitute for the policy itself. Discuss coverage questions with a qualified insurance professional, especially for a renovation in an occupied house or work involving owner-supplied materials.
Compare similar completed work
Ask for recent references that resemble your house type, site and budget. Speak with a client whose construction is complete and one who has used the warranty process. Ask specific questions about schedule changes, communication, final cost and resolution of defects.
When visiting work, obtain permission and avoid entering an active site without the responsible supervisor. Photographs help assess design preferences but cannot establish concealed workmanship or code compliance.
Put the important decisions in writing
Before signing, identify the drawings and specifications that form the agreement, the pricing structure, allowances, exclusions, payment milestones and change-order process. Include the expected schedule, delay provisions, inspection responsibilities and warranty procedure.
Keep signed changes and payment records together. Have a qualified local adviser review contract terms and financial commitments where needed; this guide is a research checklist and does not settle your legal rights.
- Confirm who obtains permits and schedules inspections.
- Ask how subcontractor payments and lien documentation are handled.
- Define substantial completion and the final punch-list process.
- Identify warranty contacts, reporting deadlines and response procedures.
- Resolve unanswered credential questions before making a deposit.
Sources & dates
- Johnson County contractor licensing · checked 2026-10-27
- Kansas City contractor licensing · checked 2026-10-27
- Lee’s Summit licensing · checked 2026-10-27
Questions or factual corrections: editor@homebuilderbenchmark.com.