How to Verify a Chicago Contractor License
To verify a Chicago contractor license, search the City of Chicago’s free licensed general contractor lookup by company name or license number. It shows whether the license is active, its expiration date and the insurance expiration date. For a bathroom, also check the plumbing contractor and the electrical contractor, because Chicago licenses those trades separately.
Updated October 20, 2026. Sources are City of Chicago and State of Illinois pages, linked below. This is general information, not legal advice.
Which licenses a Chicago bathroom remodel needs
| Who | License | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| General contractor | City of Chicago general contractor license, classes A to E. Numbers start with “TGC”. | Most remodeling, rehabilitation and construction work in Chicago. Only one general contractor per project. |
| Plumbing | City of Chicago licensed and bonded plumbing contractor; work done by Illinois-licensed plumbers | Most plumbing work, including replacing fixtures, valves and pipes |
| Electrical | City of Chicago electrical contractor license (general, not low voltage, for Express Permit work) | New circuits, lighting, outlets, fan wiring |
| Lead-safe work | EPA RRP firm certification | Homes built before 1978 when painted surfaces are disturbed beyond small areas |
Illinois does not issue a statewide general contractor license, according to the Illinois Attorney General, so for a Chicago home the City license is the one that counts. Plumbers, however, are licensed by the State as well.
How to look up a license, step by step
- Ask for the license number. A Chicago general contractor number looks like TGC followed by digits. Ask the plumbing and electrical contractors for theirs too.
- Open the City lookup. Go to the Department of Buildings general contractor list, or start from the trade licensing page for other trades.
- Search by name or number. Make sure the company name matches the one on your quote and contract.
- Read the dates. The list shows the license expiration date and the insurance expiration date. Both should run past your project’s end date.
- Check the class. Classes set the maximum project value at one site. Class E, the smallest, covers work up to $500,000, which is enough for a residential bathroom.
License classes at a glance
| Class | Project value limit at one site | Minimum insurance per occurrence |
|---|---|---|
| A | No limit | $5 million |
| B | $20 million | $3 million |
| C | $10 million | $2 million |
| D | $4 million | $2 million |
| E | $500,000 (no demolition or excavation) | $1 million |
Questions to ask before you sign
- Who will hold the permit, and is the permit fee included in the price?
- Which licensed plumbing and electrical contractors will do that work? Are they employees or subcontractors?
- Can you send a current certificate of insurance? Condo associations usually ask for one naming the association.
- If the home was built before 1978, is the firm EPA lead-safe (RRP) certified?
- Will I get a written contract with the total price, and the brochure “Home Repair: Know Your Consumer Rights”? Illinois law requires both for jobs over $1,000.
Red flags
- No license number, or a number that does not match the company name on the quote.
- An expired license or expired insurance in the City lookup.
- An offer to skip the permit on plumbing or electrical work to lower the price.
- Pressure to pay most of the cost up front, or to pay in cash only.
- No written contract, or a contract without the company’s business name and address. Illinois requires a business address on the contract, and a residence address if the company uses a post office box.
If something goes wrong
The Department of Buildings investigates license violations by trade contractors; you can file a complaint about a Chicago-licensed trade contractor from its trade licensing page. The Illinois Attorney General also publishes consumer guidance on home repair and handles consumer fraud complaints.
Before you hire anyone
Whether you find a remodeler through us or on your own, check every license with the steps above before you sign. The remodelers we match you with are independent companies. Read how to choose a bathroom remodeler in Chicago and the Chicago bathroom permit guide.
Frequently asked questions
How do I look up a contractor license in Chicago?
Use the City of Chicago Department of Buildings licensed contractor lookup. Search by company name or license number and check that the license is active and the insurance is current.
What does a Chicago general contractor license number look like?
It starts with TGC followed by digits, for example TGC015121.
Does Illinois license general contractors?
No. The Illinois Attorney General says general contractors are not licensed at the state level, but municipalities such as Chicago require their own license and permits.
Does my plumber need a separate license?
Yes. Most plumbing work in Chicago must be done by a licensed and bonded plumbing contractor, and Illinois law requires plumbing to be done by licensed plumbers.
Which license class does a bathroom remodel need?
Any class works for a typical bathroom. Class E, the smallest, covers projects up to $500,000 at one site.
What if the license in the lookup is expired?
Do not sign until the contractor shows a current license and current insurance. Both should run past the expected end of your project.
Where can I complain about a licensed contractor?
The City of Chicago Department of Buildings investigates license violations by trade contractors, and the Illinois Attorney General handles consumer fraud complaints.
Sources
- City of Chicago, licensed general contractors (active): webapps1.chicago.gov. Accessed October 20, 2026.
- City of Chicago, Department of Buildings, trade licensing: chicago.gov.
- City of Chicago, general contractor license FAQ: chicago.gov; general contractor license details: chicago.gov.
- Chicago Municipal Code 4-36 (general contractors): amlegal.com.
- City of Chicago, plumbing license FAQ: chicago.gov; Illinois Plumbing License Law, 225 ILCS 320/3: ilga.gov.
- City of Chicago, electrical contractor license: chicago.gov.
- Illinois Attorney General, “Home Repair and Construction: How to Choose a Contractor”: illinoisattorneygeneral.gov.
- Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act, 815 ILCS 513/15 and 513/20: ilga.gov.
- U.S. EPA, RRP firm certification: epa.gov.
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