How to Verify an Oregon Contractor

1. Check the license

Every Oregon contractor must hold an active CCB (Construction Contractors Board) license. An active license means they've met bonding, insurance, and training requirements.

• Active — Current and in good standing
• Expired — License lapsed; they cannot legally perform work
• Suspended — License revoked due to violations

2. Verify bonds and insurance

Oregon requires contractors to carry a surety bond and liability insurance. These protect you if work is defective or the contractor causes damage.

• Surety bond — Pays claims if the contractor fails to perform
• Liability insurance — Covers property damage and injuries on your job
• Check that both are current (not expired)

3. Look at complaint history

The CCB tracks complaints filed against contractors. Not all complaints indicate bad work — some are disputed or withdrawn — but a pattern is a red flag.

• Zero complaints — Great sign, especially for established contractors
• Unpaid claims — The contractor owes money from a complaint; serious concern
• Disciplinary action — CCB imposed penalties; investigate further

4. Review inspection quality

When contractors pull building permits, their work gets inspected. The first-pass rate tells you how often their work passes inspection the first time.

• 85%+ first-pass rate — Excellent quality
• 70-84% — Average; some corrections needed
• Below 70% — Below average; frequent rework
• No data — Contractor may work in areas without electronic records

5. Check permit history

A contractor with many completed permits has a track record you can evaluate. Look for projects similar to yours in size and type. Contractors with no permit history may work in jurisdictions we don't cover yet, or may not pull permits (a red flag for larger projects).