Beware of unlicensed and uninsured contractors. If you don’t hire a licensed and insured contractor, you take on the liabilities of a contractor.

Any damage done to utility lines would be your responsibility as would medical bills and a period of unemployment if the person you hire doesn’t have workers compensation coverage. What makes it even riskier is most homeowners insurance specifically excludes claims caused if you knowingly or negligently hire an unlicensed, uninsured contractor.

Before hiring a contractor for building or remodeling, you should check to see not only that they are licensed, but that they are licensed in South Carolina to do the work they are proposing. For example, there are only minimal requirements for someone to get a specialty license. Some people get them and then perform work they aren’t qualified to do. They may have a license, but not the right license. 

You can check by visiting the website of the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. There is a contractor lookup feature.