Hiring · Updated 2026-04-25
How do I choose a licensed roofer or electrician in Suffolk County?
Verify the contractor's Suffolk County Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) license, the master-electrician license number, current insurance certificate, and a sample of recent town-permit pulls.
Suffolk County requires a Home Improvement Contractor license for almost any residential exterior work, and a separate Master Electrician license for any electrical work. Both license numbers can be verified online through the Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing & Consumer Affairs. Always pair license verification with a Certificate of Insurance and a list of recent permit pulls in your town.
Step-by-step
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1
Get the contractor's full legal business name + license numbers in writing
Ask for the licensed-business name (not just a DBA), Suffolk HIC #, and Master Electrician # if applicable. Refusal to share is itself a red flag.
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2
Verify the HIC license at Suffolk County LLCA
Search the LLCA HIC database. Confirm 'Active' status, expiration date past your project, and the licensee name matches the contract.
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3
Verify the Master Electrician license
Search the LLCA electrician database separately. Required for any electrical work including solar AC, battery, EV charger, panel upgrade.
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4
Demand a Certificate of Insurance with you as holder
GL $1M+, NY Workers' Comp, NY Disability. The COI must name you as the certificate holder — verify directly with the issuing carrier if anything looks off.
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5
Ask for a sample of recent permits in your town
Reputable LI contractors can name 5+ recent jobs in your town's building department. Cross-check 1–2 against the town's online permit-search portal.
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6
Get the contract in writing with start/finish dates and a fair payment schedule
NY law caps the down payment percentage and requires a written contract with cancellation rights. No paid-in-full-up-front contractors.
Common follow-up questions
What's the difference between an HIC license and an electrician license?
Suffolk County's HIC license covers home-improvement contracting (roofing, siding, decks, solar mounting). The Master Electrician license is a separate, harder credential covering any electrical work — including the AC side of a solar / battery install. Solar PV installers commonly hold both licenses or partner with a licensed electrician.
How do I verify both licenses online?
Visit Suffolk County's LLCA license-search page, enter the contractor name or license number, and confirm status is 'Active.' The Master Electrician database is separate from the HIC database; check both. Compare the licensee's name on file to the name on the contract — out-of-state contractors sometimes 'borrow' a local license, which is illegal.
What insurance certificates should I demand?
A current Certificate of Insurance (COI) showing General Liability ($1M+), Workers' Compensation, and Disability (NY State requires both for any contractor with employees). The COI should list YOU as the certificate holder (not just the contractor). Skipping this means you're financially liable if anyone is hurt on your property.
By the numbers
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Need help with this on Long Island?
NovaLee Solutions is a licensed roofing, solar, and electrical contractor serving Suffolk County and all of Long Island. Our crew is GAF-certified, Tesla-Powerwall-certified, and Suffolk County master-electrician licensed.