Pro tip: the contractor license lookup took me 2 minutes and saved me $4,800
I bid a small bathroom remodel in Salem last month and the homeowner picked a tile guy who came in $1,200 cheaper than me. Before I signed anything or even bothered matching his price, I pulled his license number off the state database. Turns out his bond had lapsed in March and he had two open complaints from jobs in Keizer and West Salem. I sent the homeowner the page link and she called me back the next morning. I got the job, and she ended up paying $4,800 more than the other guy quoted because she wanted it done right. I had no idea that lookup page even showed complaints, I just thought it confirmed the license was active. Anybody else check bonds before they even bother bidding against someone?