1. Verify the license, and check that it fits your project
Every contractor in Nevada must be licensed by the Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB). Look the company up on the NSCB license search by name or license number and check three things. First, that the license is active. Second, that the classification covers your work. A general building (B) license covers projects of any height. A B-2 "Residential and Small Commercial" license covers buildings no taller than three stories above ground and one story below. Specialty (C) licenses cover a single trade. Third, check the monetary limit, which is the maximum contract value the contractor may take on for one client at one site. Also confirm that the contact details on the license match the company you are talking to. Our guide to Nevada contractor license classes explains each one.
For example, Modern Ridge Builders LLC holds NSCB license #0095536, classification B-2 (Residential and Small Commercial). You can look it up yourself, and we encourage it.
2. Ask for insurance certificates and the license bond
Ask for a current certificate of insurance showing general liability and workers' compensation, and ask to be named as an additional insured if your lease or lender requires it. Nevada contractors must also carry a license bond. For larger projects, ask whether the contractor can provide performance and payment bonds, and at what cost.
3. Find out who will actually run the job
The person who sells a project is often not the person who runs it. Ask who will manage the schedule, who will be on site each day and how you reach them. A contractor whose principal stays involved from bid to closeout gives you one accountable person. Large firms can do excellent work, but on a small or mid-size project you may be a low priority. Ask how many projects your project manager is carrying.
4. Compare bids on scope, not just price
Two bids for the same drawings can differ because one contractor priced everything and the other left gaps to be filled with change orders later. Ask how each number was built. Was it a detailed quantity takeoff with current subcontractor pricing, or a square-foot estimate? Line the bids up against the drawings: allowances, exclusions, permit fees, fire alarm and sprinkler work, low-voltage, after-hours work and cleanup are where they usually differ. A low number with long exclusions is not the low bid. Our article on what drives tenant improvement cost lists the items that move the budget most.
5. Ask for a schedule, and how it accounts for permits
A credible schedule names the permitting jurisdiction, because the City of Las Vegas, Clark County, Henderson and North Las Vegas each have their own building department and review times. It should also show long-lead items such as HVAC units, electrical gear and storefront glass, and when they will be ordered. Ask what happens if a review comes back with corrections. See our permit timeline guide for published review times.
6. Agree on communication and change orders in writing
Most construction disputes start with poor communication, not poor workmanship. Agree up front on how often you will get updates (weekly owner reports are a good baseline), how RFIs and submittals are handled, and how change orders are priced and approved before the work happens. Nobody should be surprised by a change order on the final invoice.
7. Get lien releases with payments
Nevada's mechanic's lien law (NRS Chapter 108) lets subcontractors and suppliers who aren't paid record a lien on the property. Protect yourself by getting lien releases on the statutory Nevada forms with each progress payment and at final payment, from the general contractor and, on larger jobs, from the major subcontractors and suppliers. A well-run contractor will have this process ready before you ask.
8. Look at real projects and talk to past clients
Ask for project photos with names and locations, and for a reference or two from a similar project. Read Google reviews for detail, not just the star count: what went wrong, and how the contractor handled it. Ask a recent client whether they would hire the contractor again.
How Modern Ridge Builders answers these questions
We are a Las Vegas commercial general contractor led by Tyler Grove, who has worked in construction since 2005. The same people who bid your job manage it through completion. Bids come from thorough takeoffs and real subcontractor pricing, you get weekly owner reports, and we respond to inquiries within one business day. You can see our work on the projects page. Whoever you hire, use this checklist.
Sources
- NSCB license search
- Nevada State Contractors Board
- NAC Chapter 624 (license classifications)
- NRS Chapter 108 (liens)
Last reviewed 2026-10-24. Rules, fees and review times change, so confirm current requirements with the agency before you rely on them. This article is general information, not legal advice.