Licensing may sound less exciting than some of the other parts of a build, but it is one of the most important parts of any construction project. It’s something we take seriously at Raby.

One of the most important steps to finding the right general contractor for your project is to ensure they are licensed by the state of South Carolina. Surprisingly, it is one of the most overlooked steps, but the state of South Carolina has laws in place to protect clients. 

Obtaining your licensing is not an easy feat and we are proud to not only be licensed in South Carolina, but also North Carolina. Our founder, Michael Raby, also holds his professional engineering license. 

The South Carolina Department of LLR (Labor Licensing and Regulation) oversees General Contractors as well as several other professions. They make sure these professions and occupations comply with state laws. 

When it comes to construction, LLR is responsible for issuing licenses to qualified general contractors. For a construction business to qualify for a license with the Building Classification one has to have a primary qualifying party. This person has to have the following requirements:

  • Pass the technical exam
  • Pass the SC Business Management and Law for commercial contractor exam.
  • Have two years of experience performed within the last five years for the requested classification or subclassification.

LLR categorizes construction and contractor licenses into different categories based on the type of work a contractor is licensed to perform. Each classification, from general contracting to masonry, has special requirements and scopes for their work. Licenses guarantee that the people building homes, malls, or any structure have the right skills and knowledge to do what you need. 

In a nutshell, construction licensing is like the guardrails of any building project. It keeps everything running smoothly, safely, and up to standard. Just like you wouldn’t want an unlicensed driver behind the wheel of a car, you wouldn’t want an unlicensed builder constructing the roof over your head.  

At Raby, we can assure you that we have the proper licensing for every single project in our portfolio. And that is one of the most crucial steps in making every project a reality.