Maintenance Committee

By David Michaelson, Chair

Reston is full of beautiful homes, proud homeowners, and strong neighborhood associations like Lakeport—but even in our well-established community, contractor horror stories still happen. Maybe you’ve heard one from a neighbor: a roofer who disappears mid-project, a siding job that fails inspection, or a contractor who walks off with a deposit and never returns. That’s not just frustrating. It can be financially devastating. Therefore, every Reston homeowner should check contractors’ credentials before signing anything. It could save you thousands of dollars.


But let’s go deeper than “Check their license.” Here’s why it matters—and how it could save you $25,000. What happens when you hire an unlicensed contractor? Let’s say a contractor offers you a lower price than anyone else. You’re tempted. They don’t have a license, but they say that’s “just a formality.” You agree, they start work—and halfway through, they ask for more money. Then they vanish. Now you’re left with a torn-up roof, a lien on your home from unpaid suppliers, or even code violations from improper installation.

And guess what? Because the contractor wasn’t licensed, Virginia’s recovery fund can’t help you. Licensed contractors contribute to the Virginia Home Improvement Guaranty Fund, which protects homeowners up to $20,000–$25,000 if something goes wrong. That safety net disappears when you hire someone without a valid license. 


Furthermore, Reston’s clusters like Lakeport are governed by HOAs with strict architectural guidelines that supplement and also must comply with Reston Association’s overarching Design Standards. If you hire an unlicensed contractor who doesn’t follow those rules, you could be forced to undo the work at your own expense. But licensed contractors are required to follow building codes, manufacturer specs, and RA and HOA guidelines—in that order. So you should insist that any contract you sign includes this language so you’re never stuck holding the bag if someone questions your upgrades later. 

Specifically, your contractor should be happy to provide you with Class A and MHIC license numbers and provide written contracts with clear scopes, specs, and timelines. In addition, contractors should never, ever ask for final payment until the following conditions are met: 


- the job is complete; 


- you’ve received a photo-based report showing what was installed; and


- you’ve had the chance to review the work with the contractor on-site.


And if anything needs a tweak post-installation, contractors should assure you they will come back and fix it.

Look at it this way: Would you hire an unlicensed doctor? Sounds silly, right? But when someone works on your roof or siding, they’re protecting your family, your belongings, and your home’s biggest barrier against the elements. Wouldn’t you want that person to be qualified, vetted, and accountable? 


How do you ensure that is the case? You verify the company’s license by visiting the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation’s License Lookup at https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/LicenseLookup. Search by company name or license number. Don’t feel awkward asking a contractor for proof. A legitimate professional will appreciate the question.