Every company in our directory is listed for free, and we don't vouch for any of them. That's your job, and in Hawaiʻi it takes about two minutes on a free state website.
Step 1: search the license
Go to the state Professional and Vocational Licensing (PVL) public search at mypvl.dcca.hawaii.gov/public-license-search. Search by the business name, the owner's name or the license number on the contract. Confirm:
- The license is current and in good standing.
- The name and address match your contract.
- The classification covers your job (see below).
Step 2: check the classification
Hawaiʻi licenses contractors in three classes:
- A: General engineering. Civil work like roads, utilities and large earthwork. An A license carries a set of specialty classifications with it, including C-17 excavating.
- B: General building. Building structures.
- C: Specialty. For excavation, look for C-17 (excavating, grading and trenching). Cesspool work falls under C-9.
A landscaper or handyman with no C-17 or A license shouldn't be running your house-pad excavation.
Step 3: check complaints
The state's Regulated Industries Complaints Office (RICO) keeps a complaint history search. The DCCA's "Hire a Licensed Contractor" guidance points consumers to the license search, the RICO complaint search and the business registration search.
Step 4: ask for insurance
The PVL record can include proof of insurance. Still, ask for a current certificate of liability insurance, and workers' comp if they have employees, before the machine shows up.
Red flags
- Large cash deposit before any work or permit.
- No written contract, or a contract with no license number.
- "We don't need a permit for that" on a big job. See the permit guide.
- Pressure to decide today.
Ready to compare? Start with our Maui excavation directory.