Do gutter contractors need a license in NJ?
What the 13VH number is
Every registered New Jersey home improvement contractor is issued a unique 13-digit registration number beginning with 13VH. By law it has to appear on their contracts, advertisements, business cards, estimates, and proposals for residential work in New Jersey. Registration runs on a two-year cycle and must be renewed to stay current.
So if you're looking at a gutter company's truck, website, or estimate and there's no 13VH number anywhere — that's your first question, not your last.
What NJ requires of a registered contractor
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Registration | HIC registration with NJ Division of Consumer Affairs |
| Number | 13-digit, begins with 13VH |
| Where it must appear | Contracts, ads, business cards, estimates, proposals |
| Liability insurance | Minimum $500,000 per occurrence |
| Workers' comp | Required where applicable |
| Renewal | Every 2 years |
How to check before you hire
1. Ask for the 13VH number. Any legitimate contractor gives it instantly — it's on their paperwork by law. 2. Verify it through the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs' public license verification lookup at njconsumeraffairs.gov. Confirm the name matches the company you're actually dealing with and that the registration is current. 3. Ask for a certificate of insurance sent directly from their carrier, not a photocopy from their glovebox.
Why this matters more than people think
Gutter work happens on a ladder, two or three stories up, on your property. If an uninsured worker falls at your house, you can end up personally exposed — that's the real reason the insurance requirement exists, and the real reason "he's cheaper, he just does it cash" is a bad trade.
The other half is recourse. A registered contractor has something to lose: complaints go to the Division of Consumer Affairs and attach to their registration. An unregistered one can vanish and reappear under a new name next spring.
Red flags
No 13VH number on the estimate · won't provide a certificate of insurance · cash-only, large deposit up front · no written contract · pressure to sign today · a "special price" only if you decide immediately · an address that turns out to be a mailbox. Storm season in New Jersey reliably brings out-of-state crews doing exactly this.
What a proper contract should include
The 13VH number, the contractor's legal name and address, total price, start and completion dates, a description of the work and materials (gutter size, gauge, color, number of downspouts), warranty terms, and your three-day right to cancel. If it's a napkin with a number on it, it isn't a contract.
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FAQ
Do gutter contractors need a license in New Jersey?
New Jersey does not issue a specific "gutter license," but gutter work on homes falls under home improvement work, which requires registration as a Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs. Registered contractors receive a 13-digit number beginning with 13VH.
What is a 13VH number?
It is the unique 13-digit New Jersey Home Improvement Contractor registration number, which always begins with "13VH." It must appear on contracts, advertisements, business cards, estimates, and proposals for residential work in New Jersey.
How do I check if a NJ contractor is registered?
Ask for the 13VH number and verify it through the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, which maintains a public license verification lookup at njconsumeraffairs.gov. A contractor who will not give you the number is a contractor to walk away from.
What insurance must NJ contractors carry?
Registered New Jersey home improvement contractors must carry commercial general liability insurance with a minimum of $500,000 per occurrence, from a carrier authorized in New Jersey. Workers compensation is also required where applicable. Always ask for a certificate of insurance naming you.
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