Get Quotes from Top Contractors in Wilmington, NC
How to Verify a Professional's License in Wilmington?
Under Chapter 55B of the North Carolina Professional Corporations Act, certain professionals are required to obtain licenses before carrying out work and you should also endeavor to hire only licensed professionals in order to ensure that you have a successful project. Over 30 licensing boards issue these licenses to professionals in Wilmington, and you can call the North Carolina Consumer Complaint Division at (919) 716-6000 to verify that a professional you intend to hire is properly licensed. Alternatively, you can verify the license of your intended professional by contacting or visiting the verification portal of the licensing board under which that professional should be licensed. For example, if the professional you intend to hire is to carry out projects in relation to home improvement and general contracting, you can contact the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors at (919) 571-4183 or access the Licensee and Qualifier Search box provided by this board for license verification purposes.
In addition to getting the right professional for your project, you may also have satisfy certain local requirements before commencing this project. For projects that would involve demolition, alteration, construction, change of building use, and other similar actions in Wilmington, you will need to obtain a permit from the New Hannover County Department of Planning, Transportation, and Development. You can apply for these permits through the Customer Online Access Services Tool or you can contact the department at (910) 254-0900 to make inquiries on permit requirements.
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Do Wilmington Neighborhood Councils
Issue Permits?
Wilmington Neighborhood associations and groups do not issue permits to residents, businesses, or any other parties. Instead, they work hand in hand with the city's government to promote programs and initiatives that drive growth and progress in these various neighborhoods. On August 17th, 2021, the Wilmington City Council unanimously voted to adopt a new land development code which will come into effect by December of the same year. The new code is aimed at managing the city's future growth, making the city more convenient for its residents, and restoring the tree canopy that the city once had. Earlier in the year, the city finally approved the renovation of the Bijou Park connecting Front Street and Water Street after delays caused by an overshoot in the proposed budget.
How to File an Unfair Business
Complaint in Wilmington?
The North Carolina Consumer Protection Division helps protect Wilmington consumers by providing a way in which complaints against scams, fraud, and illegal business practices by businesses and professionals can be reported. If you are a resident of Wilmington and have been a victim of fraud or any other unfair business practice, you can call the Division's consumer assistance line at (919) 716-6000 or you can file an online complaint. When filing your complaint online you can attach four supporting documents to the online form. However, if you have more supporting documents to send across, you will need to download the completed form and send the additional supporting documents along with a copy of the form to
- 14 West Edenton Street
- Raleigh, NC 27603
The Attorney General's Office cannot help you institute personal legal action or give you legal advice. However, when your complaint is received, it is investigated, and if it is decided that another agency is better placed to handle it, the complaint may be forwarded to that agency. If it is not sent to another agency, the complaint is forwarded to the business complained of for a response. The Division will work with both you and the business to try and reach a resolution, but it cannot compel the business to restitute or reach a resolution that you consider proper. In some instances, if it is noted that the business has shown a pattern of illegal activities, legal action may be instituted in the public interest. If you consider the resolution reached at the end of the complaint process unsatisfactory, you can proceed to a New Hannover County Courthouse to file a small claims lawsuit against the business or contact a private attorney to help you file a suit.