NYC Contractor Intelligence

Every job they've ever filed. Before you hire them.

The DOB record is the most reliable proxy for contractor capability that exists. It shows exactly what they've built, at what scale, in which neighborhoods, for which owners — going back decades. Most people never look at it.

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What the DOB record actually tells you about a contractor

Every licensed contractor in NYC files permits under their DOB license number. That creates a public record — spanning two systems (BIS for legacy permits, DOB NOW for current ones) — of every job they've filed, every address they've worked at, and every permit that was issued under their name.

That record is public. It is not organized for easy lookup. BuildNYC pulls it together.

29K+
Licensed contractors profiled
5
Boroughs covered
2
DOB systems — BIS + DOB NOW

Five things to check before signing a construction contract in NYC

01
Have they done this type of project before?
Pull every job filed under their license. Filter by building class, job type, and declared cost. A contractor who claims experience with a $10M Class A gut renovation should have comparable jobs in their permit history — not only smaller fit-outs in commercial lofts.
02
Which owners keep hiring them back?
Repeat relationships between a GC and an owner across multiple buildings is the strongest endorsement that exists in the public record. BuildNYC maps every owner-contractor pairing across all shared jobs — showing you who trusts them enough to use them again, and who didn't.
03
How much are they carrying right now?
An active permit is an obligation. BuildNYC shows every currently active permitted job under a contractor's license — the buildings they're obligated to, the declared scope, and permit issue dates. A contractor managing 40 active permits across five boroughs may not have capacity to take on your project.
04
What's their track record in this neighborhood?
NYC construction varies dramatically by neighborhood — pre-war buildings in the West Village have different structural and regulatory conditions than new construction in Long Island City. A contractor's experience in your specific building type and neighborhood is material to their ability to execute.
05
What subs do they work with?
The GC pulls the permit, but the plumber, electrician, and sprinkler contractor each file their own. BuildNYC maps which specialty contractors consistently appear on jobs alongside a given GC — so you understand the full team that comes with them, not just the name on the general permit.
06
Is the license in good standing?
DOB contractor licenses have expiration dates and can be suspended or revoked. Permits filed under an expired or suspended license are invalid. Check the license status, expiration date, and whether the license is associated with the business entity you're actually contracting with.

BIS vs. DOB NOW: why you need both

NYC Department of Buildings operates two parallel systems. BIS (Buildings Information System) is the legacy platform covering most permits filed before 2016. DOB NOW is the current platform for all new filings. A contractor who has been operating in NYC for more than a decade has a split record — older jobs in BIS, newer jobs in DOB NOW.

Looking at only one system produces an incomplete picture. A GC who appears to have minimal history in DOB NOW may have an extensive BIS record going back 20 years. Conversely, a newer firm with a strong DOB NOW profile may have no history at all prior to 2016. BuildNYC consolidates both into a single timeline.

Frequently asked questions

How do I look up an NYC contractor's permit history?
NYC contractor permit history is split across BIS (legacy, pre-2016) and DOB NOW (current). A complete picture requires both. BuildNYC consolidates both into a single contractor profile with every job filed, every building touched, and every permit issued under the contractor's license number.
What does a NYC DOB contractor record show?
A DOB contractor record shows every permit application filed under the contractor's license — the property address, job type, declared scope, permit issuance date, and current status. It also shows which business names the contractor has filed under and which owners have hired them.
Can I see what buildings an NYC contractor has worked on?
Yes. Every permit issued to a contractor is tied to a specific BIN (Building Identification Number), giving you a full list of properties they've worked at. BuildNYC maps this into a searchable profile showing project history by building class, neighborhood, declared cost, and job type.
What is the difference between a GC and a subcontractor in NYC DOB filings?
The General Contractor pulls the main permit and is responsible to DOB for the job. Specialty subcontractors — plumbers, electricians, fire suppression — file separate permits under their own licenses. A complete contractor due diligence review covers both the GC and the regular subcontractors who work alongside them.
How do I verify an NYC contractor's DOB license?
NYC contractor licenses are issued by the Department of Buildings and searchable by license number or business name. A valid license shows the licensee name, license class, expiration date, and associated businesses. Verifying that the license is in good standing and associated with the correct business entity is a basic step before signing any construction contract.

Pull the full record on any NYC contractor.

29,000+ licensed entities. BIS + DOB NOW. Every job, every building, every owner relationship — in one place.

Request a contractor report → See what's included →
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