The goal of the building officials and the Home Builders Licensure Board is to promote public health, safety, and welfare. As a team, the shared goal of protecting consumers from unlicensed builders can be reached. No consumer wants to be blindsided by an unlicensed builder. The building inspections department is the first line of defense. The quickest way to stop an unlicensed builder is to deny the permit and report the unlicensed activity to the Board.
Stop Work Orders
When an unlicensed builder is identified and work is ongoing, the Board can post a stop work order. The Board will lift the stop work order and provide notification to the building official upon receipt of the following:
- An Affidavit from the homeowner, licensee or exempt general contractor
- Building permit issued to the homeowner, licensee, or exempt general contractor if the residence is in a permitted area
- Contract between the homeowner and the licensee or exempt general contractor
If the building official posts a stop work order because the builder does not hold a residential home builders license issued by the Board, the building official must notify the Board.
Reporting Unlicensed Builders
To report an unlicensed builder, call the Builder Watch Hotline at (800) 304-0853 or complete a Unlicensed Builder Tip sheet for building officials.
Reporting Licensees
To report a licensee in violation of Home Builder Law, call the Builder Watch Hotline at (800) 304-0853.
Revocations and Suspensions
The Board provides notification to building officials upon the suspension or revocation of a residential home builders license.
Residential Swimming Pool Advisory Opinion
The Board issued an advisory opinion at their Board meeting held September 24, 2026, addressing residential swimming pools. While this advisory opinion provides some guidance, it does not answer all issues relating to general contractor swimming pool licensees, building departments, or the general public. The Board strongly encourages concerned parties to review the advisory opinion with legal counsel and perhaps seek further guidance through all available avenues. The Board further cautions any office issuing permits, business licenses or other licenses from making substantive policy changes with regard to GC swimming pool licensees until there is more appropriate legal guidance.
ISSUE: Whether residential swimming pools will be under the jurisdiction of the Home Builders Licensure Board starting 10/1/2026; and, Effective 10/1/2026. whether a holder of a home builders license without limitation will be able to construct residential swimming pools with the license.
OPINION: The Board does not have explicit jurisdiction over residential swimming pools after October 1, 2026, because Act 2026-396 does not establish any new statutory authority for the Board for the regulation of residential swimming pools but, rather, only exempts residential swimming pools from the jurisdiction of the Alabama Licensing Board of General Contractors. It is the opinion of the Board that, post-October 1., 2026 where the cost of the undertaking for the construction, installation or repair of a residential swimming pool exceeds $10,000, a company or individual holding a home builders license without limitation may perform such residential swimming pool construction activity until such time as any legislative action court order, or Attorney General's Opinion addresses jurisdiction of residential swimming pools.
Click here for the complete advisory opinion.
Solar Panel Advisory Opinion
Advisory Opinion, AD OP 22-068
ISSUE: Whether companies and/or individuals need a residential home builders license to install solar panels on residential structures within the state of Alabama.
OPINION: For the installation of solar panels on a residential structure where the cost of the undertaking exceeds $10,000, or $2,500 when the panels are installed on the residential roof, an unlimited license issued by the Board is required.
Click here for the complete advisory opinion.