The City of Aiken Business License Division would like to remind all citizens about the need for companies or individuals working inside the city limits to purchase a business license. You should verify city and state licenses of anyone wishing to perform services for you BEFORE you sign any contracts or reach any form of agreement, to avoid becoming the victim of scams or shoddy work. There are several ways you may do this:
- Contact Nathan Campbell at 803-642-7642 or by email at licenses@cityofaikensc.gov to verify licenses for any work per-formed inside the City of Aiken. If you live outside the city, you may contact the Better Business Bureau at 706-724-1574 to see if any complaints are filed against a particular company.
- Ask the business owner or individual for a copy of a city or state license. You may also want to verify insurance coverage, workers’ compensation coverage, or similar information to protect yourself and your property.
- For all contractors and landscapers, look for a decal on their windshield showing they are licensed by the City of Aiken. These decals are renewed each year with the business licenses and change colors to keep the years separate. The current year decals are red and are marked with an expiration date.
Even though a license is not a guarantee of work, it does show a company is trying to operate legally and has met the requirements to obtain a license. It also provides a tracking source to be able to contact the company in the future. Protect yourself and your property by checking out anyone you are planning to do business with. If someone tells you they are licensed, but cannot produce a copy or tells you they are not required to have a license, verify this with the Business License Department. We are here to serve and assist you, so please feel free to contact us at 803-642-7642 if you have any questions or need further information.
