Plain-language guides to licensing, public bidding and getting paid in Virginia, written from the statutes, rules and agency pages and linked to them.
Licensing
Virginia's Board for Contractors licenses firms in three classes based on the size of a single job and a firm's 12-month volume. Here are the current dollar limits and how specialties work.
Reviewed Oct 30, 2026
Bidding
VDOT requires prequalification before you bid or subcontract, posts every advertisement on its Construction Advertisement Bulletin Board, and takes bids electronically.
Reviewed Oct 30, 2026
Lien law
A Virginia memorandum of mechanics' lien must be recorded within 90 days of the end of the month you last worked, and suit follows within six months. On public jobs, bond claims run on a 90-day notice and one-year suit clock.
Reviewed Oct 30, 2026
Procurement
Virginia state agencies, colleges and many localities post solicitations on eVA, the Commonwealth's eProcurement marketplace.
Reviewed Oct 30, 2026
Guides are general information, not legal advice.