Before appointing an Irish contractor or subcontractor, check the company behind the quotation and collect evidence appropriate to the project. The public company record helps establish legal identity and historical context; it does not prove technical competence, insurance cover, tax compliance, safety performance or suitability for your particular work.
Use two checks, not one
First verify the legal company and its public record. Then run a separate project-specific process for scope, insurance, references, capability, statutory obligations, safety documentation and contract controls.
Identify the contractor’s legal entity
Ask for the full legal company name and CRO registration number, then match them to the quotation, contract, invoices and payment details. A trading name can differ from the incorporated company. If the document names a sole trader, partnership or group brand, establish exactly who will contract and who is responsible for the work.
What a company search can help you check
| Public-record check | Useful for | Not proof of |
|---|---|---|
| Legal name and CRO number | Matching the correct incorporated entity | Authority to sign, work quality or bank ownership |
| Status and filing history | Identifying recorded status notices and compliance context | Current trading capacity or project performance |
| Accounts and charges | Historical financial and secured-lending context | Current cash, creditworthiness or ability to complete a project |
| Officers and registered office | Context for due diligence and contact matching | Ownership, competence or insurance |
Contractor and subcontractor due-diligence checklist
- Verify legal identity. Record legal name, CRO number, registered office and authorised contracting contact.
- Match scope and procurement record. Ensure the quote, order, contract, drawings and variations name the same entity.
- Check public-record context. Review status, latest filings, officers, charges and available accounts.
- Obtain project-specific evidence. Ask for insurance certificates, references, competence evidence, method statements and documentation required for your project.
- Verify evidence independently. Contact insurers, referees or relevant issuers through independently sourced details where the exposure warrants it.
- Set contract controls. Agree scope, milestones, retention, variations, payment conditions, warranties and termination rights in writing.
- Monitor through delivery. Review progress, compliance, change requests and payment evidence before each release.
Why insurance and competence need separate verification
A company profile will not tell you whether a particular insurance policy is current, adequate for the project or subject to exclusions. Nor will it show whether a contractor has the people, equipment, permissions or experience needed for a specific job. Request documents appropriate to the scope and verify them through reliable sources. Do not assume that incorporation alone creates any of these protections.
Assess financial and continuity risk in context
A supplier’s public accounts, charges and filing history can help you decide how much commercial protection is sensible. Check the accounts date, recent changes, status and any apparent overdue filings. For a material contract, consider staged payments, retention, a bond or guarantee where appropriate, and contingency planning for a replacement contractor. Use professional advice on the commercial and legal protections that fit the work.
Read credit-checking a new customer, overdue accounts and CRO filing history for public-record review steps.
Common mistakes to avoid
- contracting with a trading name when the legal entity is unclear;
- accepting an insurance certificate without checking its relevance, currency and issuing source;
- assuming Normal CRO status is a financial, safety or quality approval;
- paying a large mobilisation amount without an agreed milestone, evidence or protection;
- using a reference supplied by the contractor without independent verification;
- failing to update the check when the scope or project value changes.
Check the company behind the quote
Search the contractor free, or order a Businesses.ie report to consolidate available identity, status, officers, filings, charges and financial information before deciding what further project checks are needed.
Sources and review note
This guide was reviewed on 4 August 2026 against CRO guidance on access to CRO data and annual returns. It is general information, not construction, procurement, safety, insurance or legal advice.