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In fact, you should beware of any bid that is substantially lower than the others. It probably indicates that the contractor made a mistake or is not including all the work quoted by his or her competitors. You may be headed for a dispute with your contractor if you accept an abnormally low bid.

When the contractor comes to your house to give you a bid, ask to see his/her pocket license, along with a picture I.D. Make sure the person you're dealing with is the same person on the license. Contractors also can hire salespeople to work for them. Those people must be registered with CSLB as a Home Improvement Salesperson.

In California, if a contractor has employees, he/she is required to carry workers' compensation insurance. The importance of this cannot be overstated. If a worker is injured working on your property and the contractor doesn't have insurance, you could be financially liable to pay for injuries and rehabilitation. Your homeowner's insurance may or may not cover those costs.

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Learn more from the California Department of Insurance. Commercial general liability insurance is not required; however, it covers damage to your property. If the contractor does not carry general liability insurance, he/she should be able to explain how damage or losses will be; otherwise you or your insurance company could end up paying for damages.

All C-39 roofing contractors (whether or not they have employees) must carry workers' compensation insurance or have a valid Certification of Self-Insurance on file with CSLB. This information is indicated when you review the status of a contractor's license. California licensed contractors are required to have a contractor license bond.

This bond cover any project the contractor agrees to perform. Be aware: this bond is often not enough to cover multiple complaints made against it or your project if it's worth more than the value of the bond. Contract bonds guarantee both the completion of the job and payment for all labor and materials.

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The cost of this bond is usually 1-2 percent of the contract price. By law, a contractor cannot ask for a down payment of more than 10% of the contract price on a home improvement project or $1,000, whichever is less. There is one exception to this law: if the contractor has secured a "Blanket Performance and Payment Bond" and it is on file with CSLB.

A contractor with this bond on file can require the entire cost up-front. This type of bond is is generally used only by high-volume companies. There are only about two dozen licensees with a Blanket Performance and Payment Bond. For more information about bonds, read CSLB's publication,A Guide to Contractor License Bonds.

So you decided to redo your kitchen and need to know how to find a reliable contractor in your area? You’ve come to the right place! We know that looking for a contractor can be stressful, so we put this guide together to help you plan ahead and stay informed.

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Be sure to follow these guidelines to find a reliable contractor you can trust. Like most things, the best way to find a good contractor starts with preparation, so make sure you know what you want before reaching out to any potential contractors. How much square footage do you need? Which light fixtures do you want? Putting your answers on paper before talking to a contractor will help you communicate your ideas and wants later on.

Once you know what you want, start reaching out to different architects and planners to have a detailed plan drawn up. You’ll want to do this before you start your search for the best contractors in your neighborhood. Since various contractors will use this plan to give you an estimate, make sure your plan is as detailed as possible and ensure your specifications are also in the drawing to avoid miscommunications down the line.

Plus, it could save you time and money since you’re more likely to have the job done right the first time. There are many different types of contractors, ranging from plumbers to roofers, and hiring the right contractor depends on the work that needs to be done. If you’re starting a large project, you may need a handful of different types of contractors.

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Here are some of the other most frequently hired contractors: Electrician Roofer Plumber Drywaller Tiler Painter Landscaper Cabinet Maker Carpenter Heating and Ductwork Contractor Mason For much smaller projects that still need a couple different trades, such as changing out the tiles and cabinet in your bathroom, go with a handyman.

If you don’t, you could end up with way more of a project than you can afford. One of the best ways to find a good contractor in your area is through word of mouth referrals. Did your coworker remodel their kitchen recently? Love your friend’s new bathroom? If so, ask them who they hired and how their experience was.

Their site helps you find a contractor by searching via zip code, specialty, and company name. You can also seek referrals from local suppliers since many of them regularly work with some of the top contractors in the area. No doubt you want to know how to find not only the best contractor, but also a contractor you can trust.

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No matter what, you’ll want to be sure that the contractor you choose is at least one of the following: – As we mentioned briefly, licensing is the most secure way to ensure your contractor is equipped to tackle your project. To become licensed, contractors must complete hours of apprenticeships, a written test, and ongoing education programs.

Ask if they have liability and worker’s compensation coverage, and request their Certificate of Insurance. Then call the insurance company to ensure their policy is in good standing. With each of these, you’ll want to see the contractors’ certifications or any paperwork proving that they’re valid and up to date.