Before you hire

Questions to ask a contractor before you hire.

A good contractor expects these questions and answers them plainly. Hesitation, vagueness, or pressure to skip ahead on any of these is worth paying attention to.

1. Can I see your license number, and can I verify it myself? Any licensed California contractor should give this without hesitation. You can check it yourself in seconds at cslb.ca.gov — classification, status, bond, and any complaint history.
2. Can you send me a certificate of insurance? A licensed contractor should carry general liability insurance, and workers’ compensation if they have employees. Without workers’ comp, an injury on your property during the job can become your liability, not just theirs.
3. What exactly is included in this price, and what isn’t? Appliances, fixtures, permits, haul-away — ask what’s in the number and what’s extra. This is the single biggest source of disputes once a project is underway.
4. What could make this price change? Hidden plumbing or electrical, structural surprises once walls open up, or a change in scope. A contractor who can’t name any likely cost drivers either hasn’t thought it through or isn’t being upfront.
5. Who will actually be doing the work? Their own crew, or subcontractors? If subcontractors, are they licensed and insured too? You want to know who’s actually going to be in your home.
6. Will you be pulling permits, and for what? Most structural, electrical, and plumbing work needs a permit. A contractor who suggests skipping it to save time or money is shifting real risk onto you — unpermitted work causes problems later, at resale or with insurance.
7. What’s the payment schedule? California law caps a contractor’s deposit at $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less. Payments after that should be tied to completed work, not a flat calendar.
8. Can I see examples of similar work, and can I talk to a recent customer? Photos are easy to find online. A recent customer willing to talk to you is a much better signal — ask for one from a project completed in the last six months, not a five-year-old favorite.
9. What’s the realistic timeline, including likely delays? Every project estimate should include some buffer. A contractor who promises zero delays on a multi-week project is either inexperienced or not being straight with you.

For the fuller picture — what to check before, during, and after the job — see our homeowner safety guide.