The moment you sign a contract, your negotiating leverage largely disappears. Before you reach that point, these ten questions give you everything you need to evaluate the contractor, protect yourself legally, and make sure the project starts on solid footing.
1. Can I see your CSLB license number?
A licensed California contractor should have this number memorized. Write it down, then verify it yourself at cslb.ca.gov. Confirm that the license is "Active," that the classification covers your project type, and that the bond and workers' comp insurance are current. This takes less than two minutes and is the single most important check you can do.
2. Are you carrying general liability insurance?
General liability insurance protects you if the contractor damages your property during the project. Ask for a certificate of insurance and call the insurer directly to confirm the policy is active. A minimum of $1 million per occurrence is reasonable for most residential projects.
3. What is the project timeline?
Push for specific dates: when does work start, when will it be substantially complete, and what are the milestones? Ask what factors could cause delays and how the contractor handles schedule changes. Vague answers ("a few weeks," "it depends") are a warning sign that the contractor hasn't thoroughly planned the job.
4. What is the payment schedule?
California law caps contractor down payments at 10% of the project price or $1,000 — whichever is less. Beyond the down payment, payments should be tied to completed milestones, not arbitrary dates. Never pay ahead of the work that has actually been done. A contractor who insists on large upfront payments is asking you to carry their business risk.
5. Will you pull the required permits?
It is the contractor's responsibility to pull permits for work that requires them. Ask which permits are needed for your specific project and confirm the contractor will handle the applications. Unpermitted work creates real problems: it may void your homeowner's insurance for related claims, and it typically must be disclosed — and sometimes corrected — when you sell.
6. Will you use subcontractors?
Using licensed subcontractors for specialty trades is standard practice. What's not acceptable is using unlicensed subs or subs who aren't covered by insurance. Ask for the names of any subcontractors who will work on your project and whether they're covered under the general contractor's insurance policy.
7. What warranty do you offer?
California law provides statutory warranties: 10 years for structural defects, 4 years for most other latent defects, and 1 year for workmanship. Quality contractors often offer more. Get any warranty commitment in writing and confirm it covers both materials and labor.
8. Who handles cleanup and debris removal?
Dumpsters, construction debris, and leftover materials are a common source of disputes. Clarify in writing who is responsible for daily cleanup, where materials will be stored on your property during the project, and who pays for and schedules debris removal at the end.
9. Can you provide 2–3 references from similar projects?
Recent references from comparable projects are among the best predictors of your experience. Call them. Ask whether the project came in on time and on budget, whether the contractor communicated well, and whether they would hire this contractor again without hesitation.
10. Will all agreements be in writing?
Every agreement, including any changes to the original scope (change orders), must be documented in writing before work proceeds. Verbal agreements are nearly impossible to enforce. A contractor who resists putting things in writing is telling you something important about how disputes will be handled later.