Whether you're planning a remodel, an addition, or a restoration project, the contract you sign matters as much as the contractor you choose. Here are five questions worth asking before you sign anything.
1. Are You Licensed, and Can I Verify It?
In California, contractors performing work over $500 are required to hold a CSLB license. Ask for the license number and check it yourself on the California Contractors State License Board website — it takes two minutes and tells you about bond status, insurance, and any complaint history.
2. What Does the Payment Schedule Look Like?
California law caps down payments at 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less, for most residential projects. Payments after that should track completed milestones, not arbitrary calendar dates.
3. Who Pulls the Permits?
Your contractor should pull required permits, not ask you to do it, and should be upfront about which parts of the project need them.
4. What Happens If We Find Something Unexpected?
Older homes often reveal surprises once walls open up — outdated wiring, water damage, or structural issues. Ask how change orders are handled and documented before they happen, not after.
5. Can I See Recent, Similar Projects?
A contractor with real experience in your specific project type — kitchen remodels, restoration, tenant improvements — should be able to show recent, comparable work, not just a general portfolio.
Want to see how we answer these questions? Request a free consultation and ask us directly.