Hiring a contractor in California: a checklist

By Contractor Lookout · Updated November 3, 2026

Before you hire a California contractor, confirm the license is active and covers your type of work, verify the bond and workers’ comp, and get a written contract with a down payment of no more than $1,000 or 10% of the price. Then tie every later payment to work that’s actually done.

Print this list or keep it open while you collect bids.

Before you collect bids

• Decide whether you need a licensed contractor. If the total price is $1,000 or more, the work needs a permit, or the worker will bring a helper, you do. See the minor work exemption.
• Work out which license class fits the job. Electrical work needs a C-10, plumbing a C-36, roofing a C-39. A whole-house remodel or ADU usually points to a B General Building contractor. Our A vs B vs C guide explains the differences.
• Find licensed candidates. Browse our counties and cities index or use search.

Check each contractor’s license

• Get the license number and look it up on CSLB’s Instant License Check. Our data is CSLB’s weekly file, so confirm the live record.
• Primary status is Clear. Any suspension means the license isn’t valid for contracting. See what each status means.
• No warning in the secondary status. Look for notes such as pending case or citation or bond payment pending.
• The classification matches your job. A B contractor can’t take a prime contract for a single specialty trade other than framing or carpentry unless it holds that specialty license or subcontracts to a licensed specialty contractor (BPC 7057).
• The expiration date is after your project ends, or the contractor has a plan to renew.
• Match the pocket license and photo ID to the record and to the name on the bid.

Bond and workers’ comp

• A $25,000 contractor’s bond is on file. Call the surety to confirm. See contractor bonds explained.
• Workers’ comp shows a policy or a valid exemption. Call the insurer to confirm a policy. If the record says exempt and a crew shows up, ask about it. C-8, C-20, C-22, C-39 and C-61/D-49 contractors must carry it even with no employees. See how to check workers’ comp.

The salesperson

• If someone other than the contractor sells you the job, check their HIS registration. A home improvement salesperson who sells, negotiates or signs contracts for a contractor must be registered with CSLB. You can search HIS names and registration numbers on Instant License Check. See HIS registration explained.

The contract

• Get it in writing. Home improvement contracts over $500 must be written (BPC 7159).
• The contract includes the down payment notice: “THE DOWNPAYMENT MAY NOT EXCEED $1,000 OR 10 PERCENT OF THE CONTRACT PRICE, WHICHEVER IS LESS.”
• The down payment is within the limit. It can’t be more than $1,000 or 10% of the price, whichever is less, unless the license shows a blanket performance and payment bond. See the down payment guide.
• The payment schedule is tied to stages of work. Under BPC 7159.5, payments can’t exceed the value of the work performed.
• The license number on the contract matches the license you checked.
• Your right to cancel is in the contract. You generally have 3 business days, 5 if you’re 65 or older, and 7 for disaster repairs (Civil Code 1689.6).

Permits

• Ask who pulls the permits. Permits come from your city or county. For a manufactured ADU, CSLB notes that HCD may issue them.
• Don’t let work start before a required permit is issued. Ask to see it.

During the job

• Pay only for completed work. Inspect each stage before the next payment.
• Keep records: the contract, change orders, receipts, photos and all messages.
• Recheck the license on a long job. A bond or workers’ comp policy can lapse partway through. If it does, see what to do if a license is suspended mid-job.

If something goes wrong

• Raise it with the contractor in writing first.
• File a complaint with CSLB if you can’t resolve it. Keep the time limits in mind. See how to file a complaint with CSLB.

Quick reference

For more detail on each check, read how to check a contractor license.

This is general information, not legal advice.

Sources

• CSLB Instant License Check: https://www.cslb.ca.gov/OnlineServices/CheckLicenseII/CheckLicense.aspx
• BPC 7159: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=7159
• BPC 7159.5: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=7159.5
• Civil Code 1689.6: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&sectionNum=1689.6
• BPC 7152: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=7152
• BPC 7057: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=7057
• BPC 7048: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=7048
• BPC 7071.6: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=7071.6
• BPC 7140: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=BPC&sectionNum=7140
• CSLB workers’ comp requirements: https://www.cslb.ca.gov/contractors/maintain_license/workers_compensation.aspx
• CSLB ADU Fast Facts: https://www.cslb.ca.gov/Resources/GuidesAndPublications/2025/FastFacts_ADU.pdf