5 Ways to Vet a Contractor

PETALUMA — Due to the widespread damage caused by both wildfires and flooding, there’s currently a shortage of general contractors in Sonoma County and the surrounding areas. To supplement this shortage, a lot of contractors are coming in from central and southern California, and even from out of state. Unfortunately, in this type of situation, it’s often difficult for homeowners to find a contractor that’s qualified, honest and reliable. That’s why it’s crucial to be diligent about vetting any contractor you’re thinking of hiring. Here are five smart steps:

1. Verify that the contractor has current licensing and insurance on file with the California State License Board (CSLB). You should also see if any complaints have been lodged by former clients. You can do this by visiting the CSLB’s website: www.cslb.ca.gov.

2. Request up-to-date liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance certificates, as well as an additional insured endorsement.

3. Request a list of references that includes both current and past projects. This will allow you to call the contractor’s current and former clients and ask them about their experiences.

4. Expect the contractor to provide a detailed bid that includes an itemized breakdown of construction costs and a written scope of work.

5. Insist on a signed contract and give a deposit of no more than 10 percent of the project’s total cost (as per the legal limit in the state of California).