Determining If a Contractor Is Qualified

Many homeowners choose a contractor based on price alone, but hiring a contractor and getting an estimate are two separate tasks.

Here are some tips for choosing and working with a contractor:

* Investigate the contractor’s reputation and credentials first.

Find out the status of a contractor’s license by contacting the Contractors State License Board at (800) 321-2752 or https://www.cslb.ca.gov. All businesses or individuals who construct or alter a building in California must be licensed if the project costs $500 or more. Licensed contractors must pass a comprehensive exam and have at least four years of experience. You can also check for complaints against a contractor by contacting the Better Business Bureau.

* Ask for client references--and contact them.

“People think that if a contractor is willing to give references, that’s good enough,” said Bill Simone, contractor, author and chairman of the Southern California chapter of the National Assn. of Home Builders Remodelors Council, a trade organization.

Talking with a former client and visiting a finished job is the best way to gain information about a contractor’s workmanship and professionalism.

* Check for professional affiliations.

The American Homeowners Foundation, a nonprofit consumer group, recommended hiring a contractor who belongs to a trade organization such as the National Assn. of the Remodeling Industry or the Remodelors Council.

* Find out if the contractor has both workers’ compensation and general liability insurance.

The board requires licensed contractors to carry workers’ compensation insurance (unless they have no employees), but not general liability. If a contractor doesn’t have liability insurance, you could be held financially responsible if anything is damaged or anyone is injured on your property.