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Before you hire

A homeowner’s safety guide.

We check every contractor’s license and insurance before they can respond to you, but a little of your own diligence goes a long way too. Here’s what we recommend, at every stage.

General information, not legal advice. This reflects current California law (the Contractors State License Board’s rules and the Business and Professions Code) as of publication, but rules can change and every project is different. Verify anything important at cslb.ca.gov, and talk to a lawyer or your local consumer protection office if you’re unsure about a specific contract.

Before you choose someone

  1. Check the license yourself too. We check every contractor’s CA license against the state record before they can respond to you, but you can look them up yourself in seconds at cslb.ca.gov (“Check a License”) or by calling (800) 321-2752. It shows their classification, status, bond, and any complaint history.
  2. Understand what “verified” means here. “License verified” and “Insurance verified” mean we checked the document or state record on the date shown. They don’t mean we supervise, inspect, or guarantee the work — Domestra is a marketplace, not the contractor.
  3. Get more than one range before you decide. That’s the whole idea: compare a few contractors’ ranges, what’s included, and what could change the price, before anyone sets foot in your home.
  4. Ask about insurance, not just licensing. A licensed contractor should carry general liability insurance, and workers’ compensation if they have employees. Workers’ comp matters to you directly: without it, an injury on your property during the job can become your liability, not just theirs. Ask to see a current certificate.

Before work starts

  1. Get a written contract before work starts. California law requires a written contract for any home improvement job of $500 or more. Don’t rely on a verbal agreement or a text thread, however detailed.
  2. Make sure it includes the basics. The contractor’s name, license number, and address; a description of the work; the total price and payment schedule; start and estimated completion dates; and the materials being used.
  3. Know the deposit limit. In California, a contractor can ask for a deposit of at most $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less (Business and Professions Code §7159.5). A much larger upfront deposit is a serious red flag.
  4. Know your right to cancel. If you sign a contract at your home (not at the contractor’s office), you generally have 3 business days to cancel for any reason, no penalty — 5 business days if you’re 65 or older. The contract should include a written notice of this right; if it doesn’t, that’s worth asking about.
  5. Confirm permits will be pulled. Most structural, electrical, and plumbing work needs a permit from your city or county. A contractor who suggests skipping it to save time or money is shifting the risk onto you — unpermitted work can cause real problems later, at resale or when filing an insurance claim.

While the work is happening

  1. Get changes in writing. If the scope or price changes once work starts, get the new terms in writing before agreeing, the same way as the original contract.
  2. Avoid paying in cash. A check, card, or bank transfer leaves a record. Never pay the full price upfront, and tie each payment to work actually completed.
  3. Trust your instincts. Pressure to decide immediately, a price that seems too good to be true, or reluctance to put anything in writing are all reasons to slow down or walk away.
  4. Tell us if something feels wrong. Every project and contractor profile has a “Report a problem” link. We look at every report.

Before you pay in full

  1. Hold back a final payment. Keep a meaningful final payment — commonly around 10% — until the work is finished, passes any required inspection, and you’ve walked through it yourself.
  2. Get a lien release with that final payment. Even after you’ve paid the contractor in full, an unpaid subcontractor or supplier can file a mechanics lien against your home. Before the final payment, ask for an unconditional lien release — one per subcontractor or supplier on a larger job.
  3. Keep everything. The contract, any change orders, receipts, and the lien release. If a dispute ever comes up later, this is what you’ll need.

The California Contractors State License Board (cslb.ca.gov) has more detail on all of this, including how to file a complaint about a licensed contractor.