How to Choose a General Contractor in California: The CSLB Checklist

Seven checks that separate licensed professionals from expensive regrets — straight from the Contractors State License Board playbook.

California's Contractors State License Board fields thousands of complaints a year, and most trace back to checks the homeowner never ran. Here is the seven-point checklist we wish every client ran on us — because we pass it.

1. Verify the License at cslb.ca.gov

Every legitimate contractor has an active CSLB number — ours is #1007864. Check status, classifications, bond, and workers' comp in two minutes online. If the number on the truck does not match the name on the contract, walk away.

2. Demand Insurance Certificates

General liability and workers' compensation certificates should name you as certificate holder. An uninsured crew injury on your property can become your lawsuit.

3. Get a Line-Item Contract

California law caps deposits at $1,000 or 10% — whichever is less. A professional contract itemizes scope, schedule, payment milestones, and change-order process. Vague lump sums protect the contractor, not you.

4-7. References, Permits, Self-Performance, and Response Time

Call two recent clients. Confirm who pulls permits (it should be the contractor). Ask which trades are in-house — subcontractor chains add 15-25% and diffuse accountability. And note how fast they return your first call; it only gets slower after they are paid.

JMG Construction Services welcomes every check on this list. Verify License #1007864, then request a consultation and judge our response time yourself.