Home improvement: Tips for hiring a contractor

Scheduling a major home improvement project is exciting...but, key to the project's success is hiring a trustworthy contractor. The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) warns homeowners to be on the lookout for scams where contractors promise reduced prices in exchange for fast cash.

Check out the CSLB’s recommendations:

• Hire only licensed contractors. You can check a contractor’s license number at (800) 321-2752 or http://www.cslb.ca.gov/.
• Get three references and review past work.
• Get at least three bids.
• Get a written contract and don’t sign anything until you completely understand the terms.
• Put no more than 10% down or $1000 (whichever is less) as a down payment.
• Don’t let payments get ahead of work, and keep a records of payments.
• Don’t pay cash and refuse to pay up front for materials.

The Contractors State License Board operates under the umbrella of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. The Contractors State License Board licenses and regulates California’s 278,000 contractors, and investigates 25,000 complaints against contractors annually.