Tips for Finding the Right Licensed General Contractor

Whether you’re planning a complete home remodel or a small bathroom renovation, it’s important to work with the right team! Shoddy work, inexperienced subcontractors, and low-quality materials can spell disaster for a home improvement project. As a result, finding the right licensed general contractor is often the most difficult task for homeowners – especially when they’re unfamiliar with the construction process.

In this article, we’re going to share practical tips that you can use to find the right licensed general contractor for your needs. Let’s get started!

Ask for Referrals

There’s simply no substitute for positive word-of-mouth! If you know neighbors, friends, or family who have recently completed renovations, reach out to them. Ask about their experience with their contractors and find out whether they would recommend working with their provider. You might also consider reaching out to your real estate agent. Individuals in the real estate industry often work closely with contractors, which means they can be a helpful resource.

What are the city guidelines for construction?

Perhaps the best indicator that a contractor is legitimate is whether or not they have a valid license with the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). The licensing board is managed by the state of California and it is the primary regulatory authority for the construction industry. 

If you’re interested in working with a specific contractor, request their license number and search for it using the ‘Check License’ tool on the CSLB website. This will tell you when the license was issued, when it expires, and whether or not the company is bonded. Additionally, if the company was named in any recent construction related civil judgments, that information will appear as well. All reputable companies should be willing to provide this information. Our own licensing information is available there.

The bigger the dream,
The More Important The Team!

With Regal Construction & Remodeling, it only takes a few minutes to start building your dream home! Give us a call today!

Know the Common Signs of a Scam

Although most contractors are honest and hardworking, some unscrupulous individuals have been known to scam homeowners. These scammers often claim they need to rent equipment and order materials before they can start the work – insisting on a substantial portion of their project price upfront. Be wary of anyone asking for advance payments and never prepay more than $1,000 or 10% of the job total.

Read the Reviews & Complaints

Most construction companies can be found on websites such as Houzz, Yelp, and Angie’s List. These review sites are a valuable resource for homeowners because they offer insight into the workflow of each company. We also recommend researching potential general contractors through the Better Business Bureau. The non-profit organization allows consumers to file complaints against businesses who do not provide high-quality services.

Verify Insurance Coverage

After you’ve read all of the reviews and verified their license number with the CSLB, it’s time to ask your contractor for one final piece of information. Request a copy of the company’s insurance policy and review it carefully. You’ll want to confirm that they are covered in the event of accidents, severe weather, or vandalism. Additionally, check to be sure their coverage will not expire at any point during the construction process.

The bigger the dream,
The More Important The Team!

With Regal Construction & Remodeling, it only takes a few minutes to start building your dream home! Give us a call today!

Working with Regal Construction

Since 2008, our licensed general contractors have been helping homeowners with their Los Angeles remodeling projects. When you contact us for an estimate, we’ll start by discussing your goals. We love to help homeowners find thoughtful and creative solutions to everyday functional problems.

Next, we will schedule a consultation. During your in-home consultation, we’ll assess the available space. At this stage, we’re going to help you ensure the functionality of your planned remodel. For example, we may want to pull down the walls of an adjacent room in order to create more open space and clear sightlines

After we’ve planned your renovation, we’ll move on to drafting an estimate. Our estimate gives you an expected cost breakdown for materials and labor. Our company was built on a foundation of trust and respect for our customers, so we don’t use any high-pressure sales tactics. We strive for excellence in every project, and customer satisfaction is our top priority. We can’t wait to help you take the first step towards home improvement!

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