Sacramento Metro Contractor Hiring Checklist
Eight steps every Sacramento Metro homeowner should take before signing a contract. License verification routes through California CSLB.
Key points
- Verify active license number and expiration with the licensing authority before signing.
- Confirm general liability insurance ($1M+) and workers' comp — request a current COI naming you as additional insured.
- Ask for 3 references from jobs completed in the last 12 months in your area.
- Demand a written, itemized contract with milestones, scope of work, materials brand/model, change-order process, and warranty.
- Never pay more than 10% (or $1,000, whichever is less) as a deposit. Tie payments to verifiable progress.
- Pull permits in the homeowner's name only if you control the project — otherwise insist the contractor pulls them so liability is theirs.
- Get at least 3 line-item bids on the same scope before deciding. Lowest bid is rarely the best value.
- Read recent reviews on multiple platforms (Google, Yelp, BBB) — look for patterns in complaints, not isolated 1-stars.