Hiring Contractors: Verify Before You Hire
Before hiring anyone for renovation, repair, or home improvement work, verify their license directly with the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) - it’s free and takes under a minute.
The CSLB License Check tool shows whether a contractor’s license is active, its classification (general, electrical, plumbing, roofing, etc.), bond and insurance status, and any disciplinary actions or complaints on file. California law requires a license for most home improvement work over $500 in combined labor and materials - if a contractor can’t provide a valid license number, that’s a red flag on its own.
CSLB also offers a zip-code search to find licensed contractors by trade in a given area.
We don’t publish a specific list of recommended contractors here - verify anyone independently before hiring, regardless of how they were referred to you.
Keep exploring
More Moving Guides
- Moving with Pets
Dog parks, open shoreline, and what to check before bringing pets to a new home in Alameda.
- Utilities & New Resident Checklist
Alameda runs its own public electric utility instead of PG&E, plus the practical setup tasks for anyone moving in.
- Community Life: Annual Events & Markets
The recurring events that give Alameda its small-town feel despite being minutes from Oakland and San Francisco - the July 4th parade, a monthly antiques faire, and more.
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