What Questions Should You Ask a Contractor Before Hiring Them in San Jose 2025?

Quick Answer: The most important questions to ask a contractor before hiring in San Jose: (1) What is your CSLB license number? (verify it at cslb.ca.gov); (2) Are you carrying general liability and workers’ compensation insurance? (ask for certificates); (3) Will you pull all required permits? (3) What is your payment schedule? (California law caps deposits at 10% or $1,000, whichever is less); (4) Who specifically will be doing the work — your employees or subcontractors? (5) Do you have references from projects similar to mine in the last 12 months? These five questions alone will eliminate 80% of problem contractors before you sign anything.

15 Essential Questions to Ask a San Jose Contractor

1. “What is your CSLB license number, and what class is it?” Verify at cslb.ca.gov. The license must be active, must show current workers’ comp coverage, and must be in the right classification (Class B – General Building for most remodels; C-class for specialty work)
2. “Can you provide certificates of general liability and workers’ compensation insurance?” Both policies must be current. Ask to be named as an additional insured on the liability policy. If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor has no workers’ comp, you may be liable
3. “Will you obtain all required permits, and are they included in your bid?” Licensed contractors must pull permits in their name. An unlicensed person cannot pull a permit. Permits protect you — they require inspections that verify the work is done correctly
4. “What is the payment schedule?” California law caps the initial deposit at 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less (for licensed contractors). Progress payments should be tied to specific milestones (e.g., framing complete, rough plumbing complete). Never pay ahead of work completed
5. “Who will physically be doing the work — your direct employees or subcontractors?” Both are common, but you want to know which subs will be on the project, whether they’re licensed (licensed GC is responsible for licensed subs), and whether the GC will be on-site daily
6. “How do you handle change orders?” Every change from the original scope should be in writing before work proceeds, with an agreed price. Ask to see the contractor’s standard change order form
7. “What is your projected start date and completion date, and what happens if you fall behind?” Get dates in writing. Ask what the liquidated damages clause is if the project runs significantly over schedule
8. “Can I call or visit two or three references from similar projects in the past year?” Actually call them. Ask about schedule adherence, communication quality, and whether they would hire this contractor again
9. “Do you have any active complaints filed against your CSLB license?” Check this yourself at cslb.ca.gov — search the license number and review the history/complaints section
10. “What warranty do you provide on your work?” California law requires a 1-year warranty on contractor work (Contractors License Law §7100) and a 10-year warranty on structural defects (SB 800)
11. “How do you protect my home during construction — dust, water, and security?” Good contractors use dust barriers, floor protection, and daily cleanup. Ask who is responsible for locking and securing the site each night
12. “Are you familiar with San Jose building permit requirements for this type of project?” An experienced local contractor knows the specifics of San Jose’s permit process, including typical timelines and common code requirements
13. “Will the price in your bid change? What conditions would trigger a price increase?” Fixed-price bids are preferable. Ask specifically what unknowns (asbestos discovery, hidden water damage, etc.) could trigger changes and how they would be handled
14. “Who is the single point of contact I communicate with throughout the project?” You should have one person to call for updates and issues — not be bounced between a salesperson, project manager, and foreman
15. “What does your bid exclude?” Ask directly. Common exclusions: permit fees, debris haul-away, painting after tile work, appliances, fixtures above a stated allowance, landscaping repair after construction

Quartz Construction welcomes all of these questions and answers them clearly before any contract is signed. CSLB #1003436 | BBB A+ | 4.9 Stars. Get a free estimate | Call (650) 749-7436.