Locate a Professional Licensed Door or Gate Dealer

Use our custom Professional Licensed Door or Gate Dealer Locator to find someone near you!

10 Tips before you hire a Garage Door or Gate Installing Company

  1. Hire only licensed contractors.
  2. Check a contractor’s license number online at www.cslb.ca.gov or by calling (800) 321-CSLB (2752).
  3. Get at least three bids.
  4. Get three references from each bidder and review past work in person.
  5. Make sure all project expectations are in writing and only sign the contract if you completely understand the terms.
  6. Confirm that the contractor has workers’ compensation insurance for employees.
  7. Never pay more than 10% down of $1,000, whichever is less. Don’t pay in cash.
  8. Don’t let payments get ahead of the work.
  9. Keep a job file of all papers relating to your project, including all payments.
  10. Don’t make the final payment until you’re satisfied with the job.

For more information on hiring a licensed contractor, click here.

Checklist for Prescreening Contractors

  • Hire only Licensed Contractors
  • Check a contractor’s license number online at www.cslb.ca.gov or by calling (800) 321-CSLB (2752).
  • Get three references and review past work
  • Research Contractors

Print this page as a reference: http://www.cslb.ca.gov/Resources/GuidesAndPamphlets/ChecklistForPrescreeningContractors.pdf

Insist on a license or you may forfeit your legal and insurance protections.

It is illegal for an unlicensed person to perform contracting work on any project valued at $500 or more in labor and materials. Besides being illegal, unlicensed contractors lack accountability and have a high rate of involvement in construction scams. They also are unfair competition for licensed contractors who operate with bonds, insurance and other responsible business practices.

When a contractor is licensed you have legal and insurance protections, receive the correct permits, and line up the appropriate inspections necessary to make sure jobs meet you local building code requirements. Additionally, licensed contractors have the required training, experience, and must pass criminal background checks to obtain their license.

Protect yourself from scams, shaddy workmanship, and companies that disappear overnight. Verify the contractor’s license with the California State Licensing Board either by phone at 1-800-321-2752 or visit online at www.cslb.ca.gov

What Seniors Should Know Before Hiring a Contractor

Read the Contractor’s State License Board’s Booklet “What Seniors Should Know Before Hiring a Contractor“. You can either download the publication form the CSLB website or have it mailed to you by calling (800) 321-2752.
Download here: http://www.cslb.ca.gov/Resources/GuidesAndPamphlets/WhatSeniorsShouldKnow.pdf

A Consumer Guide to Home Improvement Contracts – Terms of Agreement

Visit the Terms of Agreement – A Consumer Guide to Home Improvement Contracts, which covers the following: What is a contract?, Anatomy of a contract, Description of work, Complaints and Warranties, Money, Mechanics Liens, Canceling, Exceptions, Checklist.

A Homeowner’s Guide to Preventing Mechanic’s Liens

What is a Mechanic’s Lien?
A mechanic’s lien is a “hold” or claim against your property that, if unpaid, allows a foreclosure action, forcing the sale of your home to satisfy any project debts. The lien is submitted to the County Recorder’s Office by the unpaid contractor, subcontractor, supplier or worker.

For more details visit:
http://www.cslb.ca.gov/Resources/GuidesAndPamphlets/HomeownersGuideToPreventingMechanicsLiens.pdf

Consumer Guide to Filing a Small Claims Court Construction Claim

To file a Small Claims Court Construction Claim, view details at:
http://www.cslb.ca.gov/Resources/GuidesAndPamphlets/GuideToSmallClaims.pdf

Traveling Contractor Scams Tip Sheet

There are groups of transient criminals that pose as door-to-door home repair contractors who rip off homeowners throughout California with painting, roofing, and paving scams. Not every door-to-door solicitor or family-owned business operates in this way; however, the Contractors State License Board urges consumers to be wary and to watch for any of these “red flags.”

For more details visit:
http://www.cslb.ca.gov/Resources/GuidesAndPamphlets/TravelerTips.pdf

Lead-Safe Renovation, Repairs, and Painting

EPA Requirements:

Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children.

To protect against this risk, on April 22, 2008, EPA issued a rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices and other actions aimed at preventing lead poisoning. Under the rule, beginning April 22, 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.

EPA requires that firms performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and schools be certified by EPA and that they use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers to follow lead-safe work practices.

  • Contractors must use lead-safe work practices and follow these three simple procedures:
  • Contain the work area.
  • Minimize dust.
  • Clean up thoroughly.
  • Contractors who perform renovation, repairs, and painting jobs should also:
  • Provide a copy of their EPA or state lead training certificate to you.
  • Tell you what lead-safe methods they will use to perform the job.
  • Ask you to share the results of any previously conducted lead tests.
  • Provide you with references from at least three recent jobs involving homes built before 1978.
  • Keep records to demonstrate that their workers have been trained in lead-safe work practices.
  • Keep records to demonstrate that they follow lead-safe work practices on the job.