Marin County has a contractor problem. Not a shortage — there are plenty of people willing to take your money. The problem is finding one who will do what they said, when they said it, for what they quoted.
After years of building in Marin, I've heard enough contractor horror stories from clients who came to us after bad experiences. Here's an honest guide to vetting contractors in this market.
Start With License Verification
Every contractor working in California must hold a valid CSLB license. Verify it at cslb.ca.gov before any conversation goes further. Check that the license:
- Is active (not suspended or expired)
- Covers the type of work you need (Class B for general contracting)
- Has no formal complaints or disciplinary actions
- Has workers' compensation insurance on file
A contractor who resists giving you their license number is a red flag. Ours is #1106798 — check it anytime.
Get Three Bids, But Don't Just Compare Numbers
Three bids is the right number. Fewer and you don't have enough data. More and you're wasting everyone's time.
When the bids come in, don't compare them as single numbers. Ask each bidder to break out:
- Labor by trade (framing, electrical, plumbing, tile, etc.)
- Materials (allowances vs. specified items)
- Permits and fees
- Their markup/overhead/profit percentage
- Exclusions (what's NOT included)
The gap between the highest and lowest bid on a complex Marin remodel can be $200,000. That gap almost always represents either scope differences or someone who is going to run short and come back for more.
Check References — But Ask the Right Questions
"Were you happy with the work?" is a useless reference question. Everyone says yes. Ask instead:
- Did the project come in at the original budget, or were there change orders? How were they handled?
- Was the job site clean and professional? Were subcontractors supervised?
- Were there any problems, and if so, how did the contractor handle them?
- Would you hire them again for a larger project?
The last question tells you everything.
The Contract Must Cover These Things
Any reputable contractor will present a detailed contract. If they hand you a one-page agreement, walk away. The contract should specify:
- Detailed scope of work (attached plans and specifications, not vague descriptions)
- Payment schedule tied to milestones, not calendar dates
- Change order process and markup rate
- Lien release requirements for all subcontractors
- Warranty terms (at minimum 1 year on workmanship)
- Dispute resolution process
Red Flags to Watch For
Large upfront payment requests. California law limits deposits to 10% or $1,000, whichever is less, for contractors licensed under $500K. Requiring 30–50% upfront is either illegal or a sign they're using your money to finance another job.
No physical office or address. Transient contractors have nothing to lose if a project goes sideways.
Too eager, too fast. A contractor who can start your project next week and hasn't asked many questions hasn't thought about your project yet.
Vague answers about subcontractors. Who is doing your electrical? Your tile? If the GC can't name them, they may be using whoever's available rather than a trusted team.
We're happy to answer any of these questions about our own company. That's the standard every contractor should be held to.