By LE Construction · Published October 6, 2026
Hiring a contractor is a big decision, and a few direct questions tell you a lot. These are the ones we would ask if we were in your shoes, with notes on what a good answer sounds like.
License and insurance
What is your license number, and which classifications do you hold? Check it on the CSLB website. A remodel involving several trades calls for a B General Building license. (How to check a license)
Do you carry workers’ compensation? If they have employees, the answer should be yes, and the CSLB record should confirm it.
Permits
Will you pull the permit, and under whose license? The contractor should pull it under their own license. Be cautious if they suggest you pull it as an owner-builder or skip it.
Which office issues permits for my address? In Ventura County, it depends on the parcel. A contractor who works locally should know or check. (Permit guide)
Scope and price
What exactly is included, and what is not? Ask for a line-item estimate. Look for demolition, haul-off, permits, repairs, allowances and finish work.
What did you see at the visit that could affect the price? A good contractor checks the electrical panel, plumbing, subfloor and attic or crawlspace before pricing, and tells you what they found.
How do you handle hidden conditions? Listen for: “We stop, show you, and price it in writing before we continue.”
Schedule
When can you start, and how long will it take? Ask what the schedule depends on: permits, materials, inspections.
Which rooms will be out of use, and for how long? This tells you whether you need a temporary kitchen or bathroom plan.
Payments
What is the payment schedule? In California, the down payment on a home improvement contract cannot exceed $1,000 or 10% of the price, whichever is less, and later payments should match completed work.
Communication
Who will I talk to during the project? You want a name and a phone number, ideally the person running the job.
How often will you update me? Listen for specifics.
After the work
What happens if something is not right after you finish? Our policy, for example, is that any issue reported within 30 days of completion is corrected at no charge.
Can I see reviews or talk to past clients? Reviews on Google and a BBB profile give an independent view.
Questions specific to Ventura County
- Is my house in a fire hazard zone, and does that affect the work?
- Is my property in the Coastal Zone?
- If my house is on a raised foundation, should we look at a seismic retrofit while we are working?
Ask us any of these at your free estimate.
Frequently asked questions
How many contractors should I interview for a remodel?
Two or three is usually enough to compare scope, price and how each one communicates. More than that tends to blur the details. Make sure each is pricing the same written scope.
Is the lowest bid usually the best choice?
Not necessarily. The lowest bid often leaves out permits, demolition, repairs to hidden damage or realistic allowances, which come back later as change orders. Compare what is included line by line.
Should a contractor visit my house before giving a price?
For anything beyond the smallest repair, yes. A price given without seeing the panel, the plumbing, the subfloor and the access is a guess. A site visit lets the contractor price the house you actually have.
What should I ask about hidden damage?
Ask how they handle conditions found after walls are opened: whether they stop and show you, and whether the price is put in writing before the extra work. A clear answer now prevents arguments later.