How Do I Hire a Local Contractor? The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Hiring a Contractor You Can Trust in Beverly Hills and LA

You've decided you need a general contractor. Now comes the hard part: finding the right one and making sure they're legitimate.

This isn't a casual decision. You're letting someone access your home, manage your money, and make decisions that affect your family for years. Hiring the wrong contractor can cost you tens of thousands in rework, legal issues, and stress.

Let's walk through exactly how to do this right.

Step 1: Know What to Look For (Before You Start Looking)

Before you call anyone, understand what makes a contractor legitimate:

Licensed: A California general contractor must hold a current license from the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). This isn't optional. An unlicensed contractor is operating illegally, and you're liable if something goes wrong.

Insured: Workers' compensation insurance and general liability insurance. These are mandatory, not optional perks.

Established: Not necessarily 30 years old, but a track record. They should have references, reviews, and a real office (not just a cell phone number).

Local: A contractor who operates in Beverly Hills or LA County understands our building codes, permitting process, and market. They have relationships with inspectors and subcontractors.

Step 2: Research and Gather Prospects

This is where most people waste time with the wrong sources. Skip Craigslist. Skip that guy who knocked on your door.

Start here:

• Google/Yelp Reviews: Search "kitchen remodeling Beverly Hills" or "general contractor Los Angeles." Look for contractors with 30+ reviews, mostly 4.5+ stars. Read recent reviews (within the last 6 months), not decade-old ones. Yelp verification helps ensure genuine reviews.

• Better Business Bureau (BBB): Check for accredited status and complaint history at bbb.org. An A+ rating with zero complaints is better than 100+ five-star reviews with unresolved issues.

• Local Referrals: Ask friends, family, and neighbors. "Who did your kitchen remodel?" is worth 50 online reviews.

• CSLB Website: Go directly to the California Contractors State License Board website (cslb.ca.gov) and search the contractor's name or license number. You can see:

  • License status (active or inactive)

  • License classification

  • Disciplinary history

  • Any complaints

Seriously—do this before calling anyone.

• HomeAdvisor or Angi: Vetted contractor directories like HomeAdvisor and Angi (formerly Angie's List). Not perfect, but they've done baseline screening.

Aim for 3-5 legitimate prospects to call. More than that, and you're drowning. Fewer, and you're not comparing apples to apples.

Step 3: Make the Call (Or Send an Email)

When you contact contractors, you're assessing two things: their responsiveness and how clearly they communicate.

Good sign: They return your call within 24 hours, ask specific questions about your project, and explain their process.

Red flag: They're vague, pushy, or take a week to respond. If they're hard to reach before the contract, they'll be harder during the project.

What to tell them: Be specific. "I need a kitchen remodel that includes new cabinets, countertops, appliances, and flooring. My budget is $80,000 to $100,000. I need work to start in March." The more detail upfront, the better estimates you'll get.

Step 4: Verify Credentials (Don't Skip This)

This is boring, but it matters more than anything else.

License verification:

• Go to cslb.ca.gov

• Search by license number or name

• Confirm it's active (not expired or suspended)

• Note the classification (General Building Contractor, for example)

Insurance verification:

• Ask the contractor to provide proof of current liability insurance and workers' compensation

• Call the insurance company to verify coverage is active

• Check the policy limits (at least $1 million in liability)

Bonding:

• Some contractors carry a contractor's license bond

• Ask for proof

This takes 30 minutes total. It eliminates 90% of problems.

Step 5: Request Written Estimates

"Verbal estimates" don't exist. A professional contractor gives you a detailed, written estimate that includes:

Scope of Work: Exactly what's being done. Not "kitchen remodel," but "Remove existing cabinets, countertops, appliances, and flooring. Install new cabinetry from [brand], quartz counters, stainless steel appliances, and tile flooring."

Materials List: Specific brands, colors, and quality. "Cabinets: XYZ brand, shaker style, maple, natural finish" (not just "cabinets $15,000").

Labor Estimate: How many hours per phase and the hourly rate, or a flat price for the full scope.

Timeline: Start date, expected completion date, and major phases.

Payment Schedule: How much upfront, and when subsequent payments are due. A legitimate contractor doesn't ask for 50% upfront. Typical: 10-20% upon signing, 30-40% at major milestones, balance upon completion.

Permits and Inspections: Who's responsible for pulling permits and attending inspections.

Warranty: What's covered and for how long (typically 1-2 years on workmanship).

If an estimate is missing any of these, ask. A professional will have it all.

Red flags:

• Estimate is one page with vague line items

• Insistence on cash payment

• Request for 50%+ upfront

• No warranty mentioned

Step 6: Compare (Apples to Apples)

You now have 3-5 detailed estimates. Compare them carefully.

Don't just look at the total price. A $70,000 estimate and an $85,000 estimate might be for completely different scopes. Compare line by line.

• Is the cabinetry the same brand and quality?

• Are appliances the same?

• Is the flooring material identical?

• Do timelines match?

• Payment schedules similar?

If one estimate is significantly lower, ask why. Sometimes it's because they found a cost-saving solution. More often, it's because something is missing from the scope.

Example conversation: "Your estimate is $15,000 less than the other three. What's different?" A vague answer ("We're just more efficient") is suspicious. A specific answer ("We source cabinets directly from the distributor, which saves 15% over retail") is credible.

Step 7: Check References

Ask each contractor for 3-5 recent references (customers from the last 2 years). Then actually call them.

What to ask:

• "Did the project stay on timeline?"

• "Did costs stay within the estimate, or were there overruns?"

• "How responsive was the contractor when issues came up?"

• "Would you hire them again?"

• "Any problems after the project was finished?"

Listen for hesitation. A "Yes, they're great" is less useful than "Well, they were late, but they fixed everything when we complained." Honest feedback is more believable than glowing praise.

Step 8: The Interview (It's Not Just About Price)

Before you decide, interview your top 1-2 contractors. This is your chance to assess communication and problem-solving.

Ask these questions:

1. "Walk me through your typical project timeline. What happens each week?"

2. "What's your biggest challenge on kitchen remodels, and how do you handle it?"

3. "If we discover structural damage behind the walls, how does that affect the timeline and budget?"

4. "How do you handle change orders?"

5. "What's your process if a subcontractor isn't performing?"

6. "Can you reference a recent project similar to ours?"

What you're listening for: Do they think strategically? Do they anticipate problems? Do they communicate clearly? Or are they vague, defensive, or pushing to close the deal fast?

Step 9: Make Your Decision (And Trust It)

After all this, you should feel confident. You've verified licenses, checked references, reviewed estimates, and assessed communication.

Pick the contractor who:

• Is properly licensed and insured

• Communicates clearly and responsibly

• Has good references

• Provided a detailed, transparent estimate

• Is reasonably priced (not lowest, not highest)

Not the cheapest. Not the most expensive. The one who feels professional and trustworthy.

Step 10: Get It in Writing

Before work starts, sign a detailed contract that includes everything from the estimate, plus:

• Start and end dates

• How change orders are handled (in writing, with approval)

• Warranty terms

• How disputes get resolved (mediation before litigation)

• Cleanup and site management expectations

If the contractor hesitates on any of this, walk away. Legitimate contractors have detailed contracts.

Common Mistakes Homeowners Make

Hiring based only on price: The cheapest estimate often means problems later.

Skipping the license verification: Saves 30 minutes upfront, costs tens of thousands later if something goes wrong.

Not getting estimates in writing: "We'll sort it out as we go" is a recipe for conflict.

Hiring a contractor who can't explain their process: If they can't articulate how they manage a project, they probably can't manage it.

Ignoring red flags: If something feels off during the hiring process, trust that instinct.

The Broader Context

Now that you understand how to find and vet a contractor, you might want to step back and evaluate whether a general contractor is right for your specific project. If you haven't already, read Is it worth getting a general contractor? to understand the ROI and value protection that professional management provides.

Your Path Forward

Hiring a local contractor takes time, but it's the best investment you can make in your home. A good contractor returns value through quality work, proper permits, code compliance, and peace of mind.

Ready to find your contractor? If you're in Beverly Hills or Los Angeles County and considering a kitchen remodel, bathroom renovation, or home addition, California Construction & Remodeling Experts is ready to walk you through this process.

We're licensed, insured, and we have the track record to back it up. Our team will provide a detailed estimate, answer all your questions, and manage your project from start to finish.

Related Posts in This Series

• What do most general contractors charge per hour? — Understand hourly rates and what they include

• Is it cheaper to hire a handyman or contractor? — Learn when each option makes sense

• Is it worth getting a general contractor? — Explore ROI and value protection

Book a free in-home consultation at (323) 638-7558. Or visit www.calbuildremodel.com to see our kitchen remodeling services and get a sense of the quality we deliver.

We're located at 9100 Wilshire Blvd. E. Tower STE. 333, Beverly Hills, CA 90212. Let's build something great together.