In Los Angeles, you must hire a licensed contractor for any remodeling or construction project that costs more than $500, labor and material cost combined.

The California Contractor State License Board (CSLB) is one of the highest rated licensing boards in the country and sets high standards for contractor Licensing. Applicants must prove four years of work experience, pass a trade examination and an examination on the relevant law and business, and pay a fee. All contractors licensed after 2005 are required to submit their fingerprints and pass a criminal background check. Licenses must be renewed every 2 years for a $360 fee. Contractors must maintain at least $2,500 in operating capital.

Licensed contractors in California must carry workers' compensation insurance and liability insurance with the cumulative limit of $1 million for five or less people, and an additional $100,000 for each additional member (not to exceed $5 million total). Request a copy of each insurance certificate for your records before any work begins.

In general, all new constructions, additions, structural alterations, interior or floor plan changes, and the demolition or removal of a structure in Los Angeles requires a permit. Other common projects and land uses that require a permit include a recycling deposit center, open air storage, outdoor temporary events, signs and sign structure, fences, retaining walls and shoring plans. If you are unsure if a building permit is needed for your project, contact the Department of Building and Safety at 213.473.3231.

The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) is responsible for issuing permits and ensuring project compliance with all applicable codes and ordinances. When beginning your project, decide with your contractor who will handle the permitting process. LADBS offers a number of services to assist you in the permitting process. This includes consultations with plan check engineers to answer code-related questions and identify major site-specific issues and a variety of methods for obtaining a building permit. Many small to medium sized residential projects are eligible to receive same-day building permits through the Counter Plan Check. More details are available on the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) website.

The CSLB requires licensed contractors in California to hold a bond, which provides you with financial recourse in case they perform defective work or violate license regulations. The California Contractor State License Board cannot force an unlicensed contractor to make repairs or provide financial restitution.

The BuildZoom score is based on a number of factors including the contractor's license information, which is gathered from the California Contractor State License Board; building permit data, gathered from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety; and feedback and behavior we have observed in the BuildZoom marketplace and in other, third-party review sites.

We have analyzed every licensed contractor who has worked in Los Angeles, California. Using this information, we’re able to save you time, money and lessen your risk by providing you with a simple and straight-forward way to gather and receive multiple bids from vetted general contractors in Los Angeles. Click here to get started by providing us with a few details about your project.