The 10 Best Sacramento, CA General Contractors

In Sacramento 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 4 years of work experience, pass a trade examination and one 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 on your property begins.

In general, new construction, additions, remodeling, work that affects the structural elements of a building and demolition will require a permit in Sacramento. Common projects that require permits include enclosures and carports, decks and patio covers, garage and attic conversions, landscape irrigation, retaining walls, window replacement, signs, fences 6 feet or higher, masonry walls over 4 feet, fireplaces, skylights, accessory buildings larger than 120 square feet, shower and/or tub enclosure replacements, swimming pools and spas, siding and ceiling fans.

The Sacramento Community Development Department: Building Division is responsible for issuing permits and ensuring compliance with all relevant codes and regulations. At the outset of your project, you and your contractor should determine who will be responsible for the permitting process. The Community Development Department offers a number of services to assist you in the permitting process, including a variety of methods for obtaining a building permit depending on the scale and complexity of your project. Some permits for minor work can be easily acquired online by licensed contractors. Other projects may also be eligible for same-day review and permit issue. More details are available on the Sacramento Community Development Department: Building Division website.

All licensed contractors in California are required to maintain a bond, which provides you with financial recourse in case they perform defective work or violate license regulations. The CLBS 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 Sacramento Community Development Department: Building Division 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 Sacramento, 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 Sacramento. Click here to get started by providing us with a few details about your project.