When do you need to hire a licensed contractor in California?

In California, any remodeling or construction project that exceeds $500 (labor and materials), requires a contractor to have an active license with the California Contractor State License Board (CSLB).

How important is contractor licensing in California?

The CSLB is one of the highest rated licensing boards in the US. Applicants are required to pass a written board exam and prove at least four years of prior, relevant work experience. In addition, the CSLB requires all license holders to maintain at least $2,500 in operating capital and provides you with a range of other consumer protections.

Your liability risk when hiring a licensed contractor in California

Contractors in California are required to carry workers' compensation insurance if they have employees and proof of liability insurance with the cumulative limit of $1 million for licensees with five or fewer persons, and an additional 100,000 for each additional member over five, not to exceed $5 million total.

Financial recourse when hiring a contractor in California

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. If you feel as though you have been taken advantage of, you should leave feedback on the contractor's BuildZoom profile and file a complaint with the CSLB.

What else should I know before hiring a contractor in California?

California contractors are required to submit their fingerprints to the board, which are then checked against criminal records held by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) prior to obtaining a valid contracting license.

How is the BuildZoom score calculated?

The BuildZoom score is based on a number of factors including the contractor's license status, insurance status, verified work history, standing with local consumer interest groups, verified reviews from other BuildZoom users and self-reported feedback from the contractor.

Why you should hire through BuildZoom

When it comes to major construction work or even minor alterations to your home, hiring the wrong contractor could result in incomplete or defective work. You may even find yourself dealing with huge liability claims. BuildZoom does the homework for you and helps you hire the right contractor.

You should get several bids before hiring a contractor

The California State License Board recommends getting at least three written bids before hiring a contractor. Do not automatically accept the lowest bid - an abnormally low bid may indicate the contractor made a mistake and is not including the same work quoted by their competitors. We've made the bid collection process extremely simple (and free). Just click here to get started.

Page 9 | Best Hvac/mechanical Contractors in San Francisco, CA

Recent Projects

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Best of BuildZoom: 2026

BZ Score

Valex Construction

We understand remodeling your home can be an emotional experience.

BZ Score

San Francisco Investment Development Aka Sfid Design Build

It's important to communicate clearly, while listening with an attention to detail.

BZ Score

415 Remodeling Inc

Clients look for a professional experience and delivery of their project.

BZ Score

Webcor Builders Inc

The best clients get involved, understand the costs, make decisions quickly, and have clear goals

BZ Score

FORMA Construction

The only goal is to complete the project and make the client happy. Nothing else matters.

BZ Score

Dawson Clinton General Contractors

Treat the partnership like a marriage – there’s no other option but to finish.

BZ Score

Gci Construction

Setting expectations early in the process is extremely important.

BZ Score

Aaron Gordon Construction Inc

Changes to scope or designing during the build is the largest contributor to schedule slip.

BZ Score

Centric Building Inc

Some things will go wrong. I ask our clients not to judge us by that, but by how we react

BZ Score

Benjamin Shaw

Clients search for honesty, integrity, personality compatibility and value, in that order.

BuildZoom’s database now contains every licensed contractor across the U.S. - over 2.5 million of them... Categorized contractor profiles are enriched using government data from state licensing boards, Better Business Bureau ratings, and more… BuildZoom jumped into the fray by announcing that it raised $10.6 million in a round led by Formation 8. ...the Y combinator-backed startup said it will be focused on remodeling projects, where the median budget is around $19,000… A new index compiled by BuildZoom — which identifies contractors for projects — found that renovations are running 2.8 percent above their 2005 level…

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Showing 201 - 211 of the best 211 experts

LFH

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Larry Fitzsimmons Heating

ALERT

*No active license on file. If you are Larry Fitzsimmons Heating, click “This is My Business” to update your information.

SPI

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S&L Payton Inc

ALERT

Notable project: (Building permit. 539 Edgecliff Wy, San Mateo, CA, 94497). Install furnace and ducting to control room only. no conditioned space in garage

*No active license on file. If you are S&L Payton Inc, click “This is My Business” to update your information.

get quote

NIM HVAC

ALERT

5.0 Total projects

*No active license on file. If you are NIM HVAC, click “This is My Business” to update your information.

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Arthur Garcia

ALERT

7.0 Total projects

*No active license on file. If you are Arthur Garcia, click “This is My Business” to update your information.

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J&M Heating

ALERT

558.0 Total projects

Notable project: (Combo permit. 608 E 14th St, San Leandro, CA, 94577). Install exhaust fan in nail salon. install unit heater in #614 (dancing school) electrical & plumbing work on separate permit

*No active license on file. If you are J&M Heating, click “This is My Business” to update your information.

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C and J Heating Venting and Air Conditioning

ALERT

Notable project: (Plumbing permit. 4964 Mission St, San Francisco, CA, 94112). Units a/b/c: install 3 gas furnaces ductworks flue pipe

*No active license on file. If you are C and J Heating Venting and Air Conditioning, click “This is My Business” to update your information.

HMI

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Hawk Mechanical Inc

ALERT

Notable project: (Building. 55 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA, 94108). Relocate 1 heat pump with duct work & grilles relocate 3 vav boxes with duct work & grilles relocate 1 ft box with duct work and grilles relocate 2 exhaust fans with duct work & grilles install 3 new exhaust fans with duct work & grilles relocate hot water piping to 1 vav box and 1 ft box

*No active license on file. If you are Hawk Mechanical Inc, click “This is My Business” to update your information.

BCA

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Bay Cities Air Conditioning

ALERT

15.0 Hvac projects

1115.0 Other projects

*No active license on file. If you are Bay Cities Air Conditioning, click “This is My Business” to update your information.

AMI

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Amazon Mechanical Inc

ALERT

*No active license on file. If you are Amazon Mechanical Inc, click “This is My Business” to update your information.

BuildZoom: The Best Way to Hire

Let us do the work for you. Simply describe your project and we'll help you find the perfect contractor.

MPH

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Magic Plumbing Heating & Cooling

ALERT

Magic Plumbing, Heating & Cooling has proudly served San Francisco, San Mateo County, and the East Bay since 1980. We specialize in plumbing repair, drain cleaning, sewer line services, water heaters, furnace repair, and air conditioning throughout the Bay Area. Licensed, same-day service, 7 days a week with upfront pricing and no hidden fees.

*No active license on file. If you are Magic Plumbing Heating & Cooling, log in and update your license info in the “Edit Profile” tab.

MpH

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Magic plumbing Heating & Cooling

ALERT

Since 1980, Magic Plumbing, Heating & Cooling has been San Francisco's trusted family-owned plumber and HVAC company. We specialize in plumbing repair, drain cleaning, hydro jetting, sewer line repair and installation, and water heater installation and repair. Pump and sewage ejector installation. We also perform grease trap cleaning and pumping for restaurants. Our licensed HVAC technicians... (more)

*No active license on file. If you are Magic plumbing Heating & Cooling, log in and update your license info in the “Edit Profile” tab.

Recent Work in San Francisco

$1-$5K

94117

Residential

HVAC Replacements

Project completed by Evs Mechanical

Thanks in advance for your help and quote. I'm looking to get a vented central heat pump installed to replace our existing gas heater for our 2nd floor unit. Before quoting, please watch this video, which walks through the work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJV4la9J7IY The indoor air handler unit would replace our existing gas furnace, located above our kitchen in the crawl space above our unit. The outdoor condenser unit would be placed on the ground outside in our alleyway. We have already purchased the equipment needed: a MRCOOL Central Ducted Hyper Heat Residential 2-Ton 17.4-SEER Heat Pump (model: CENTRAL-24-HP-230A50) with a pre-filled 50-foot line, and will also purchase the line covers needed! This is a request for a labor-only quote. Electrical and concrete work prerequi...

94116

Residential

Gas Heater Repair

I went on vacation, and when I returned, I could not run the gas heater. I am presently without heat. Please let me know if this is something you can assist with. Thank you!

94109

Boiler and Air Conditioning Work

I would like RFQ to fix the boiler and A/C system of the building. If you are interested in this project, please reach out. Thank you!

$20-$50K

94123

Boutique pilates studio buid out needs hvac heat pump and ducts

THe hvac heat pump goes in the roof the specifcs are in the drawings

The 10 Best Hvac/mechanical contractors in San Francisco, CA

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BuildZoom: The Best Way to Hire

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The 10 Best Hvac/mechanical contractors in San Francisco, CA

Recent Projects

Filter for Hvac/mechanical contractors

Let us help you find the right general contractor.

Best of BuildZoom: 2026

Press Coverage

BuildZoom: The Best Way to Hire

Recent Work in San Francisco

BuildZoom: The Best Way to Hire