Planning a remodel is exciting—and a little overwhelming. The right contractor will keep your project on budget and on schedule, with clear communication from day one. Below is a simple, non-technical checklist that covers five essentials: licensing, insurance, experience, references, and contracts. We’ll also show how Streamline Construction approaches each area with transparency so you can decide if we’re the right fit for your home.
In California, contractors must be licensed for jobs of $500 or more, and the license should cover the kind of work you need (for example, a B—General Building classification for whole-home remodeling). Don’t just take a number at face value—use the official California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) “Check a License” tool to confirm status, classification, and whether the license is active and unrestricted. You can search by company name or license number in seconds. CSLB License Check.
Ask for proof of current workers’ compensation insurance when a contractor has employees, and ask whether they carry commercial general liability coverage. CSLB’s consumer guidance recommends confirming both, and notes that contractors with certain classifications must carry workers’ comp even without employees. Many reputable contractors share a coverage disclosure form with the insurer’s contact info so you can verify it directly. Helpful overviews: CSLB: What You Should Know Before Hiring and CSLB: Liability Insurance Info.
Experience should match your scope. If you’re planning a kitchen-plus-great-room update or a whole-home transformation, ask to see projects of similar size and complexity. Review galleries and ask how the team coordinates design, permitting, and construction—especially if you want a single, integrated process. To get a feel for our capabilities, browse Streamline’s Project Gallery and see how we approach integrated delivery on our Design + Build Services page.
References provide details you won’t get from photos alone. Request a few recent clients with similar projects, then ask simple, telling questions: Did the contractor communicate clearly? How were change orders handled? Was the jobsite respectful of your home and HOA? Streamline also publishes public feedback on our site so you can get a sense of our communication and craftsmanship culture before you call references. (See our testimonials page for long-form reviews.)
Your contract should spell out who does what, which materials are included, milestones, how change orders are approved, permit responsibilities, cleanup, warranty terms, and a clear payment schedule. CSLB’s consumer guide also reminds homeowners about California’s down-payment limit: in most cases, no more than $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less, with progress payments tied to work completed. See the CSLB guide for details.
When you gather multiple bids, make sure each proposal covers the same scope, allowances, finishes, and timeline. Outliers—especially unusually low bids—often signal missing scope or change-order risk later. A detailed, transparent estimate usually saves time (and surprises) once work starts. For general red-flag awareness, the FTC shares consumer tips on spotting home-improvement scams: FTC: Avoid Home-Improvement Scams.
From our first conversation, we talk openly about budget, timeline, and design expectations so there’s transparency from the start. We also lay out the stages of construction and what to expect at each step—before work begins—so you feel informed and in control. That clarity is a big reason homeowners choose us.
If you want a contractor that leads with clarity, we’d love to hear about your project. Start by browsing our Project Gallery and learning about our Design + Build Services. Then reach out—our team will walk you through a transparent plan tailored to your budget, timeline, and goals.