1. MOST IMPORTANT!!! Don’t ever give anyone a big deposit. If they ask for one, find another contractor. 
2. Make sure the contractor has a permanent business location and a good reputation with local banks and suppliers. 
3. Make sure that the contractor is licensed. 
4. Make sure that the permit is pulled. This is for your own protection. If they want you to pull the permit, it would be advisable to find a contractor that is qualified to pull a permit. 
5. Have the contractor show you his Contractor’s License. Make sure that the name that appears on the license is the same as the name on the contract. If the names are different, the contractor is operating illegally! 
6. MAKE SURE THE CONTRACTOR HAS WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION AND GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE. IF NOT, YOU COULD BE LIABLE FOR CONSTRUCTION RELATED ACCIDENTS. IF THE CONTRACTOR TELLS YOU THEY DON’T NEED INSURANCE BECAUSE THEY WORK BY THEMSELVES, HE IS WRONG!!! 
7. Choose a contractor with whom you are comfortable with and can communicate with easily. Misunderstandings can be costly and cause delays. 
8. Be very careful how the contract is written: It could cost you thousands of dollars. 
9. REMEMBER!!! Just because you pay a contractor in full does not mean that you won’t get any liens on your property. If you pay a contract in full and they don’t pay their suppliers, the suppliers can put a lien on your house. You could end up paying for the same job twice. 
10. If you want to check the legality of anyone’s license, call the Department of Professional Regulation at: (800) 342-7940 or you can call the local County or City Building Departments.

1. They want a DEPOSIT!!! 
2. They want YOU to pull the permit!!! 
3. They don’t have liability AND workmen’s compensation insurance!!! 
4. They want YOU to get the plans drawn!!! 
5. The name on the contract you sign is NOT the SAME as the name on the license. If it isn’t, they are operating illegally. 

PS: For your information, a scheister is a crook.