Tick what the house needs. You get a Bay Area price range per item, plus permits and a cushion for surprises.
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Do you need a permit?
Cheap bid? Ask in writing: are permits, haul-away and dumpster included? Is it a fixed price or time and materials?
Next steps
Get 3 written bids for the same scope. Compare line by line, not just the bottom number.
Check every contractor's license and insurance at cslb.ca.gov before you pay anything.
California caps the down payment on a home improvement job at $1,000 or 10%, whichever is less. Pay the rest as work is done.
Ask the city if your job needs a permit (permit check tool). Unpermitted work can come back to bite you when you sell.
Many people get this wrong:The cheapest bid often isn't cheaper. It just leaves out permits, haul-away, dumpster, patching and paint after the work. Those get added later as "change orders".