Pick the trade. See the license it needs, the Bay Area price, what to ask. Then score up to 3 bids.
What they do
When you need one
Bay Area price
How to verify
Prices are Bay Area estimates (2025–2026 cost guides, same as T90). Your scope decides the real number.
California rules that protect you
Handyman: under $1,000 total, labor and materials together. Only if the job needs no permit, they hire no helpers, and it is not a bigger job split up. B&P §7048 · $1,000 since 1/1/2025
Deposit: no more than 10% or $1,000, whichever is less. Pay the rest only as work gets done. B&P §7159 · CSLB
3 business days to cancel (5 if you are 65+) when you sign anywhere other than the contractor's place of business. Cancel in writing. Civil Code §1689.6 · CSLB
Every change in writing. Get the "Notice to Owner" about mechanics liens. Ask for lien releases from subs and suppliers. CSLB
Permits: the contract should say the contractor pulls them and the fee is in the price. Check what needs one at T92. CSLB
A "B" general contractor can take a plumbing-only or electrical-only job only if they also hold that license, or the job has 2+ unrelated trades. B&P §7057
The $25,000 license bond is not insurance. It is small. Ask for liability and workers' comp too. CSLB
Sundays do not count. Some holidays also do not count (Civil Code §1689.5): if one falls in the window, you get one more day. Does not apply if you signed at the contractor's office.
Compare up to 3 bids
Same scope, different contractors. Enter each bid. The score updates as you type.
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B
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Best pick score
0 /100
Most the best pick can ask as a deposit: $0
Score out of 100: price 30, license checked 25, insurance 15, reviews 15, warranty 10 (24 months = full), how soon 5. Not checked = max 40.
No bid has a checked license yet. Look each one up at CSLB before you sign or pay anything.
10 questions to ask
Tap a question to see why it matters. Tick it once you have the answer.
Progress
Red flags: walk away
Coming soon
Ken's trusted list
Ken is putting together contractors his clients have used and liked. Until then, text him and he will send names that fit your job and city.
Look up each license at CSLB: active, right class, bond and workers' comp on file, no complaints.
Get 3 written bids for the same scope. Use T90 to sanity-check the price.
Check permits at T92. Make the contract say who pulls them.
Sign only a written contract with a payment schedule tied to finished work. Deposit max 10% or $1,000.
Common mistake:Thinking a handyman can do any job under $1,000. Only if it needs no permit and they work alone. Swapping a water heater needs a permit, so it needs a licensed plumber even if it is cheap. Splitting a big job into small bills is not allowed (B&P §7048).