Why hire a licensed contractor?

If your project costs more than $500, the contractor must be licensed by the state. To verify a license, contact the California State License Board by phone at (800) 321-2752 or visit them online at www.cslb.ca.gov.

Contractors must demonstrate a minimum level of competency and financial responsibility to be licensed. All CLCA member-contractors meet this requirement.

California's cities and counties require business licenses.

The Department of Agriculture requires landscape firms applying pesticides in California to have a pest control license.

Workers' compensation insurance protects you in case a worker employed by a contractor is injured on your property.

General liability insurance protects against not-so-natural disasters.

These policies typically offer a minimum coverage of $300,000 to $1 million for residential and at least $1 million for commercial work. Automobile insurance provides additional protection when a contractor's vehicle is involved in an accident on your property.