Hire a garage builder whose California license you have checked, who puts the full scope and payment schedule in a written contract, and who asks for no more than the legal down payment. The checks below apply to any builder you talk to, us included.
Does a garage builder need a license in California?
Yes. The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) licenses contractors in California. Since January 1, 2025, under AB 2622, an unlicensed person may do a job only up to $1,000, and only if no building permit is needed and no workers are hired. A garage needs a permit, so its builder needs a license in the right classification. A whole garage is general building work, the Class B General Building Contractor license, which covers structures that use at least two unrelated trades. The B-2 Residential Remodeling license is limited to existing homes and cannot alter load-bearing walls. A concrete contractor holds a C-8.
How do I check a contractor's license?
Ask for the license number, then look it up on the CSLB website. The lookup shows the license status, the classifications, the bond, whether workers' compensation insurance is on file, and any legal actions. Make sure the name on the license matches the name on the contract.
What insurance should a garage builder carry?
Ask for proof of general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance, with the certificate sent to you by the insurer. The CSLB lookup shows whether workers' compensation insurance is on file. If an uninsured worker is hurt on your property, you could face the claim.
How much deposit should a garage builder take in California?
No more than 10 percent of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less, for a home improvement job, by CSLB's rules. After that, payments should follow the work and never run ahead of it. Avoid paying in cash, and keep a written payment schedule in the contract.
Should I hire a garage specialist or a general contractor?
Either can work, as long as they hold a Class B license and have built garages like yours. A builder who does garages often knows the slab, framing, seismic and door details well. A general contractor handles big projects with many trades, like a garage with an apartment. Ask both for photos of garages they built and for the permit numbers.
What should a garage contract include?
- Names, addresses and the contractor's CSLB license number.
- The full scope: size, slab, framing, roof, siding, doors, windows, electrical, plumbing and drainage.
- Who pulls the permits and who pays the fees.
- Start date and the expected time to finish.
- The down payment and a payment schedule tied to the work.
- How change orders are priced and approved in writing.
- Cleanup, debris removal and repair of the driveway or yard.
- What is guaranteed and for how long, in writing.
Ask for a lien release from the contractor, subcontractors and suppliers as you pay, so no one can place a lien on your home later.
How many quotes should I get?
Get at least three written quotes for the same scope, so you can compare them line by line. A quote far below the others often leaves out the slab, permits or engineering.
What are the red flags when hiring a garage builder?
- No license number, or a license that does not match the name.
- A down payment above 10 percent or $1,000.
- Pressure to sign the same day or pay in cash.
- No written contract or a vague scope.
- Telling you a permit is not needed.
- A price given without seeing the lot.
How do I find a good garage builder near me?
To find a good builder, ask neighbors who built recently, read local reviews, check each license on the CSLB website, and meet on your lot. A builder who knows Santa Rosa will ask about the fire zone, the soil and whether you might add a unit later. The best ones explain the permit path before you sign.
Where do I file a complaint against a California contractor?
File a complaint with the Contractors State License Board. CSLB has complaint forms on its website and can act against licensed and unlicensed contractors. This is general information, not legal advice.
Do you give free estimates?
Yes. Call or text (707) 392-2557 to set up a visit, and we put the scope and price in a written quote. We work in Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Petaluma, Windsor, Healdsburg, Sebastopol, Cotati, Sonoma, Kenwood, Glen Ellen, Novato and Napa.