The best way is to get a personal referral. Ask neighbors, friends and family whom they've hired to work on their house, if they were happy with the results. You can also look in the phone book or online or check with your local builders' exchange or trade group. It's important to remember that California law requires contractors to post their state license number on their ads, flyers and even on the side of their truck. Be sure to look for the license number and verify that it's current and valid. You can check the status of a license on the Contractors State License Board's (CSLB) Web site www.cslb.ca.gov or by calling 800-321-CSLB (2752). Be sure to get at least three bids before hiring a contractor.

I was researching contractors and I see that general liability insurance is something a contractor should carry. I thought workers' compensation was sufficient

hat's the difference and should my contractor have general liability insurance in addition to workers' compensation?

Workers' compensation insurance is required, by law, when a contractor has employees. General liability insurance is optional, yet highly recommended. While workers' compensation covers any worker who gets injured while on your property, general liability covers any damage the contractor does to your property. You never know what can happen on a work site, so it's best to be safe and insist your contractor carries general liability. One final note regarding workers' compensation insurance: Be sure to contact the insurance carrier yourself to find out how many workers are covered by the policy. Some contractors try to skirt the law by only covering some of their workers.

I would like to file a complaint against the contractor that I hired to fix my roof. How do I file a complaint with the CSLB and what is the process?

You can download a complaint form on the CSLB Web site or have one mailed to you by calling 800-321-CSLB (2752). Be su
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