In San José you must hire a licensed contractor for any remodeling or construction project that costs more than $500, labor and material cost combined.

The California Contractor State License Board (CSLB) is one of the highest rated licensing boards in the country and sets high standards for contractor licensing.

Applicants must prove four years of work experience, pass a trade examination and one on the relevant law and business, and pay a fee. All contractors licensed after 2005 are required to submit their fingerprints and pass a criminal background check. Licenses must be renewed every 2 years for a $360 fee. The CSLB requires contractors to maintain at least $2,500 in operating capital.

Licensed contractors in California are required to carry workers' compensation insurance and liability insurance with the cumulative limit of $1 million for five or less people, and an additional $100,000 for each additional member (not to exceed $5 million total). Request a copy of each insurance certificate for your records before any work begins.

Generally, a permit is required in San José for all new construction, demolition, major renovation and projects that change the structural configuration of any part of a building. Additionally, the majority of work done on roofs and the installation of most major appliances, such as a water heater, will require a permit. If you build without a permit when one is required, you are subject to a citation, the removal of such work, problems selling your home in the future and the risk that homeowners insurance won’t cover issues that occur as a result of non-permitted construction. If you are unsure if your project needs a permit, call the Building Division at 408.535.3555.

The San José Building Division Permit Center is responsible for the permitting process. The permitting process is not only required by law, but ensures construction meets all building codes and safety standards, and protects your investment. When you begin your project, you and your contractor should determine who will be responsible for the permitting process. The San José’s Permit Center provides advisory services to assist in the development process and offers different processes to get a building permit depending on the scope and scale of the proposed work. Many smaller residential projects may qualify for same-day permits. More details are available on the San José Building Division Permit Center website.

All licensed contractors in California are required to maintain a bond, which provides you with financial recourse in case they perform defective work or violate license regulations. Unlike with licensed contractors, the CLBS does not have the power to force an unlicensed contractor to make repairs or provide financial restitution.

The BuildZoom score is based on a number of factors including the contractor's license information, which is gathered from the California Contractor State License Board; building permit data, gathered from the San José Building Division Permit Center; and feedback and behavior we have observed in the BuildZoom marketplace and in other, third-party review sites.

We have analyzed every licensed contractor who has worked in San José, California. Using this information, we’re able to save you time, money and lessen your risk by providing you with a simple and straight-forward way to gather and receive multiple bids from vetted general contractors in San José. Click here to get started by providing us with a few details about your project.