How to Choose a Licensed Roofing Contractor in California

Why Licensing Matters More Than Price

California has more roofing contractor fraud cases than almost any other state. "Storm chasers" — unlicensed crews that follow bad weather — frequently target Bay Area neighborhoods after atmospheric river events, taking large deposits and disappearing.

The consequences of hiring an unlicensed contractor include:

• No legal recourse if work is defective
• Personal liability for workers injured on your property (if they carry no workers' comp)
• Voided homeowner's insurance if work fails to meet code
• Failed permit inspections and costly remediation

Step 1: Verify Their CSLB License

Every roofing contractor in California must hold a C-39 (Roofing) contractor license issued by the California Contractors State License Board.

Verify at: cslb.ca.gov

Check that:

• The license is Active (not expired or suspended)
• The license class includes C-39
• The license name matches the company on the contract
• There are no disciplinary actions on file

Golden Heights Roofing CSLB License: #1068868 — verify it yourself.

Step 2: Confirm Insurance Coverage

Request certificates of insurance for both:

1. General Liability (minimum $1M per occurrence for residential, $2M for commercial)

2. Workers' Compensation — critical. If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor has no workers' comp, you may be liable.

Call the insurance company directly to verify the policy is current. Don't accept photocopied certificates.

Step 3: Require a Written Contract

California law requires written contracts for home improvement work over $500. The contract must include:

• Contractor's name, address, and CSLB license number
• Start and estimated completion dates
• Complete description of the work and materials
• Total price and payment schedule
• 3-day cancellation rights notice

Red flags: Requiring more than 10% down (or $1,000, whichever is less) before work begins is illegal in California. Cash-only requests are a serious warning sign.

Step 4: Check References and Reviews

Request at least 3 references from the past 12 months — similar scope projects in your area. Call them. Ask specifically:

• Was the job completed on schedule?
• Were there unexpected additional costs?
• How was the cleanup?
• Would you hire them again?

Also check: Google Reviews, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau.

Step 5: Get 3 Competing Bids

Roofing prices vary significantly by contractor. Three bids help you identify outliers — both suspiciously low (possible shortcuts or unlicensed crew) and unusually high.

Compare bids on an apples-to-apples basis: same material brand and grade, same warranty terms, same scope of work.

The Bottom Line

A licensed, insured, well-reviewed contractor may cost 10–20% more than the lowest bidder — but the protection and peace of mind are worth every dollar. Your roof is your home's first line of defense; don't trust it to an unknown crew.

Questions? Golden Heights Roofing is a fully licensed and insured Bay Area roofing contractor. Call (510) 587-9501 for a free estimate.