Hiring
How to hire a general contractor in Pasadena: what to ask
By Michael Ward, owner of MKW Homes Inc
By Michael Ward, owner of MKW Homes Inc · Updated August 2026
The short answer
Verify the contractor's license yourself on the CSLB website, do not just take their word for it. Confirm they carry general liability and workers comp, insist on a written scope that spells out allowances, and ask who is actually on your site each day. If one quote comes in far below the rest, treat it as a warning, not a bargain.
Verify the license before anything else
In California, general contractors are licensed by the CSLB, and you can check any license number for free on the state's website. Look that the license is active, matches the business name on the contract, and carries the right classification for your job. A Class B license covers general building work. Do this yourself. A framed license on a wall or a number painted on a truck proves nothing until you have looked it up.
Insurance and a written scope protect you
Two things decide whether a job goes sideways. First, insurance. Ask for a certificate showing general liability and workers comp, and confirm it is current, because if an uninsured worker gets hurt on your property, that can land on you. Second, the written scope. It should list what is included and state allowances in dollars for things like tile and fixtures, so a thin allowance today does not become a surprise bill later.
Why the lowest bid is usually the trap
When three bids cluster together and one sits far below them, the low one is rarely a gift. Usually the scope is thinner, the allowances are lower, or the plan is to make it back on change orders once your kitchen is torn apart and you have nowhere else to turn. We get called in to finish jobs a cheaper outfit walked away from, and the second time always costs more. Read what each bid includes before you compare the numbers.
Ask who is actually on your site each day
The person who sells you the job is often not the person swinging the hammer. Ask who runs the site day to day, whether the crew is employed by the company or subcontracted out, and who your single point of contact is when a question comes up. Ask how they handle permits and inspections, since a real Pasadena contractor pulls permits under their own license. Get the schedule and payment terms in writing.
The one thing to remember
If you remember one thing, make it this. Verify the license yourself, confirm the insurance, and read what each bid actually includes before you compare prices. The cheapest number on paper is often the most expensive job by the end.
Follow-up questionsAnswered.
Do I really need to check the CSLB license myself?
Yes. Anyone can print a license number on a business card. Checking it on the state's site takes two minutes and tells you if the license is active, correctly classified, and tied to the name on your contract. It is the easiest way to avoid a bad hire.
How big a deposit is normal for a remodel?
California limits what a contractor can ask for before work starts. Rather than hand over a large lump sum, tie payments to completed stages written into the contract. If someone wants most of the money up front, treat it as a warning.
What should a written scope include?
It should name the work, the materials, and dollar allowances for finishes like tile, fixtures, and cabinets. It should cover permits, who pulls them, cleanup, and a payment schedule tied to stages. The more specific the allowances, the fewer surprises on a bathroom remodel or home addition.
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About the author
Michael Ward, owner of MKW Homes Inc
Michael is a Liverpool-trained builder with over 20 years in the trade, running one four-person crew across Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley. California license CSLB #1074934, verifiable on the CSLB website. He writes these guides from what the work actually involves.
