Your rights as a home owner during construction

Understanding Your Rights for Home Improvement in California

As a licensed general contractor, I take pride in educating my clients on their legal protections under California law. The CSLB Consumer Guide to Home Improvement Contracts (Terms of Agreement) outlines key homeowner rights—and here’s what you should know.

1. Everything Must Be in Writing 📄

For any home improvement job over $500, a written contract is mandatory. It must be legible, easy to understand, and include your right to cancel or rescind the contract CSLB+7CSLB+7CSLB+7.

Contracts must detail:

• Scope of work

• Materials

• Payment schedule

• Contractor’s name, address, and CSLB license number

• Who obtains necessary permits

• Starting and completion dates

• Cleanup responsibilities

• Warranties for labor and materials CSLB+2CSLB+2CSLB

2. Payment Terms: Down Payments & Schedule

By law, down payments cannot exceed 10 % of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less, unless the contractor holds a blanket performance and payment bond filed with CSLB CSLB+7CSLB+7CSLB+7.

Additionally, payments must not exceed the value of work performed (except the permitted down payment), and each payment should correspond to completed milestones as spelled out in the schedule CSLB+2CSLB+2.

3. Change Orders & Extras

Any scope or material changes must be handled via written change orders, signed by both parties before new work begins. These change orders become part of the contract and should clearly indicate added or subtracted cost, description of work, and impact on schedule CSLB+5CSLB+5CSLB+5.

4. Right to Cancel (“Cooling-Off” Period)

Most contracts include a three-business-day cancellation period (or five-business days for consumers age 65+) if the contract wasn’t negotiated at the contractor’s office and is $25 or more CSLB.

To cancel, homeowners simply send written notice. The contractor must return all money paid within 10 days and restore the property to its previous condition. Consumers must return any materials delivered or installed CSLB+1.

Exception: Service and repair contracts (emergency work under $750) may not include this cancel period, and cancellation rights are waived once work begins CSLB+1.

5. Mechanics’ Lien Warning

Any contract must include a Notice to Owner warning about potential mechanics’ liens, a legal claim subcontractors, suppliers, or workers can file if unpaid. This notice helps homeowners avoid unexpected liens on their property CSLB+6CSLB+6CSLB+6.

6. Warranties & Complaints

If you receive a warranty—either from your contractor or the manufacturer—it must be in writing and clearly state what’s covered and its duration. Note: you have up to four years to file a CSLB complaint about defective workmanship—longer if additional warranties are included in your contract CSLB.

Closing Thoughts

Understanding these protections can give you confidence and ensure your project stays on track and within legal guidelines. As your licensed contractor, my goal is to deliver quality work and full transparency so you feel informed at every step. Questions? I’m always happy to review your contract drafts or clarify terms before you sign.

What to ask your contractor and when?

Introduction: Who We Are

At Mad Era Design + Build, we’re not just contractors—we're your partners in transforming houses into homes. As a full-service general contracting firm in Ventura County, we handle everything from design to delivery, bringing clarity, creativity, and calm to what can often feel like a chaotic process. Whether you're remodeling a kitchen, building an addition, or refreshing your entire property, we take pride in managing every detail—from permitting and finish selections to timelines and communication—so you don’t have to.

Our mission is simple: make the renovation experience better. And that starts with transparency and trust. For homeowners, one of the most powerful tools you have is knowing what to ask—and when to ask it.

What to Ask Your Contractor—And When

A successful construction or renovation project isn’t just about choosing the right materials or style—it’s about communication. Knowing which questions to ask (and when to ask them) can help avoid costly surprises and ensure a smoother experience from start to finish.

Here’s a breakdown of key questions every homeowner should ask their contractor, organized by project phase:

BEFORE HIRING A CONTRACTOR

These are the questions that help you filter for experience, transparency, and fit:

• Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
  Always verify credentials. In California, your contractor should have an active license with the CSLB.

• Do you offer in-house design services?

  This can be a game-changer. Working with a contractor who also handles design streamlines communication and prevents costly missteps.

• Do you handle permitting?
  Some contractors leave this up to the homeowner—others (like us) handle it all for you.

• What is your typical timeline for a project like this?
  Ask for both a best-case and a realistic-case timeline.

DURING DESIGN + PLANNING

Now that you’ve hired a contractor, shift your questions toward logistics and communication:

• Who will be my main point of contact throughout the project?
  Clear communication lines are essential, you always want to know who to reach when the inevitable question comes up.

• What’s included in the scope of work—and what isn’t?
  Review your contract and clarify any gray areas. Remember, if it isn’t written down you don’t have much to fall back on.

• When do I need to finalize finish selections (tile, lighting, appliances, etc.)?
  The earlier these decisions are made, the smoother the scheduling will be.

• How do you manage the budget and timeline?
  Understand how progress will be tracked and communicated, and what happens if there are delays.

BEFORE CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

This is the time to nail down expectations and prep:

• What should I expect during demolition and construction?
  Ask about dust control, noise, working hours, and access to your home (and restroom).

• What’s your plan for handling unexpected issues or hidden damage?
  Experienced contractors should already have contingency planning in place.

DURING THE BUILD

Curiosity can go a long way for a homeowner during their build/remodel. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You are your best advocate and being curious about the bones of your home can save you some serious cash down the line and provide you with the conveniences you deserve. Some questions you can ask are:

Plumbing + Electrical Systems

• How did my water pipes look post demo?
  Asking your contractor or plumber to walk you through the state of your water lines can inform you on the probability of a different section of your home needing attention. We always recommend replacing any visible water lines if they are showing aging and possible pin-holes.

• Is the water pressure consistent across all new and existing fixtures?
  Uneven pressure can signal underlying issues that are easier to fix mid-construction.

• Are there any surprises in the drain lines or venting that we need to address?
  Improper slope, corrosion, or venting issues can compromise long-term performance.

• Have we mapped all new electrical circuits, and are they balanced?
  Make sure your panel can support new loads and that everything is code compliant.

• Do you recommend upgrading the electrical panel or wiring while walls are open?
  Many older homes aren’t equipped for modern loads—especially in kitchens or additions. Did you know almost all of your appliances should be on their own circuit? An average kitchen has 7-10 circuits. Make sure you ask these questions so your kitchen can function as it should.

• Are all recessed lights, switches, and outlets being installed at the correct height and location?
  Double-check layout, functionality, and level while rough-ins are visible.

• Are insulation and soundproofing planned for any specific rooms or walls?
  Great to discuss if you want extra quiet in bedrooms, offices, or shared walls.

• Do any areas need blocking added (e.g., for future towel bars, TVs, or shelving)?
  It's easy to add backing during framing, but difficult once drywall goes up.

• Can I take photos of the open walls before drywall?
  Ask your contractor to notify you before drywall installation begins, this is a great way to document wiring, plumbing, and framing locations for future reference.

Final Thoughts

Hiring the right contractor isn’t just about price—it’s about trust, transparency, and teamwork. At Mad Era Design + Build, we believe homeowners deserve to feel confident and informed every step of the way. Whether it’s your first renovation or your fifth, asking the right questions at the right time can make all the difference.

And if you're ready to start your next project with a team that puts your experience first, we're here when you're ready.

- Sandra & Laura