How to avoid getting ripped off when hiring contractors.

I’m going to share a tip I give every single one of my clients—

How to avoid getting ripped off when hiring contractors.

Whether it’s a plumber, roofer, electrician—doesn’t matter.

Most people make the same mistake:

They start their search on Google or Yelp.

Sounds smart, right? But here’s the problem—

Everyone else is doing the exact same thing.

And that means the contractors you find there are usually swamped with business.

So what happens?

They raise their prices. Sometimes dramatically. And you end up overpaying—just because they’re easy to find.

Here’s what I tell my clients instead:

Go to the California Contractor State License Board website.

It’s part of the Department of Consumer Affairs.

This is where all licensed contractors in the state are listed.

Now here’s the trick:

Don’t search in your zip code—especially if you live in a high-cost area.

Instead, search in a nearby city or county with a lower cost of living.

Find plumbers, electricians, or roofers there.

You’ll get a list of licensed pros who might not have fancy websites or hundreds of reviews—but that’s the point.

Those folks are often just as good, sometimes better, and way more affordable.

Start calling them. Get 8–12 quotes. Ask for references.

That’s how you find quality work—without paying premium just because of visibility.

Don’t pay more because a contractor is good at marketing.

Pay for skill, not search ranking.