How to Hire a Contractor with GOLDGCP: From ZIP Price to Finished Job

The process at a glance

Step 1: See a price for your ZIP code

Prices for the same job vary a lot from one metro to another. GOLDGCP shows a price range for your ZIP code before any contractor visits, so you start with a realistic number. That makes it easier to judge bids later and to spot one that is far above or below the local range.

You can try it now for any US ZIP code.

Step 2: Describe the project

Tell us what you want done, roughly how large it is, and when you would like to start. A good request is short and specific: "Replace a 40-gallon water heater in a garage" or "Remodel a 5-by-8 bathroom, keep the tub." The more detail you give, the closer the first bids will be to the final price.

Some projects need design work before anyone can bid. Additions, structural changes and large remodels often need drawings and a permit set first. The FTC notes that architects design homes, additions and major renovations, especially those with structural changes. GOLDGCP has in-house architects for that stage, so plans and permit drawings are ready before contractors price the job.

For urgent problems such as a burst pipe or a failed water heater, call the 24/7 emergency line rather than waiting on a normal request.

Step 3: Get matched with three vetted pros

GOLDGCP matches each project with three vetted, licensed pros whose trade and service area fit the job. Every one of them has passed six-step vetting: state license verification, an insurance check for general liability and workers' comp, a background and business check, a portfolio review, client reference calls, and onboarding with a quality score.

Three is the number consumer agencies already recommend. CSLB tells California homeowners to get at least three written bids, and the FTC says to get written estimates from several firms. The difference is that the checking has been done before the pros reach you. The vetting process page explains each of the six checks, if you want to see what they cover.

Step 4: Compare the bids

Each pro visits, measures and sends a written bid. Comparing bids well matters more than collecting them.

1. Make sure all three price the same scope. CSLB advises comparing bids based on identical plans, specifications and scope of work. If one bid includes drywall repair and another does not, the totals are not comparable.
2. Check that each bid describes the work, the materials, the completion date and the price. Those are the four items the FTC says a written estimate should contain.
3. Look at allowances. If tile or fixtures will be picked later, the bid should say how much is budgeted for them.
4. Ask about large gaps. The FTC advises against automatically choosing the lowest bidder and suggests asking for an explanation when prices differ widely.
5. Ask each pro how many projects like yours they have completed in the last year.

Your ZIP price range from step 1 is a useful check here. A bid far below it may be missing something. A bid far above it should explain why.

Step 5: Sign a clear contract

Once you choose a pro, get everything in writing. California requires a written contract for any home improvement project over $500 in combined labor and materials. Even where your state does not require one, the FTC says to ask for it.

What the contract should include

Based on FTC and CSLB guidance, check that the contract lists:

• the contractor's name, address, phone and license number;
• the work to be done and a detailed list of materials, including color, model, size and brand;
• the price and the payment schedule;
• estimated start and completion dates;
• who gets the building permits;
• how change orders are handled, meaning written approval for any change to the work, its price or its schedule;
• what is and is not included, such as clean-up and hauling away debris;
• any promises made in conversation.

Your right to cancel

The FTC's Cooling-Off Rule gives you until midnight of the third business day to cancel certain sales made in your home, for sales of $25 or more, or at a temporary location, for sales of $130 or more. It does not cover repairs you asked the seller to come to your home to do, or sales made to meet an emergency. In California, CSLB says a homeowner may cancel within three days of signing, with the notice mailed before midnight of the third day. Read the cancellation notice in your contract so you know which rule applies.

Step 6: Permits and the start date

Most states and localities require permits for building work, even for simple jobs like decks, according to the FTC. A competent contractor gets the necessary permits before starting. The FTC also lists a contractor who asks you to pull the permits yourself as a warning sign. On GOLDGCP projects, expect your contractor to handle permits and inspections. For jobs that need drawings, the in-house architects can prepare them.

Before work starts, confirm the start date, the working hours, where materials and the dumpster will go, and who your daily contact is.

Step 7: Work moves in milestones

Instead of one large payment up front, your project is divided into stages. A bathroom might run demolition, rough plumbing and electrical, inspection, waterproofing and tile, then fixtures and finish. Each stage has a defined scope and a set payment.

When a stage is done, you review it in person and follow progress in the client portal. Once you approve the stage, you pay the contractor for it directly; GOLDGCP never holds your money. Then the next stage begins. This follows the FTC's advice to make payments during a project depend on finished amounts of work, so payments slow down if the work does.

The client portal also keeps your records in one place: the contract, change orders, messages and a record of every payment. The FTC recommends keeping exactly those records, plus photos as the job progresses. Our payment protection page explains milestone payments and state down payment rules in more detail.

Step 8: Completion and close-out

The last milestone is the final walk-through. Before you approve it, use the FTC's sign-off checklist:

1. All work meets the standards in the contract.
2. You have written warranties for materials and workmanship.
3. You have proof that subcontractors and suppliers have been paid, such as lien releases.
4. The site is clean and cleared of leftover materials, tools and equipment.
5. You have inspected and approved the finished work, and the final permit inspection has passed.

Keep the contract, change orders, permits, photos and payment records after the job ends. They help with warranty questions, insurance claims and a future sale.

Other GOLDGCP services you may use along the way

• In-house architects for design, drawings and permit sets
• GCP Source & Ship, which handles sourcing, factory inspection, shipping, customs clearance and delivery to the jobsite for imported materials
• A windows and doors showroom
• A 24/7 emergency line for urgent repairs

GOLDGCP serves homeowners in all 50 states. To start, browse a service such as plumbing or kitchen remodeling, try the cost calculators, or request a free consultation. More about the company is on the About GOLDGCP page, and common questions are in the FAQ.