Not everyone foregoes home improvement projects in a down economy, particularly in afluent areas like Woodland Hills. People are still taking care of things, such as a leaky roof, when needed.

Unfortunately during down times, contractors trying to compete can lower prices to previously incomprehensible levels. Remember: if it appears too good to be true, it probably is.

A major problem with ultra-low pricing is it can lead to the temptation to cut corners. Government permits that are required for significant home improvement projects come with fees, which a contractor with a low-price job might ignore.

You don’t want a project without proper permits - see for example our factsheet on Agoura Hills roofing projects. You also should ensure your contractor is fully licensed and bonded.

Information about contractors is easy to find. A valuable resource is the Contractors State License Board website, where you can learn if a potential contractor is licensed, and also view media releases on sting investigations.

Some of the media releases on the site are rather alarming. Recently the Board released information about arrests from a sting around the recent Southern California wildfires. The operation targeted illegal operators advertising for construction work in the fire zone.

Two people were arrested, and eight other cases were sent to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for potential prosecution. Some face felony charges.

Suspects were targeted if they left business cards and flyers in the fire zone, or placed newspaper ads. The Contractors State License Board protects consumers by licensing and regulating California's construction industry.

There are more than 316,000 licensed contractors in the state, in 43 different licensing classifications.

Today you can still get a good deal on a home improvement project, by a licensed contractor that also offers peace of mind because they are bonded, in case there are damages from the project.

Another source is the Better Business Bureau. The Bureau is dedicated to nurturing fair and honest relationships between businesses and consumers. You can tap it to see if any complaints were filed against a particular contractor.

There are other sources, too, such as checking court records for liens or lawsuits.

The Contractors State License Board offers general tips on what to look for to detect potential problems with a contractor. These include:

• Hire only licensed contractors; ask to see the license.
• Don’t hire the first contractor who comes along.
• Don’t rush into repairs, no matter how badly needed.
• Don’t pay more than 10 percent or $1,000, whichever is less, as a down payment.
• Don’t pay in cash, and don’t let the payments get ahead of the work.
• Get three bids, check references, and get a written contract.

Other things to look for are contractors soliciting door-to-door, offering unsolicited work such as painting or roofing, and reluctance to sign a written contract.

In today’s economy, it can be easy to just go with the lowest price. However remember there may be a reason for the low price, which could turn very costly in the long run. Protect yourself with a little research and have us perform a residential roofing inspection or a commercial roofing inspection.