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a design within that budget and see who gives you the most bang for your buck. Either way works for me.

So let's say you have your design in hand and several companies have given you bids to complete it. What next? You have already completed the important first step: Get competitive bids. Make absolutely sure that every company has included every detail that you want in your project. If you started with drawings and specification sheets, all the bids should cover the same details. If any of the companies have suggestions about making changes to your plan, ask them to bid the project as is and include the changes as separate line items. That way, you can compare apples to apples. If you are flexible and willing to entertain some changes, you may get a better project for little or no extra cost. Remember, remodeling contractors do this sort of work every day, so take advantage of their experience. Along with their bids, you need confirmation of liability insurance, workers compensation insurance and a current contractor's license and bond. These last two can be verified online at www.cslb.ca.gov. You can look up the license number, the contractor's name or the name of the company. The insurance verification needs to come directly from their agent, either by mail or fax.

Part Two: The Contract

OK, you finally decide on a company because of the glowing references, their clean record and a solid bid that included some great ideas that had not even occurred to you. What next? The contract (hence the title Contractor). There are a great many details that are required to be in a legal home improvement contract. The Contractors State License Board web site (www.cslb.ca.gov) can give you all of the details, but the more important items would be:

1. Contractor's name, company name, address, phone number and license number
2. The total dollar amount of the project, down payment and progress payment schedule (Note: Down payment may not be more than 10% or $1,000, whichever is LESS)
3. Anticipated starting and ending dates
4. Details of the project
5. Notice to owner informing you of the Mechanic's Lien Law
6. Notice that you have three business days to cancel the contract without penalty
7. Name and registration number of salesperson, if the contractor did not sell the project
8. Signatures of both parties
9. Make sure you get copies of EVERYTHING you sign. It is required by law.

The details of your project should be very specific. For example; if you are getting new cabinets, wood

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