The 7-point standard

How We Verify ADU Builders

Every builder listed on VerifiedADU is checked against the 7-point verification standard before listing, then monitored continuously. Every point has documentable proof — either a CSLB public record or documentation on file. This page explains exactly what gets checked, what each check protects you from, and what the verification does not cover.

The 7-Point Verification StandardEach check sourced from CSLB or documentation on file

Active CSLB License

Each contractor’s license is confirmed as current with the California Contractors State License Board — not expired, suspended, or revoked — with a classification appropriate for ADU work (most commonly Class B, General Building).

What this means for you: The contractor is legally permitted to build in California. An expired or revoked license is a hard stop — no homeowner should hire an unlicensed builder for a project this size.

Contractor Bond on File

California law requires licensed contractors to carry a surety bond (typically $25,000 for most classifications). Bond status is verified against CSLB records before listing and rechecked every 12 hours.

What this means for you: A limited financial safety net if the contractor commits specific license violations. It is not a full insurance policy, but it is a required floor that unlicensed operators can’t clear.

Workers’ Compensation Verified

Workers’ compensation status is confirmed through CSLB — active policy or valid sole-proprietor exemption on file. Both are valid under California law, and the exemption is noted on the builder’s listing.

What this means for you: If a worker is injured on your property, the burden doesn’t fall on you. A missing or expired workers’ comp filing is a serious liability risk — any lapse triggers immediate removal.

Complaint History Clean

Every builder’s CSLB complaint and disciplinary record is reviewed before listing. Contractors with unresolved complaints, active citations, or recent disciplinary actions are not listed. New complaints filed after listing trigger a manual review and may lead to removal.

What this means for you: You start from a clean public record — no pending state action against the contractor at the time of listing.

Suspicious License Name Changes

Contractors whose CSLB license shows recent name changes or personnel swaps are flagged for manual review — a pattern commonly used to distance a business from past complaints, disciplinary actions, or a failed prior entity. A name change alone isn’t disqualifying, but it triggers a review before listing.

You’re not unknowingly hiring a contractor who rebranded to escape a bad record. If the license history shows a name change, the license history is investigated — what they were before, and why they changed.

Minimum 2 Years Licensed

The original license issue date is pulled from CSLB. A minimum of 2 years of licensed history is required before a builder is eligible to list. Newly formed entities without a track record are not eligible, regardless of the operator’s prior experience.

A record long enough to actually verify. Not a guarantee — but the single best filter against the fly-by-night pattern: Multitaskr, Nonna Homes, and Anchored Tiny Homes all collapsed inside their first few years of licensure.

Proof of ADU Work Verified

Documented evidence of actual completed ADU projects is required before listing — not a claim on a website, not a promise. This includes verifiable project photos, permit records, or documented client references specific to ADU construction.

The contractor has actually built ADUs, not just listed it as a service. A general contractor with a B license can legally take on an ADU, but that doesn’t mean they’ve ever done one.

What We Can and Can’t See

VerifiedADU verifies every builder against active CSLB public records — license status, bond, workers’ compensation, visible complaint history, license issue date, and license name history — plus documented proof of completed ADU work. That’s more than any other ADU directory checks.

But it’s not the complete picture.

California’s CSLB does not make all complaints public. Between 2020 and 2024, CSLB closed over 10,700 complaints without investigation. Complaints settled privately or closed without investigation may not appear in our data or in CSLB’s own database.

Verification covers what CSLB public records show and what insurance carriers document. Homeowners should also check Google reviews, BBB records, and ask contractors for references before signing any contract.

Frequently asked questions

How quickly do you catch changes in license status?

Automated checks run every 12 hours. CSLB data may have its own processing delays, so there may be a short window between a status change at CSLB and its reflection on our site. If you are aware of a status change we have not yet reflected, contact us at [email protected].

What does “workers’ comp exempt” mean?

Under California law, sole proprietors with no employees may file an exemption from workers’ compensation insurance requirements. This is a legal filing with the CSLB and does not indicate a problem with the contractor’s license.

Why flag a license name change?

License name changes are a recurring pattern in California ADU collapses — operators rebrand or swap personnel to distance the business from past complaints or disciplinary actions. The change itself isn’t disqualifying, but it triggers a manual review before listing.

Why require 2 years licensed?

With less than two years of licensed history, there is no meaningful CSLB record to verify — no complaint data, no enforcement actions, no track record. It is also the pattern that produced the largest California ADU collapses: Multitaskr, Nonna Homes, and Anchored Tiny Homes all failed inside their first few years. A two-year minimum is the shortest window that lets us actually check something.

Can I report a problem with a listed builder?

Yes. Email [email protected] with the builder name, your concern, and any documentation. All reports are reviewed, and listings are updated or removed when warranted. You can also file a complaint directly with CSLB at cslb.ca.gov.

VerifiedADU is an independent directory service. VerifiedADU is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) or any government agency. Verification data is sourced from publicly available CSLB records and insurance certificates provided by listed builders, and may not reflect real-time changes. Use this site for informational purposes only.