How We Verify ADU Builders
Every builder listed on VerifiedADU is checked against public records maintained by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). This page explains exactly what we check, how often we check it, and what our verification process does not cover.
CSLB License Status
We confirm the contractor holds an active license with the California Contractors State License Board. The license must be current — not expired, suspended, or revoked.
We also verify the license classification is appropriate for ADU construction. Most ADU builders hold a Class B (General Building) license, though some may hold specialty classifications depending on the scope of work they perform.
Contractor Bond
California law requires licensed contractors to maintain a surety bond (typically $25,000 for most license classifications). The bond provides a limited financial safety net for consumers in cases of contractor violations. We verify that bond coverage is on file with the CSLB for every listed builder.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
We confirm the contractor carries workers’ compensation insurance or has filed a legal exemption with the CSLB.
Under California law, sole proprietors with no employees may file an exemption from workers’ comp requirements. This is a valid legal status, not a red flag. Contractors with this exemption are listed on VerifiedADU with their exemption status noted.
Complaint and Disciplinary History
We review the CSLB complaint and disciplinary record for every builder before they are listed. Contractors with unresolved complaints, active citations, or disciplinary actions on their record are not listed on VerifiedADU. If a listed builder receives a complaint or disciplinary action after being listed, their listing will be reviewed and may be suspended or removed.
Automated Removal
Verification does not stop after a builder is listed. Every license in our directory is rechecked against CSLB records every 12 hours through an automated system.
If a license status changes to revoked or suspended, the builder is removed from the directory immediately. No manual review, no delay.
If a license status changes to expired, the builder enters a 30-day watch period. Licenses sometimes lapse briefly during routine renewals. If the license is still expired after 30 days, the builder is removed.
Every removal is logged with the contractor name, license number, reason, and date. That log is published at /removed-builders/ so anyone can see which builders were removed and why. The site owner is notified by email on every removal.
Builders can also be removed manually if we receive a credible report or identify an issue outside of CSLB status changes.
What We Can and Can’t See
VerifiedADU verifies every builder against active CSLB public records — license status, bond, workers’ compensation, and visible complaint history. This is 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.
We verify what the public record shows. We recommend homeowners also check Google reviews, BBB records, and ask contractors for references before signing any contract.
How quickly do you catch changes in license status?
▾We run automated checks 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.
Can I report a problem with a listed builder?
▾Yes. Email [email protected] with the builder name, your concern, and any documentation. We review all reports and will update or remove listings when warranted. You can also file a complaint directly with CSLB at cslb.ca.gov.
VerifiedADU is an independent directory service. We are 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 may not reflect real-time changes. Use this site for informational purposes only.