Business Directory Contractors List

California Fire Safe Council Vendor List

This free resource (made possible by vendor listing fees) connects organizations and people to innovate wildfire mitigation products and services. Each business on the list is checked for several key requirments, some pertianing to the area of service or product.

The basic criteria for selection include:

  • Current liability and workers' compensation insurance
  • Current business license
  • Screened professional references

Additional criteria includes:

  • Certification regarding debarment and suspension
  • Special business certifications
  • Experience working with local Fire Safe Councils

Further Due Diligence

Please note that the California Fire Safe Council does not endorse or certify the companies or products on this list. You are encouraged to request references and do your own due diligence prior to hiring.

Organizations utilizing public funds must follow federal or state procurement guidelines. Please follow your organization's internal procurement policies.

Living With Fire

Click on the link below to access a list of Defensible Space and Home Hardening Professionals who have taken an 8+ hour training on either Defensible Space or Home Hardening needs. 

https://www.livingwithfire.org/defensible-space-training

Some Things to Consider Before Hiring a Contractor:

  • Plan your project carefully.
  • Shop around before hiring a contractor.
  • Get at least three written bids on your project.
  • When requesting bids, provide all contractors with accurate plans or drawings that will enable them to determine the scope and cost of work.
  • Check with the…
  • …to make sure the contractor is properly licensed, and to check the status and disciplinary history of the license or certification.
    • SCL – State Licensed Contractor
      LTO – Licensed Timber Operator
      PCA – Licensed Pest Control Advisor
      RPF – Registered Professional Forester
      QAL – Qualified Applicators License
  • Check out contractors with your local building department, trade associations or unions, consumer protection agency, and the Better Business Bureau.
  • Get references for previous projects the contractor has done, and follow up on them. Look at work and ask if the homeowners were satisfied with the results.
  • Pay only 10 percent of the project price or $1,000 as a down payment, whichever is less, and make sure your contract provides for “retention.”
  • Make sure everything you and your contractor have agreed to is included in your contract, and don’t sign anything until you understand and agree with all terms.
  • Ask your contractor about inconveniences that may occur, and plan accordingly.
  • Keep a job file.
  • Take precautions to prevent mechanic’s liens from being filed against your property and ask for lien releases from subcontractors and materials suppliers.
  • Make frequent inspections of the work, including a final walk-through.
  • If problems or disagreements occur, try first to negotiate with the contractor.
  • Contractor’s License: In general, all persons or businesses constructing or altering, moving, wrecking, or demolishing any building, highway, road, parking facility, railroad, excavation or other structure, project, development or improvement must be licensed as a contractor if the total cost of labor and materials for a project is $500 or more. A license is also needed to do any work as a subcontractor or specialty contractor, and persons engaged in the business of home improvement.
Join our mailing list