Our standard
We read about 1,600 public complaints about kitchen, cabinet, countertop and handyman jobs. These ten commitments answer the failures that came up most, and our partner contractor agrees to them in writing before we share a single phone number.
- Free for homeowners
- Licenses checked at CSLB
- You contract directly with your pro
A referral service is only worth something if it changes how the job goes. So instead of a badge, here's what our partner contractor has agreed to, how we check it, and what happens when someone falls short.
The ten commitments
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Licensed, bonded and insured, checked by us
Before any introduction we look up our partner contractor's license at cslb.ca.gov: active, the right classification for your job, bond current, workers' comp on file or a valid exemption, plus a certificate of liability insurance. We check again before every new introduction.
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Your information goes only to our partner contractor, with your OK
One licensed local partner contractor, named before it contacts you, and only if you approve. Never a call center or a list, and "stop" means stop.
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A small deposit, then pay as work gets done
California caps the down payment at 10% of the price or $1,000, whichever is less, and payments can't run ahead of the work. Our partner agreement requires it too: no pay-in-full, no cash-only.
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A written, itemized scope
Our partner agreement requires every task, the materials by name, what's excluded, who pulls permits, allowances for anything not chosen yet, and start and finish dates, before money changes hands.
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No surprise charges
Every change is written, priced and signed by you before the work happens. Our partner agreement says the contractor won't charge for a change you didn't sign.
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Measure, draw, approve, then cut
Cabinet layouts and countertop templates, seams and cutouts approved by you before anything is ordered or cut.
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Show up, or call ahead
Our partner agreement requires appointments confirmed the day before, 24 hours' notice of changes and calls returned within one business day. We track no-shows.
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One local person who answers, plus photo updates
A named contact at the contractor and one at our office. Owners who are away get photos at the end of every work day.
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Your home protected and left clean
Our partner agreement requires floor and counter protection, dust control, stone cut outside or with dust extraction, debris hauled away, broom-clean every day.
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Walkthrough first, written warranty after
Final payment only after a walkthrough and a finished punch list, and our partner agreement requires at least a one-year written workmanship warranty. If there's a dispute, we step in to mediate.
Why these ten
Each one answers a failure that shows up again and again in public complaints about remodels and small jobs: deposits taken and the job abandoned, “that wasn't included,” a $4,500 quote that turned into an $8,200 invoice, an island cut four inches short, estimators who never showed, and absentee owners who flew in to find nothing done. We kept only promises a referral service can actually enforce: by checking before the introduction, by writing them into the partner agreement, or by acting when you tell us one was broken.
Extra protections for seniors and their families
- No same-day signing. Estimates stay valid for at least seven days.
- If you're 65 or older and sign a home improvement contract at home, California gives you five business days to cancel (three for everyone else). Partners provide the cancellation form and honor it without fees.
- A family member or trusted adult can be copied on every message, estimate and change order.
- Nobody we introduce will knock on your door unannounced, ask for cash, or call a repair “urgent” to close a sale.
How we enforce it
- Screened before you meet them. Before we work with a contractor, we check its CSLB license and complaint history, court records for a pattern of lawsuits, judgments or liens from homeowners, and its public reviews. A pattern of disputes rules a contractor out. You can still look up any license yourself in a minute, and we encourage it.
- License and insurance, again and again. We re-verify license, bond, workers' compensation and insurance at cslb.ca.gov before every introduction and at least monthly. An insurance certificate within 30 days of expiring puts the partner on hold.
- We check in with you at the estimate, the start, the midpoint, completion and 30 days. Any “no” opens a case.
- Our partner contractor has a scorecard: response time, no-shows, change-order disputes, punch-list close time, warranty response and complaints. A contractor who disputes your feedback can't have it deleted; disputes go to mediation.
- Strikes. Missed appointments without notice, late responses and skipped photo updates earn written warnings. Three in 12 months pause new introductions.
- Immediate removal for a deposit over the legal limit, charging for unsigned changes, a lapsed license or insurance policy, abandoning a job, or misconduct with a senior.
If something goes wrong
Tell us. We collect both sides' photos, the contract and the change orders, and propose a resolution within 10 business days. The outcome goes on the partner's record. If mediation doesn't settle it, you can file a complaint with the Contractors State License Board or go to small claims court, and we'll tell you plainly which fits.
What the standard can't do
We don't do the work and we don't hold your money, so we can't guarantee another company's workmanship. What we can do is check our partner before every introduction, require written terms first, stay in the loop while the job runs, and stop referring if the standard is broken.
What goes wrong most, by project
Kitchens and countertops
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One person who answers
“Nobody calls back, and everyone blames someone else.” · 34% of kitchen complaints
Our standard: One local contractor is responsible for the whole job, and one person at our office answers if they don't.
Every project gets a named contact at the contractor and at our office, plus a shared project thread. Our partner agreement requires replies within one business day and written responsibility for subcontractors. We check in at the estimate, start, midpoint, completion and 30 days.
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Walkthrough before final payment
“It looks worse than what we tore out.” · 32% of kitchen complaints
Our standard: You don't make the final payment until you've walked the job with the contractor and the punch list is done.
We check our partner contractor's license classification for the trade before every introduction. At the end, you and the contractor walk the job with a written punch list, and the last payment waits until it's finished. Workmanship complaints go on the contractor's record with us.
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Kitchen stays usable until materials arrive
“Five months washing dishes in the bathtub.” · 29% of kitchen complaints
Our standard: Your old kitchen stays in place until the new cabinets and stone are on site and checked, unless you choose otherwise.
Your written scope includes an estimated completion date and the order of trades. Our partner agreement requires that demo waits until the cabinets, slab and appliances have been delivered and inspected. You get photo updates every work day, and payments follow milestones.
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Warranty in writing
“The lifetime warranty disappeared when the company did.” · 23% of kitchen complaints
Our standard: Our partner agreement requires at least a one-year workmanship warranty in writing, and we keep a copy.
Our partner agreement requires a written workmanship warranty of at least one year, separate from the manufacturer's, with claims acknowledged within two business days and a visit scheduled within ten. We check the contractor's CSLB record and bond and keep your documents on file.
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You get exactly what you approved
“They sold me solid wood and delivered particleboard.” · 22% of kitchen complaints
Our standard: Your contract names the exact cabinet construction, finish and stone, so you get what you approved.
The itemized scope lists the cabinet line, box material, door construction, finish, hardware and slab. Our partner agreement requires deliveries to be inspected and photographed before anything is installed. For natural stone, you see and approve the actual slab.
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Approve drawings before anything is cut
“The island came out four inches too narrow.” · 15% of kitchen complaints
Our standard: Nothing is ordered or cut until you've approved the drawings and the seam layout.
Our partner agreement requires on-site measurements, your appliance spec sheets, cabinet drawings and a countertop layout showing seams, overhangs and sink and cooktop centerlines. You sign off before anything is ordered or cut.
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Small deposit, pay as you go
“We paid in full, and then they disappeared.” · 13% of kitchen complaints
Our standard: Our partner contractor never asks for more than 10% or $1,000 down, as California law requires. You pay as work is completed.
California caps home-improvement down payments at 10% or $1,000, whichever is less, and payments can't run ahead of completed work. Our partner agreement repeats that rule, and we review the payment schedule before you sign. We verify the license and bond at cslb.ca.gov first.
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They show up, or they call
“They cancelled the install the morning of, again.” · 12% of kitchen complaints
Our standard: Our partner agreement requires every appointment to be confirmed the day before, and we track every missed one.
Our partner agreement requires day-before confirmations and at least 24 hours' notice of changes except in real emergencies. We log no-shows, and repeated no-shows end the partnership.
From about 1,600 public complaints (BBB, Yelp, CSLB) about kitchen and cabinet work that we read in 2026. How we counted
Cabinets
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No sign-tonight pricing
“Thirty percent off, but only if we sign tonight.” · 12% of cabinet complaints
Our standard: Nobody we refer will pressure you to sign the same day. Estimates stay valid for at least seven days.
Our partner agreement rules out same-day-only pricing and requires honoring the 3-day right to cancel (5 days for 65+). We flag financing that pays the company before the work is done.
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Honest reface, paint or replace advice
“We paid replacement prices for refacing.” · Recurring in refacing complaints
Our standard: We'll tell you honestly whether painting, refacing or replacing fits your cabinets and budget.
Before any introduction, we ask about the cabinet boxes' condition and your goals, and our partner contractor can price painting, refacing and replacing, each in writing.
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Construction spelled out
“Sold as solid wood, delivered as particleboard.” · 21% of cabinet complaints (defects)
Our standard: Your contract names the box material, door construction and finish.
The itemized scope lists the cabinet line, box material, door style and construction, finish type, and hinges and slides. Our partner agreement requires deliveries to be photographed and inspected before installation.
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Drawings you approve
“The microwave didn't fit the cabinet built for it.” · 19% of cabinet complaints
Our standard: Cabinets aren't ordered until you've approved drawings based on on-site measurements and your appliance specs.
Our partner agreement requires field measurements, your appliance spec sheets, and a layout and elevations you sign before anything is ordered.
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Realistic lead times
“Cabinets quoted at five weeks took five months.” · 31% of cabinet complaints
Our standard: You'll get a realistic lead time in writing, and demo waits until the cabinets are here.
Our partner agreement requires manufacturer lead times in writing, cabinets inspected on delivery, and no tear-out until they've arrived. You get updates whenever a date changes.
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Warranty you can use
“The door peeled and the company was already closed.” · 24% of cabinet complaints
Our standard: You get the manufacturer's warranty and a written workmanship warranty, and we keep copies.
Our partner agreement requires at least a one-year written workmanship warranty and manufacturer warranties registered in your name. We keep your documents on file.
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Inspected before installed
“Every replacement door arrived damaged too.” · Recurring in retail and RTA complaints
Our standard: Every box is inspected on delivery, so damage is caught before installation, not after.
Our partner agreement requires deliveries to be opened, checked and photographed. Damaged pieces are reordered right away, and your schedule is updated in writing.
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One point person
“I was passed between five reps for one drawer.” · 42% of cabinet complaints (communication)
Our standard: One person handles your cabinet project from measure to final walkthrough.
Each job has one named contact at the contractor and one at our office. Our partner agreement requires messages returned within one business day.
From about 1,600 public complaints (BBB, Yelp, CSLB) about kitchen and cabinet work that we read in 2026. How we counted
Handyman and small jobs
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Price approved before work starts
“A $300 quote turned into a $1,495 bill.” · 29% of handyman complaints
Our standard: You approve the price before work starts. Anything extra is approved by you first.
Send photos of the job and you'll get a written price or a not-to-exceed amount before anyone arrives. Trip fees, minimums and materials costs are disclosed up front. Extra work is quoted and approved by text before it's done.
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A real person answers
“I called five times and nobody called back.” · 27% of handyman complaints
Our standard: A real local person answers, and we chase the contractor so you don't have to.
Our office is your single number. Our partner agreement requires a reply within one business day. If the contractor goes quiet, we follow up and reschedule for you.
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On time, or a call ahead
“Took a day off work and nobody came.” · 26% of handyman complaints
Our standard: Your appointment is confirmed the day before, and if anything changes, you'll hear from a person.
We bundle small tasks into a worthwhile visit so your job doesn't get bumped for a bigger one. Our partner agreement requires day-before confirmation, a two-hour arrival window and 24 hours' notice of changes. No-shows are tracked.
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Right trade for the task
“He fixed it Tuesday, and it was leaking again Friday.” · 25% of handyman complaints
Our standard: We check the job fits our partner contractor's license, and the job isn't done until you've seen it working.
We check each task against our partner contractor's license classifications, not just 'handyman.' If a task needs a trade the contractor isn't licensed for, we tell you so. Before you pay, the contractor shows you each task working, with photos, from leak checks to fan vents to level mounts.
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Pay when it's done
“I paid the deposit and never saw him again.” · 16% of handyman complaints
Our standard: For small jobs, you pay when the work is done.
Small handyman jobs are paid on completion. Larger work follows California's 10% or $1,000 down-payment cap, with progress payments that never run ahead of the work. No cash or Zelle to personal accounts.
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Done means you say it's done
“He marked it complete after two hours, half finished.” · 12% of handyman complaints
Our standard: A job is complete when you say it is.
Each task on your list is checked off with a photo, and you confirm completion before payment. The contractor can't close the job on its own.
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Real insurance, not app fine print
“He broke it, and the guarantee covered almost nothing.” · 12% of handyman complaints
Our standard: Our partner contractor carries its own liability insurance, and we've seen the certificate.
Our partner contractor carries general liability insurance under its own name, and we keep the certificate on file and track its expiration. Our partner agreement requires any damage to be photographed and reported to you the same day; the contractor's insurer handles it. You're not left with a capped platform guarantee.
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Fixes to their own work are free
“He came back to fix his mistake and billed me again.” · 13% of handyman complaints
Our standard: If our partner contractor's work fails, it fixes it at no charge.
Our partner agreement requires a written workmanship warranty and no charge for correcting the contractor's own work. Warranty calls are acknowledged within two business days.
From about 770 public complaints (BBB, Yelp, CSLB) about handyman and small-job services that we read in 2026. How we counted
Second homes and rentals
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Daily photo updates
“I flew in three times and nothing was done.” · Top fear of absentee owners
Our standard: See your project every day it's being worked on, without flying in.
Our partner agreement requires end-of-day photo updates on every work day for absentee owners, through a shared project thread, plus a weekly summary of what was done, what's next and any decisions needed.
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Problems reported the same day
“Nobody told me about the leak for weeks.” · 45% of absentee-owner complaints involve oversight
Our standard: If our partner contractor finds a problem at your home, you hear about it the same day, with photos.
Our partner agreement requires any damage, leak or surprise condition to be reported to you and to us the same day, with photos and a recommendation. Nothing is hidden until your next visit.
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Proof before payment
“I was billed for work that was never done.” · 45% of absentee-owner complaints involve billing
Our standard: Every invoice comes with before and after photos of the work.
Our partner agreement requires dated before and after photos with every invoice line. You pay only for work you can see was done.
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Keys and access handled safely
“A stranger had my lockbox code and things went missing.” · 20% of absentee-owner complaints involve theft or conduct
Our standard: You'll know exactly who enters your home, and when.
Our partner agreement requires named workers only, agreed access hours, lockbox or smart-lock codes changed after the job, and no subcontractors you haven't been told about.
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Scheduled around your rental calendar
“A no-show cost me three nights of bookings.” · Recurring among STR hosts
Our standard: Work is scheduled around your blocked rental dates, and turnover deadlines go in the scope.
We collect your blocked dates at intake. Our partner agreement requires start and finish dates that fit them, with day-before confirmations.
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Built for a closed-up summer house
“The cabinet finish cracked while we were away.” · Recurring in second-home complaints
Our standard: We'll steer you to materials that hold up in a hot, closed-up desert home.
Our partner contractor discusses heat tolerance for cabinet finishes, adhesives and stone sealers, and documents care instructions for homes left closed in summer.
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One local point of contact
“My manager farmed repairs out to random apps.” · Recurring in STR-manager complaints
Our standard: One local contractor and one person at our office, not an answering service.
Your project has a named local contact at the contractor and at our office. We don't pass your job on to gig apps.
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Pay as work is verified
“I paid nearly the full price on a job that wasn't finished.” · Recurring in absentee kitchen complaints
Our standard: Payments follow completed, photographed milestones, never ahead of the work.
California caps down payments at 10% or $1,000, whichever is less. Progress payments follow milestones you can verify by photo, and the final payment follows a walkthrough, in person or by video.
From about 1,600 public complaints (BBB, Yelp, CSLB) about kitchen and cabinet work that we read in 2026. How we counted
Common questions
Do you guarantee the contractor's work?
We don't do the work, so we can't guarantee it. We check our partner contractor before every introduction, require a written scope and at least a one-year written workmanship warranty, mediate disputes, and stop referring if the standard is broken.
What happens if a contractor breaks the standard?
It depends on what was broken. A no-show without notice earns a written warning, and three warnings in 12 months pause new introductions. A deposit over the legal limit, charging for unsigned changes, a lapsed license or insurance policy, or abandoning a job means immediate removal.
How much can a contractor ask for up front?
In California, a contractor can collect no more than $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less, as a down payment. Progress payments can't run ahead of the work done and materials delivered.
Can my son or daughter be copied on everything?
Yes. Tell us who, and every message, estimate and change order goes to them as well. It's part of the standard for every homeowner, not only seniors.
Last reviewed . Prices and rules change; confirm details with your contractor and your city or county building department.