San Diego Outdoor Living Contractor Verification Checklist (2026): License, Insurance, Permits & Proof
Updated January 2026 – San Diego County
Before you hire any outdoor living or landscape contractor in San Diego, you should be able to independently verify their license, insurance, permit responsibility, subcontractors, and installation quality.
This page is a neutral, step-by-step contractor verification checklist. It works whether you hire INSTALL-IT-DIRECT or another company. Use it to confirm facts, not promises.
- CSLB license status and correct classifications
- Current insurance COIs (liability + workers’ comp)
- Clear permit and inspection responsibility
- Licensed, insured subcontractors for trade work
- Line-item quote with defined scope
- QA photo proof of subsurface work before cover-up
- Closeout package before final payment
How to Verify Any Outdoor Living Contractor in San Diego
1) CSLB License (Non-Negotiable)
Verify the contractor’s license directly on the CSLB website. Confirm:
- Status is Active
- Business name matches the contract
- Classifications match the work being performed
- Bond and workers’ comp are current
How to Verify a CSLB License (Step-by-Step)
2) Insurance COIs (Read Them, Don’t Just “Get Them”)
Request current certificates of insurance and confirm the insured name matches the CSLB entity.
How to Read and Verify Contractor Insurance COIs
3) Permits & Inspections
A legitimate contractor can tell you:
- Which permits apply (if any)
- Who pulls them
- What inspections occur
- How you verify final sign-off
San Diego Outdoor Living Permits & Inspections Guide
4) Subcontractors
Electrical, gas, masonry, and specialty systems should be handled by licensed, insured subs.
5) QA Photo Proof
Demand photo documentation of base prep, drainage, utilities, and structural work before it’s buried.
6) Closeout Package
Before final payment, receive warranties, permit finals (if applicable), and lien releases.
Example: INSTALL-IT-DIRECT Verification Packet
Below is an example of what a fully verified contractor provides. Use the same checklist to evaluate any company.
- CSLB License #947643 (active)
- Current liability and workers’ comp COIs
- Written permit responsibility by scope
- Licensed subs for electrical, gas, and masonry
- Live QA photo documentation during the build
- Closeout packet prior to final payment
This section is illustrative—not exclusive. The checklist above applies to any contractor.
Compare Bids Without Guessing
Use these tools to force apples-to-apples comparisons:
FAQs
Is this checklist only for INSTALL-IT-DIRECT?
No. It’s designed to verify any outdoor living contractor in San Diego.
What’s the fastest way to spot a risky contractor?
If they resist providing CSLB info, insurance COIs, or QA photo proof—walk away.
Can you review my bids using this checklist?
Yes. A quick bid review often reveals missing scope or compliance issues.