✨ It Feels Good to Be Back: Choosing the Right Contractor Matters More Than Ever

It feels so good to be back on BuildHER’s Blueprint. Life has been a beautiful whirlwind — in the best way. As the Owner and CEO of Johnson Built, a veteran-owned, minority-owned, woman-owned construction company, I’m blessed to say we’ve been busy.

We are currently wrapping up a full middle school build-out in Moreno Valley, California, and completing several projects along the way — room additions, kitchens, bathrooms, and custom ADUs. It has been a season of growth, learning, and leveling up. And with all that happening, it feels like the perfect time to jump back in and remind my community of something important as we head into the holiday project-planning season:

🛠️ What to Look for in a Contractor — Beyond the Price Tag

Let’s be real:A low price is tempting.But in construction, cheap can get very expensive very fast.

Before you hire anyone, here’s what you need to remember:

1. In California, Your Contractor MUST Be Licensed, Bonded, and Insured

Not “should be.”

Not “hopefully.”

Must.

If someone is unlicensed, they cannot legally:

• Pull permits

• Carry a bond

• Qualify for general liability insurance

• Protect you from negligence, malpractice, or unfinished work

When I applied for my own contractor’s license, the first thing they required was proof of my bond before my application could even be submitted for underwriting.That’s how serious it is.

A business license is NOT a contractor’s license.A business license simply lets them do business in the city.A contractor’s license allows them to build — those two things are not interchangeable.

2. Don’t Be Fooled by Pretty Pictures

A cute Instagram page is not a credential.Before you trust someone with your home:

• Ask to see photos of them actually doing the work, not just before-and-after shots

• Ask if they can tour you through an active jobsite

• Ask to speak with current or recent clients

• Ask about their process, not just their price

Any reputable contractor should be able to confidently connect you with their clients and show you real projects that are in progress — dust, noise, chaos and all. That’s where the truth lives.

3. Remember the Construction Rule: “Good, Fast, Cheap — Pick Two.”

Here’s the honest breakdown:

• If it’s cheap and fast, it won’t be good.

• If it’s good and fast, it won’t be cheap.

• If it’s good and cheap, it won’t be fast.

This rule has never lied.

When someone gives you the lowest price by a long shot, ask yourself what corners are being cut… because trust me, corners will be cut.

4. Do Your Due Diligence — Especially During the Holidays

The holidays are the season when a lot of homeowners start planning remodels for the coming year. It’s also when people get caught slipping because they’re busy, distracted, or trusting the wrong person with the right intentions.

My encouragement to you this season is simple:Protect your home. Protect your investment. Protect your peace.

Do the research.Check the license.Confirm the insurance.Ask questions. Read reviews.And don’t let the “gift of gab” talk you into a contract that will become a headache.

✨ Here’s to Smart Choices and Strong Foundations

As I step back into this blog space — refreshed, focused, and ready — I’m committed to making BuildHER’s Blueprint a place where homeowners can learn, grow, and make empowered decisions.

If you want topics on ADUs, remodels, school buildouts, or behind-the-scenes lessons from running a Black woman–owned construction company, let me know. I’ve got stories for days.

It feels good to be back, sis.Let’s build smart, build strong, and build together. 💛🖤⚒️