🛠️ Hiring a Licensed Contractor in California: What Homeowners Need to Know

Stay Informed - Be sure to hire a licensed contractor for any jobs over $500

🛠️ Hiring a Licensed Contractor in California: What Homeowners Need to Know

Thinking about upgrading your driveway or creating a backyard oasis? 🏡 In California, hiring the right contractor can make all the difference—not just for quality work, but also for your legal protection.

Here’s what every homeowner should know before signing a contract.

✅ Why You Should Hire a Licensed Contractor

In California, any job over $500 in labor and materials requires a licensed contractor, according to the Contractors State License Board (CSLB).

Key Benefits:

• Legal protection: Licensed contractors are held to strict legal and professional standards.

• Insurance coverage: Licensed contractors must carry workers’ compensation (if they have employees) and often general liability insurance.

• Permits & inspections: They’re familiar with local building codes and can pull the right permits for your project.

🕵️ How to Verify a Contractor's License

Always check before you hire.

1. Visit the CSLB: CSLB License Check Tool

2. Enter the contractor’s license number, name, or business name

3. Review their:

   • License status (active, expired, suspended)

   • Classification (e.g. B – General Building Contractor)

   • Bond and insurance info

   • Complaint history (if any)

⚠️ Red Flags to Watch Out For

Avoid unlicensed contractors or deals that sound too good to be true. Common red flags include:

• No written contract

• Asking for large cash payments upfront

• Refusal to provide a license number

• Pushing you to skip permits

👉 In California, it’s illegal for a contractor to ask for more than 10% down or $1,000, whichever is less.

📄 What Should Be in the Contract?

A clear, written contract protects both parties. It should include:

• Contractor’s license number

• Scope of work

• Payment schedule

• Timeline & deadlines

• Materials to be used

• Change order process

• Warranty info

🏡 Final Thoughts

Hiring a licensed contractor in California isn’t just about following the law—it’s about protecting your home, your money, and your peace of mind. Take the time to research, verify, and sign a solid contract before any work begins.

Contact IGL Pavers - a licensed Class A and C27 Contractor in SLO County.

📞(805) 225-5111
🌐 www.IGLPavers.com

✨ Before & After: Driveway Glow-Up!

Permeable Paver Driveway - Downtown SLO

✨ Before & After: Driveway Glow-Up!
From sand and rock to curb appeal goals 🚗✨

Watch  to see how IGL transformed this driveway into a stunning permeable paver masterpiece. With durable materials, clean lines, and a custom pattern, this upgrade adds serious charm, functionality and value to the home.

✅ Low-maintenance
✅ Long-lasting
✅ Instant wow-factor

Thinking about upgrading your driveway? This is your sign! Contact IGL today!
San Luis Obipso County
#DrivewayGoals #PaverDriveway #BeforeAndAfter #HardscapeDesign #CurbAppeal #OutdoorUpgrade #PaverTransformation #PermeablePavers #IGLPavers #HardscapeInstall #HardscapeExpert

📞(805) 225-5111
🌐 www.IGLPavers.com

IGL Announces Landscape Preservation & Management

IGL Announces Landscape Preservation & Management in 2025

🌿 IGL Announces Landscape Preservation & Management Services

At IGL Pavers, we believe great landscapes don’t end with installation—they begin there. That’s why we’re proud to announce the expansion of our services to include Landscape Preservation & Management, a comprehensive approach to keeping your outdoor spaces beautiful, healthy, and enduring year-round.

🔧 From Design to Long-Term Care

For years, IGL has been trusted to design and build some of the most striking hardscapes and outdoor environments in the region. Now, we’re taking the next step: maintaining and preserving what we’ve helped create.

Whether it’s a custom paver patio, a lush planting bed, or an elegant retaining wall, our new service ensures your investment remains as functional and attractive as the day it was completed.

🌱 What We Offer

Our Landscape Preservation & Management program includes:

• Seasonal Plant & Turf Care

• Paver Surface Cleaning & Sealing

• Weed & Pest Control Solutions

• Irrigation Monitoring & Adjustments

• Mulching, Pruning & Bed Maintenance

• Sustainable Enhancements Over Time

All services are customized to the unique layout, materials, and needs of your property.

🛠️ Proactive. Professional. Preserved.

What sets us apart? A proactive mindset. Our team monitors your landscape for early signs of wear, overgrowth, or imbalance, addressing them before they become costly issues. With a maintenance plan from IGL, your landscape evolves beautifully—not unpredictably.

📅 Now Scheduling for Seasonal Maintenance

IGL’s landscape experts are now booking maintenance plans for residential, commercial, and HOA properties. Whether you’re a past IGL client or new to our services, we’re ready to help you protect and enhance your outdoor investment.

Ready to preserve what matters?
Contact IGL today to schedule a site visit or learn more about our new offerings.

📞(805) 225-5111
🌐 www.IGLPavers.com

Meet Ian & Alexis Gaffney – CanvasRebel Magazine

CanvasRebel Ian & Alexis Gaffney article

🎨 About Ian & Alexis Gaffney

• Dynamic creative duo: they collaborate across design, outdoor spaces, and craft-based projects—blending Ian’s construction and hardscape skills (like with IGL Pavers) with Alexis’s aesthetic vision.

• Rich regional influence: rooted in the San Luis Obispo area, their work reflects local landscapes and lifestyle while appealing to broader audiences.

• Creative Intersection
  Ian and Alexis fuse technical craftsmanship with artistic design—from paver layouts and fire pits to accessorized lifestyle installations.

• Hands-On, Authentic Process
  Their story emphasizes working side by side through design planning, material selection, and on-site implementation.

• Expanding Influence
  Through CanvasRebel, they connect with visual storytellers, designers, and design-savvy homeowners, not just traditional landscape clients.

View the full article here - meet Ian & Alexis Gaffney

Elevate Your Outdoor Living with Custom Landscape Design by IGL Pavers

Your outdoor space is an extension of your home — a place to relax, entertain, and connect with nature. At IGL Pavers, we believe your landscape should be as unique as you are. That’s why we specialize in custom landscape design, tailoring every detail to fit your lifestyle, preferences, and the natural beauty of San Luis Obispo County.

Why Choose Custom Landscape Design?

A custom design transforms your yard from just “green space” into a functional, beautiful retreat. Unlike cookie-cutter solutions, a personalized landscape plan considers:

• Your daily needs and activities

• Local climate, soil, and drainage conditions

• Aesthetic preferences and style

• Sustainable and eco-friendly materials

• Long-term maintenance and durability

How IGL Pavers Creates Your Dream Landscape

Our process is collaborative and transparent, ensuring you’re involved every step of the way:

1. Consultation & Visioning
   We start by listening — learning what inspires you, how you use your outdoor space, and what challenges your property has.

2. Site Analysis & Planning
   Our experts assess your terrain, soil, drainage, and microclimate to design solutions that work harmoniously with nature.

3. Design Development
   Using 3D modeling and sketches, we create detailed plans for hardscapes (pavers, retaining walls, patios) and softscapes (plants, turf, water features).

4. Material Selection
   We help you choose durable, high-quality materials like interlocking pavers, natural stone, and sustainable plants to ensure longevity and beauty.

5. Professional Installation
   Our ICPI and Allan Block certified team brings the design to life with precision, craftsmanship, and attention to detail.

6. Follow-up & Support
   We provide guidance on maintenance and are here for any future enhancements or repairs.

Signature Services That Complement Your Custom Landscape

• Interlocking & Permeable Pavers: For stylish, durable patios and driveways that manage water runoff naturally.

• Water Features & Fire Pits: Add ambiance and relaxation to your outdoor living areas.

• Outdoor Kitchens & Lighting: Perfect for entertaining any time of day or night.

• Retaining Walls & Grading: Solve elevation challenges and create usable space.

A Landscape Designed Just for You

Our clients consistently praise the way IGL Pavers combines creativity with technical expertise, delivering landscapes that feel natural, personalized, and built to last. Whether you want a quiet garden nook or a vibrant outdoor entertaining area, our custom designs turn your vision into reality.

Ready to Start Your Custom Landscape Journey?

Let’s create an outdoor space that’s truly yours. Contact IGL Pavers today for a free consultation and see how our custom landscape design can elevate your home and lifestyle. Click our CONTACT form above to contact IGL today!