Good contractor but a little sketchy

[Brad Sparks]

I've had a licensed contractor doing handyman jobs on a property. I want to use him for a full gut reno but I have some concerns:

-he doesn't have a bank account and can't get one

-if I pay him by check, he can't cash it

-he writes contracts on a lined notebook (he has nothing with his company info on it)

He professional and do good work but he's not business savvy. How have you handled this situation (besides getting another contractor)?

[Sean McDonnell]

There are certainly some red flags there. For a major remodel, you need to ensure your contractor is licensed and insured. Especially in a highly regulated state like CA, I am sure there are laws saying that contractors have to be licensed to do certain work. 

Having the contractor is important for a case where there is an accident on the work site, say the contractor falls off a ladder and injures himself. If he is properly insured, his company's insurance will cover any claims and you as the home owner will not be liable.