As you will see in your bid, my proposal format meets every requirement of Contractor's License Law, and exceeds those requirements in its clarity and precise descriptions.
As recent TV programs depicting unlicensed contractors getting arrested demonstrate, many so-called contractors are both unqualified and not in conformance with the stringent requirements set forth in the law (and some are just outright dishonest).
Back in 1989, I first submitted my entire reference/information packet and contract documents package to the Legal Action  Deputy of the Contractor's State License Board, Merle Vandruff, for opinions and suggestions. He felt it was the clearest, most informative, and complete presentation he had ever seen (see the first 2 letters in the Reference section).
Subsequently, the Contractor's Board completely revised their consumer information pamphlet. Their pamphlet, which I have reprinted in its entirety for you (in the Board Info section), now follows nearly item for item the recommendations in my original format and presentation.
I have undertaken this unusual effort to inform you because
I feel you deserve the clearest and most informative presentation possible in order to make your important decision, one which will put you in a serious relationship with a stranger for several days at the minimum, possibly for weeks or months.

I have invested hundreds of hours preparing this information packet, and will have several more preparing your bid.
Please invest less than 20 minutes reading this information for your long-term benefit.
If you can't read everything (although I strongly advise you do), read Pricing, Too Good to be True, and A Little Background, then skip to the first 4 letters in the References section.

This reference and information packet is the first link in understanding how my crew and I are committed to your satisfaction. I sincerely hope it allows you to act intelligently, make an EFFECTIVE choice, and help us BOTH enjoy both the process and final product.
Interestingly, in large commercial work, it is the QUALIFIED bid that is selected, not just the lowest priced one. There is MUCH more to selecting the bid than the price. For example, we were the #2 bidder on a large County bid. But we ended up in #1 position on that $4M job after the low bidder bailed on the project during construction of his prototype (we had warned the agency they would be calling us). We came in with ideas ahead of everyone else, helped them rewrite the specs realistically, and demonstrated our perseverance BEFORE even getting the job. Tenacity, ingenuity, financial capability, experience, flexibility, ability to work with architects, etc. all play important roles in the final product AND process. Large commercial projects have a LOT to lose, and therefore their selections aren't so swayed by low-ball pricing, since they know the consequences are enormous. Homeowners are much more naive, and are often victimized by this naiveté. I'm doing everything possible to give you the tools to make informed choices.
Choose the EFFECTIVE, QUALIFIED bid.
As a means of comparing construction experience, you might note that very recent license numbers are in the 800000 range, while mine is 482257 (issued in 1985).
This widely acclaimed information package represents just one aspect of my continuing effort to provide superior service.

TABLE OF CONTENTS for this three-part package:

This 11-page letter (reading time: about 8 minutes) containing these sections.
You can click on each section name to go directly to that section Use your back button to return to this list.
 
Current schedule
Pricing
Other bids
Comparing bids
Too good to be true
Choosing your contractor
An Overview of Contracting
Some Cautions from the Contractor's Board
Unlicensed contractors, the courts, and you
Arbitration
Insurance, Worker's Comp, and Bonds
Financing
Recent work references

17 pages of Contractor's Board information including 2 disclosures (about 5 minutes)

A sampling of letters of recommendation (about 7 minutes) spanning the period of 1986-2003

Current schedule
I have the manpower to attend to you on about 5 days notice.
If you need to wait longer to commence that's fine.

Pricing
I know you want to get as much accomplished as possible from your investment, so I'll price your work as closely as I can, at what I feel is a reasonable 20% net profit, and very importantly, with sufficient budget to insure you'll receive the prompt, quality work we're known for. Labor, materials, and overhead account for 80% of the cost of a project.
In my experience, there is no single factor more responsible for problems on a job than an insufficient budget (with changes a close second, which invariably affect the budget). Too-low pricing usually leads to extended working periods (understaffing in an attempt to save money). This creates a lose-lose situation for everyone.
I can not caution you strongly enough to be mindful of this important aspect of your project. Again, this is home surgery, not just comparing prices on televisions. All surgeons are not equal (and frankly, neither are televisions). There is a wonderful sign in my dentist's office, "Beware of bargains on the following: Parachutes, life preservers, fire extinguishers, brain surgery, and dental care."
And to that I would add, Home Surgery.
This is not a backhanded way of preparing you for a high bid.
To the contrary, I usually find I am about in the middle in terms of pricing.
My attention to detail is one of the hallmarks of my reputation, and I find it serves everyone better when you are presented your proposal in the clearest possible detail (no surprises).
I use a room-by-room and line item format to show you where every penny is going.
 

Other bids
It's my experience that bids significantly lower than ours (10% lower or more) have produced problems for the customer for two major reasons:
1-there usually isn't sufficient budget/profit to motivate low bidders to finish their work properly, and
2-low bidders usually overlook some aspect of the work (you then get charged for "surprise extras" or get abandoned).

I KNOW you want a satisfying finished product, AND as pleasant a process as possible (quick, professional, friendly).
So do I.

Comparing bids
Be aware that minor differences in price can often mean major differences in service.
I operate on a 20% net profit margin. Anyone bidding 10% or more lower is likely making no profit, and that is VERY dangerous to you.
It's VERY important to compare bids on an item by item basis, which is why I use a line item format. You don't want someone skimping on material quality or technique just to achieve a low-ball price.
I WANT you to know where every penny of your investment is going.
If it isn't meticulously spelled out in the contract, you're probably not getting it. I've repeatedly seen that lower bids don't provide the same quality and quantity of service.
It's true: there's no free lunch.

Too good to be true
There will always be someone who can quote a job cheaper, but at some point the absence of a reasonable profit margin endangers the owner. As a neighbor commented to me recently after taking a lower bid: "We're kicking ourselves for not using you. We thought we could save money with his lower bid, but now we realize you were right about what was required to do the job properly. We've had this other guy out three times already to try to get it fixed, and my husband is just sick about it. We'll trust you next time."

It hurts me to see people get trouble instead of a rewarding product. 

Choosing your contractor
Some people are uncomfortable when having to choose between contractors, and simply ignore phone calls, etc.
It costs me about $300 to prepare a bid. I will have a minimum of 3 hours of diligent effort invested in just preparing your initial bid figures.
Yet, while I know I won't build everything I bid, I sincerely want you to get what you desire. This will likely not be the last construction work you or your friends ever do.

I'm an LA native and I'm here for the long run.

BIG TIME CAUTION: Should you be seriously considering another bid, please permit me to examine it with you to make sure you're getting all the work you've requested. It's our attention to function and detail which sets us apart. Once the basic architecture is in place, it's the execution of the details that makes the difference in the final job.
I have yet to find in these comparisons anyone else who can provide the same attentive service, detailed product, innovation, and follow-up for you at a lower price. I'm doing EVERYTHING I can to inform and guide you to an effective choice. Please afford me the respect of being consulted for your decision. If I can't match a lower price safely (if that becomes your final consideration), I'll tell you and step aside. I don't want to be put in a position of trouble, either! Sadly, about half the bids we don't get eventually report to me they were dissatisfied with their product or process.
I've seen this scenario HUNDREDS of times. You'll only do this a few times in your whole life.
I'm willing to go this extra distance to insure we're both going to be satisfied. I want the work, I can DO the work, and I'll do whatever is safe price-wise to get the work.

An Overview of Contracting
The field of contracting, like many other professions, has its share of dishonest, unreliable, and unqualified participants (check for those recent license #).
Many people are confused, annoyed, not to mention downright frightened, about making the selection of a contractor.

We at Dick Wagner Construction strive to deliver what we promise, and our letters of recommendation repeatedly validate our stated aim: HONEST, QUALITY WORK AT FAIR PRICES.

We did not learn our numerous quality construction procedures overnight. It's not reasonable to think an unlicensed worker, recent licensee, or low-ball bidder could possibly have the necessary trade qualifications/experience, as well as insurances and bonding to protect you, the customer.

As in the case of my neighbor, I have too often been called in to correct work left undone by contractors who underbid the scope of work and then abandoned jobs, leaving the owner without funds or a livable/presentable product.

Some Cautions from the Contractor's Board, and Arbitration
There are very strict restrictions per section 7159 of the Contractors License Law as to the amount of money that can be given at the signing of a contract, as well as exacting time schedules, forms, and proscribed sets of information ("required disclosures") that must be given to you in order to make the contract both legal and safe.

As the first 2 letters in our reference pack demonstrate (from the Contractor's Board), our contract fulfills these Contractor's Law requirements precisely (most construction contracts do not).
The DWC contract is very clear and explicit about both the customer's and contractor's rights and obligations. I also include an agreement to arbitrate as part of my contract. The arbitrators are trained in construction (they're not just lawyers), and this allows disputes to be resolved on the issues, not by legal technicality.
 
Unlicensed contractors, the courts, and you
It might interest you to know that until recently, the owner had a distinct (although generally unknown) advantage over unlicensed contractors: the courts upheld a specific dollar limit for ANY work performed by an unlicensed contractor (within one calendar year). Regardless of the contract amount, the homeowner had no obligation to pay anything over that limit (Section 7031-a, Contractor's License Law).
However, there is now an additional penalty ($2500) which can be levied against OWNERS who knowingly use unlicensed contractors.
The unlicensed limit has been reduced to $500, over which a licensed contractor must be used.

Arbitration
DWC uses industry-trained arbitrators (not simply attorneys) to settle any construction-related disputes over $5000. For any dispute below this figure we use Small Claims Court. At a recent Alternative Dispute Resolution conference in San Francisco, 80 representatives from three major tribunals unanimously agreed that arbitrators trained in the specific area of dispute are the most qualified to make a proper decision. DWC has therefore adopted this stringent industry experience requirement in our agreement to arbitrate clause to insure that we both get an informed forum and decision should any disagreement of any kind arise during construction. Such an approach allows disputes or clarifications to be resolved in an extremely quick manner, at minimal cost. We use the services of AMCC (Arbitration-Mediation-Conciliation Center) staffed with very experienced arbitrators.

Insurances, Worker's Compensation coverage, and Bonds
In these VERY lean times, many contractors have eliminated Liability and Worker's Compensation coverages.  DWC carries a $1,000,000 liability policy with an A-rated company (highest rating),  Worker's Comp coverage with State Fund, and $7,500 bonding. And while our history with the BBB is spotless, we are no longer a member with them, as we found them ineffective. 

Financing
DWC can help arrange a second mortgage, or a NO COST refinance of your first
mortgage (with proper equity and credit), and likely save you money in the bargain.
We can also assist you in obtaining a Title 1 government-backed home improvement
loan if need be. We also accept all major credit cards.

Recent and current work references

The following people with email links can be contacted by just clicking on the link.

Earl Harvey, for whom we did a bit of sleuth in finding and correcting a roof leak in his Sylmar home. Earl can be reached at sandeharvey@earthlink.net

Dale and Carolyn Maeder for whom we just finished a complete rewire, new kitchen cabinets, zoned air-conditioning and heating, and granite work. Dale's phone is (323) 650-1860. His email is dmaeder@ucla.edu

Ken Cruz, who works for Disney. We just completed some concrete work for him. His email is: kenneth.cruz@disney.com

Ann-Beth and Richard Vinetz, whose substantial project we completed in Encino. We revamped their kitchen, roof, cabinets, flooring, doors and windows, rebuilt their fireplace, added skylights, and repainted the interior and exterior. Richard can be reached by email at calccoch@aol.com

Dr. Lawrence Brockman, for whom we did a complete remodel, including removing walls, vaulting ceilings, designing and building all new baths and kitchen, central air system, beautifying his garage interior, etc.
We just added a 4-zone system to his upstairs air-conditioning. His work number is (310) 274-0070 (he's not in his office on Wednesdays) or on his email at labrockmandmd@yahoo.com  I can take you by there as well. Please note his letter in the reference section. I'll be posting some pictures of his work shortly. As an aside, he is the original owner of the beautiful Mercedes 500 SEC posted elsewhere on this site.

Steve Gerhke whose Burbank rental property we upgraded with new windows, patching, painting, flooring, and tile.
Contact him on his email: sgehrke@tstonramp.com

Dixon Dern in West Los Angeles (310) 557-2244, for whom we did wrought iron rails, roofing, stairway and remodeling.

Brian Brueckel at (818) 880-8913, an adjuster for Hartford Insurance.
He recommends us to many fire losses and other claims. His email is: brian.brueckel@thehartford.com

Kevin Wieck at work at (818) 676-1497. We did a master bedroom addition for him in Sherman Oaks. Note his pictures in the Construction Pictures area.

The above people have told me they will be happy to relate their experiences with us.

Feel free to call with any thoughts or questions.