Strategies for finding reliable general contractors for Oakland rental properties?

[Matt A.]

What strategies do you other landlords use to find reliable general contractors to work on your rental properties? 

I've worked with a number of general contractors in the past, but have rarely been happy with the results. They typically seem focused on too many other projects at once to do a quality job on any or complete any in a reasonable amount of time. I'm tired of waiting months for things that seem to  take only a week or two of actual labor. I'm also amazed at how few of these general contractors actually file permits or carry workers' compensation insurance.

Perhaps I'm using the wrong strategies to find ones that are a good fit for my needs as a landlord. Would be great to hear how/where you other landords have gone about finding them.