Passing your California licensed contractors exam may certify you to work legally, but it doesn’t necessarily guarantee that your business will be successful… particularly in those crucial early days when you’re just getting started.
To help get your business off on the right foot, here are five things to consider before you earn your California contractor’s license:
- Where you’ll do business. Do you plan on staying in your local neighborhood, or branching out to different communities? Deciding this ahead of time will make it easier to market your services. And you can use the knowledge of the area to assess your business potential and competition.
- What kind of work you’ll do. There are many different types of contractors, and a lot of construction specialties. By having some idea of what you’re good at, and which kinds of projects you want to work on, you’ll make it easier to launch a successful business later.
- How you’ll market yourself. A lot of brand-new contractors advertise with flyers, business cards, and word-of-mouth advertising. How do you plan on informing potential customers about your work?
- Whether or not to start your own company at all. Some CSLS students earn their contracting license but don’t go to work for themselves right away. There are some advantages to keeping another employer (at least part time) until your business is up and running with a positive cash flow.
- Whether you have the right paperwork. CSLS can help you set up things like bonding, insurance, and incorporation paperwork. Often, these can be a hassle to deal with yourself, and getting them right can have important implications later, especially when it comes to issues involving taxes and legal concerns.
If you haven’t thought about these issues before, that’s not a problem – just be sure you consider them as you prepare for your exam. Along with brainstorming some ideas, you may also want to ask your instructors about what you’re thinking. They’ve worked as professionals in the past, and can probably give you guidance and insight you wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else.
Want to give yourself the very best chance of becoming a successful contractor in California? Contact CSLS today and learn about all the different ways we can help you earn your license and get your business up and running.
