CSLB Quick Facts

License required for jobs over
$1,000
Minimum contractor bond
$25,000
Journey-level experience
4 years
Current exam passing scores
School-observed: 65% for Law & Business and 63% to 71% for trade exams; CSLB does not publish fixed passing scores

The CSLB oversees 46 contractor classifications in California.

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Home-based Construction Businesses: Is it for You?

By 2 min read

Home-based Construction Businesses: Is it for You?

A home-based construction company is clearly not going to work well out of an apartment but for some property owners, home based is the perfect location for starting a small construction company. In fact, there are many benefits for starting small at home and building your empire. Inside, we look at a few of these benefits so you can start living the American dream.

Taxation – It’s a Tool

When you run a home business you are allowed to use some of the expenses of running and paying for your home as a tax deduction. Instead of thinking about paying taxes think about using tax deduction as a way of offsetting the costs of starting a business. It is a financial move that you will not see until you file, and you will need to check with a financial advisor who is familiar with the tax law in your area. Often you can claim:

  • Part of your mortgage Interest
  • Part of your montage
  • Part of your utility bills, such as electricity, gas, and internet.
  • Business related expenses such as insurance, marketing, etc.

Learn more: IRS Topic 509 – Business Use of Home and Home Office Deduction

Start Small and Specialize

Small home-based construction companies have a lot more freedom than do larger companies. One positive is that you can find your own clients or you can subcontract with a bigger firm. Either way, your business is earning money. Specializing allows you to better compete in a competitive market. An example of starting small might be to only focus on custom cabinets or exterior painting. Some small businesses make a killing serving front doors. The lesson here is that you do not have to build skyscrapers to build a construction empire.

Make It a Weekend Gig

You don’t have to quit your day job to start your own construction company. By keeping your business small and focused, you can grow a weekend business into a full-time job. To do so, focus on quality, build a positive reputation, and by all means network.

About CSLS:

CSLS is the largest contractor licensing school in California with over 25 locations throughout the state. We have the highest success rate of any school – 99% of our students pass their exam on the first try, and that’s guaranteed or your money back.

Our teaching process prepares you in a step by step manner for everything you need to know to pass the law, business , and trade portion of your exam.  Our programs are designed for convenience. We have online programs, home study, crash-course and in-school options, making it easy and affordable for you to become a licensed contractor.

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