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What is the Minor Work Exemption? The Minor Work Exemption in California allows certain types of construction work to be performed without a contractor’s license. This exemption, outlined in California Business & Professions Code Section 7048, applies when the aggregate contract price for labor, materials, and all other items is less than $500. The work is considered of casual, minor, …
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If you’re a contractor, engineer, or someone looking to begin a career down either of these paths, you have probably wondered about the CSLB Class A General Engineering License. This license covers all the activities of a general engineering contractor in California – everything from planning an interstate highway project to fixing the irrigation system on the Capitol building. We’ll …
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You need to know so many different things to be a successful licensed contractor in California. From passing the CSLB Law and Business exam to knowing how to register as a business in California, to knowing the ins and outs of your local zoning and business codes — there’s a billion areas of knowledge that require a contractor’s understanding and …
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If you’re a new California contractor or you’re simply looking to become a construction contractor in the state, it may seem like a daunting task to stay compliant and within the bounds of the legal requirements put forth by the State and the various authorities in charge of maintaining safety and construction standards. California is notorious for its regulatory eagerness, …
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If you’re a general contractor or a person hiring a general contractor, there’s always a nagging question in the back of your mind: “What happens if something goes wrong?” In many states, there’s automatic legal protection for the public in the form of licensing, insurance, and contractor’s bonds, but many states don’t require contractors to be licensed or monitored by …
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As a general contractor, you have a broad and diverse skillset that covers many areas of construction, from budgeting to hiring to contracts and more – in addition to the various trade skills you’ve acquired over the years. General contractors know better than anyone that you need specialist knowledge to operate in the various trades that comprise any construction project …
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Another CSLB sting, another series of arrests. The CSLB has just announced their 9th sting of the year, leading to the successful arrest of two contractors allegedly working without a license – an act that is illegal in the state of California. The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) recently coordinated their 9th sting of the year – a successful operation …
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General Contractors: Team Captain The general contractor (GC) is the linchpin of on-site activities, making sure that everything runs smoothly, on-time and on-budget. They’re the ones actually getting their hands “dirty”, so to speak, working on the site itself and making sure that everything is going according to plan. With guidance from the CM and the PM, GCs are actively …
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You’re a contractor. You’ve just finished a job (with a contract!) and now, when it comes time for the client to hold up their end of the bargain – nada. “No worries,” you think. This client seems legit. They’ll pay, they’re just forgetful is all. Yada yada. Days go by, then weeks, and still nothing hits your account number. You …
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As a California contractor, if there’s one nuisance that will crop up time and time again in your contracting career, it’s building codes. Considering the mountains of red tape and bureaucracy that you have to go through to even get your contractor’s license or get a project approved, the last thing contractors want is to deal with building codes. These …
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If you’re a contractor, a journeyman, an apprentice or someone just normally interested in a career in construction, there’s a good chance you have your eye on someday becoming a general contractor. It’s an appealing proposition – general contractors make good money and doing inspections isn’t nearly as punishing on the body as a day of laying grout. And yet, …
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As a contractor in California, you may be wondering if joining a California Contractor Trade Association is worth it. Trade associations take time and energy to invest into, but the rewards from joining them can be absolutely worth the effort. This article will delve into the advantages and potential drawbacks of joining a California Contractor Trade Association, drawing on information …
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Are you about to take the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) exam and you’re freaking out because you think you might fail it?  Or maybe you’re heading back from the exam right now, stunned to read a number on the screen that was less than the 72% needed to pass the exam? Either way, you’ve got the intrusive thought …
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As a California contractor, you spend a good amount of time swimming around in a sea of paperwork, codes, fees, rules and regulations – business licenses are no exception. Who would have thought that a construction career would have so much…paperwork? After all, the whole reason we got into this business in the first place is so you can make …
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As climate change looms large over California, state authorities have rapidly expanded and evolved water conservation initiatives across the state – all of which affect contractors in particular. For contractor license holders, these evolving regulations not only present challenges to how you operate, but they are also a rich source of opportunity to leverage sustainability into success.  Let’s explore how …
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Ask any contractor what the most important piece of equipment they have and they’ll all tell you the same thing. It’s not a screwdriver or a laptop or a backhoe.  No, the most important piece of equipment any contractor can have is a little number in a database: their contractor’s license. Not only is a contractor’s license a testament to …
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Nobody wants to hire an unlicensed contractor, but what happens if a homeowner or property owner is tricked by a specifically slick contractor? What happens if a homeowner hires someone that they didn’t realize was actually unlicensed? In either case, there’s serious criminal consequences to performing unlicensed construction work in California and beyond – and depending on the situation, homeowners …
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As a contractor in California, your license is your livelihood. However, there are several reasons why your license may be suspended, including failure to renew on time, disciplinary action by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB), or failure to comply with state regulations. If your license has been suspended, it’s important to know what steps to take to address the …
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Do you need a contractor’s license in California to do construction work?  The answer is: yes, in most cases, you need a contractor license to legally perform construction work. Usually.  There are some big exceptions, depending on the size and scope of your work so read on to see what types of construction jobs require a contractor license in California. …
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Thinking about becoming a contractor and want to know how much you can expect to make? Look no further. Although California’s construction scene is diverse, with dozens of trades and specializations working across every category of construction you can imagine, there’s some reliable, general data that you can use to plan your future as a contractor.  So without further ado, …
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