Blog

Licensed HVAC contractors are very busy people. From installing, repairing, and maintaining the systems that cool, heat, and ventilate our air, these C-20 specialty license-holding heroes – like you – are responsible for keeping us comfortable indoors year-round. Whether your concerns are more residential or if you want to know about HVAC news for commercial spaces, this guide is for …
Continue reading →

As we dig into another year, it’s good to check in with the state and federal landscaping laws that keep contractors and their clients safe from project to project. It’s important to remember that local ordinances and special permitting for landscaping are often city or neighborhood-specific. So after reviewing these broad strokes, check with the authorities who govern the area …
Continue reading →

Want to get a contractor’s license in California, but don’t have any experience? Can you even get a contractor’s license without experience? In this article, we’ll cover the ins and outs of getting a contractor license with no experience in California. Let’s take a look at the journey from a person with a dream and no experience to becoming a …
Continue reading →

The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) can sometimes be vague and confusing about what they require of their contractors – and insurance and bonding is no exception. This always-changing landscape of protective measures, unpaid principal, and bureaucratic red tape can create a bewildering display of confusing and seemingly contradictory requirements. When it comes to understanding what bonds and insurance you …
Continue reading →

Whether you’re new to roofing in California or a seasoned, CSLB-licensed contractor – you have to renew your contractor license every two years. That is, if you want to stay licensed, and; therefore, to stay compliant with state law. Maintaining compliance with the Contractors State License Board is critical for roofers to be able to operate legally in the state. …
Continue reading →

Whether you are an individual or a business looking to get started on construction and renovation projects, the path to obtaining a contracting license can be a daunting one. As we’ve covered in previous articles, it costs a lot of money just to get yourself in a position to apply for a contractor’s license – let alone become a licensed …
Continue reading →

A friendly reminder to all C-61-/D-49 contractors: your license is changing! Any contractor working on tree trimming jobs will require a C-49 License in roughly 90 days. The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) has introduced a new classification – the C-49 contractors’ license replaces the C-61 and D-49 licenses. This new classification is specifically for Tree and Palm Contractors – …
Continue reading →

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 $1,000. The work is considered of casual, minor, …
Continue reading →

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 …
Continue reading →

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 …
Continue reading →

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, …
Continue reading →

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 …
Continue reading →

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 …
Continue reading →

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 …
Continue reading →

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 …
Continue reading →

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 …
Continue reading →

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 …
Continue reading →

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, …
Continue reading →

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 …
Continue reading →

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 …
Continue reading →