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Where there’s building, there will be pests. Birds, rodents and insects can cause major trouble on the jobsite. If they’re not chewing on the wood, they’re building nests in the structures. They could even harm you while you’re working. Most of the time, they’re a distraction you don’t need. Consider these tips to help keep every jobsite a pest-free workplace. …
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After a few decades of the same skyline, big cities often decide it’s time for a change. This could represent a lot of potential for your contracting business. Major metro areas like Los Angeles are engaging in a pattern of urban renewal for residential, retail and commercial spaces. With the right information and a solid plan, you could capitalize on …
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As with many small businesses, securing customers and keeping them content with the process can feel like full-time work all by themselves. Maintaining a high level of customer service is key to establishing and maintaining an excellent reputation for your work. Sometimes, it can be difficult to identify the best things you can do to help each client. Follow these …
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Although much of California is rural, the vast majority of the population gathers around a number of urban centers. The layout and building trends of the metropolitan area you live in can affect the way you run your contracting business. If you’re thinking about moving to a location that will make it easier to get to your target customer base, …
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As a contractor, you may be called upon to make upgrades or repairs to work that clearly did not follow the proper path. Not every construction project needs permits, but many do. A lack of proper permits can be an indicator that the work was not completed to local building codes. This guide helps you ascertain whether or not work …
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If it hasn’t happened to your contracting business yet, it will eventually. You go to a client site to provide a consultation on a project and see that there are all kinds of problems with the existing setup. The client tells you that the person doing the work didn’t obtain a permit, even though you know they should have. Now …
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Being able to say that you work with sustainable construction materials can be a boon for your construction business. When you evaluate supplies for their sustainability, you’re looking at consumption, waste and regeneration. Most materials can be sustainable, but you’ll have to do some research to confirm that your supply line is following best practices. This means that even if …
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As a contracting business owner, you want to provide all the details in your communications with prospective and current customers. The trouble is getting them to read all of it and remember it. If clients can’t get the relevant information from a proposal, email or estimate, they might take up a lot of your time asking for details you’ve already …
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In building, sustainability has certainly become a buzzword. The problem with sustainability is that it can mean different things to different people. Knowing the basics can help you to understand why sustainability is trending, and how you can make it a part of your strategy for your contracting business. Here are the basics of sustainability and how it applies to …
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Have you ever finished reading a page and realized that you recall almost none of it? Being able to read through documents quickly is a benefit, but only if you can retain the most important points. Preparing for the contractor licensing exams requires a lot of reading, and you will need to do a fair bit in your business, as …
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Fires at construction sites cost hundreds of millions of dollars in damage each year. This industry is at a higher risk for fires with a greater likelihood of major losses. Fortunately, there are many methods you can use to minimize the chance of causing a fire, and protect yourself and your investment. Consider these common guidelines in your safety analysis …
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With so many possible jobs that are closely related, your current experience might apply to a host of contracting fields. Once you get your license and start working, you want to be sure that you’ve made the right decision. Ask yourself these questions to help refine the field that will make the best start for your contracting business. What Kind …
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They happen several times a year, and they have the potential to really mess up your timelines. The holidays may be a time for making merry or getting together with family and friends, but you also want to be sure you can stick to your schedule for your contracting business projects. Here are a few tips you can use to …
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In this industry, you learn as much from practice and guidance as you do from study. That’s why you have to spend a fair bit of time gathering experience under a licensed contractor before you can attempt the exam and get a license of your own. While you’re working on your own qualifications, you have an excellent opportunity to learn …
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Does your contractors licensing school have to be local, or can you save a few dollars by traveling farther?

We have always felt that it’s important to get the lessons you need in your own neighborhood. That’s why we have 25 different campuses around the state – we want to make it as convenient and affordable as possible for you to learn, while still giving you the very best education from experienced construction professionals.
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The California State Licensing Board requires you to have four years of experience before you can take a licensing exam. With the completion of certain types of degree and certificate programs, you may be able to waive up to three of those years. This means that some people can get a license with one year of practical experience. No matter …
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A lot of the time, people who start a contracting business begin with exactly one employee–themselves. If you are really good at time management and you have a lot of time and energy to devote, this might seem fairly straightforward. However, it can be hard to avoid overextending yourself and put your health (and your projects) at risk. Here are …
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The construction industry labor shortage is well-known, and it’s not going away anytime soon. If you can’t keep or even find good employees, the quickest answer may be to rent them from a qualified organization. Here’s how it works, and what you need to know to be sure you hire someone who will get the job done. What Is a …
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Whether you’re sitting in a downpour in San Diego or facing five-foot snowdrifts high in the Sierra-Nevadas, you want to be prepared for the weather. The one truth about winter is that it can put any contractor at risk. Here’s a few tips to ensure that you can finish your projects without injuring yourself or your employees. Keep Tabs on …
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When you run a business in the construction industry, you may have to manage a lot of available materials. If you spend a lot of your work time at jobsites or on the road, you might not be able to quickly check your warehouse. Inventory management is the key to keeping your business running smoothly. Here are a few tips …
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