Category Archives: Blog

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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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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Time is money, and if you’re a contractor in California, you know that obtaining your contractor’s license as quickly as possible will save you tons of time and money.  However, the process can be confusing and overwhelming, and many contractors make mistakes that can delay or even prevent them from getting their license. Even a week’s delay in getting your …
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If you’re a licensed contractor in another state and you want to work in California, you may be able to transfer your out-of-state contractor’s license to California via a process called reciprocity.  It can take a TON of time and effort to get your California contractor license if you go via the traditional route, and for contractors who want to …
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Without prior experience, getting a contractor’s license in California can be difficult. But it’s definitely doable if you’re armed with the proper knowledge. In this article, we will walk you through how to earn a contractor license in California – even if you have no experience. Here’s how you can get your contractor license in without experience: Step 1: Identify …
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Good news for Spanish-speaking contractors in California! The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) recently announced that it has begun publishing more Spanish-language versions of its licensing exam study guides. In addition, the CSLB is expanding the number of Spanish-language exams they offer to an ever-growing community of trajabadores hispanohablantes. In this article, we’ll cover which classifications the CSLB have added …
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If you’re planning on doing any residential remodeling work in California, it’s essential to have the proper licensing – in this case, a CSLB Class B-2 Residential Remodeling License. The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) regulates contractors in California and issues licenses to those who meet specific requirements. If you are working on any remodeling job that costs over …
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After a long day on the job site, it’s good to know that you can go home and have some relaxation time. One of the biggest benefits of running your own business is that you can have the satisfaction of doing something big, and still be able to enjoy a break. Here are a few ways you can reward yourself …
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When you’re trying to get the business of a new client, it’s common for people to ask you if they can see a portfolio. Portfolios are an excellent way to show off past work that you’re proud of, and give prospective customers visual evidence of your knowledge and skills. Here are five tips to help you build a great one. …
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Changing careers is a big decision. You might have friends or family members who have concerns about making such a choice. In a lot of cases, people worry because they don’t understand the modern construction industry or the amazing things you can do in it. Here are five myths and facts about starting a career in construction. Myth 1: You …
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With springtime often comes flooding in California. Although you can guess where flooding is likely, it’s not always a guarantee that other places are safe. It’s tempting to let the rain flow and hope that it works for the best, but you may be setting up your business for disaster if you don’t take care of it now. Here are …
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Construction wasn’t meant to be easy, but sometimes we make it harder than it has to be. Running a contracting business isn’t supposed to break you. It should be sustainable. Here are five ways you can ensure that it will continue to work for you, now and in the future. Warm Up Getting ready for work involves more than just …
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Starting a business costs money, and sometimes it’s hard to figure out where it should come from. Although a lot of business owners get different types of business loans, it can be difficult to know when is the right time, and how you should use them. With this information, you’ll be able to understand the basics of financing a business …
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When good subcontractors are hard to find (and even harder to get), it’s important to know what to look for. Sometimes, you get a bad feeling about working with someone, and you should pay attention to that instinct. By considering these red flags, you’ll know what to avoid. Doesn’t Communicate Well When you read complaints from clients about contractors, a …
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As a construction contractor in California, you want to do everything in your power to make sure that your business is successful.  Here are some simple but effective tips for helping contractors like yourself get more jobs. Get Your Business Listed With The Contractors State License Board One of the best ways to get more jobs as a California contractor …
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The California State Board of Licensing exam can be difficult. It’s not impossible, but it can be an intimidating process that takes a lot of your time and energy to prepare for it. The good news is that with the right preparation, you can succeed and get your license! In this blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know …
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Keeping your California contractor license up to date is critical for any contractor working in California.  If you do any contracting work with an expired license, you could face serious consequences – so it’s important to make sure your license is active at all times.   How long does a California’s contractor’s license last? California contractor licenses expire every 2 …
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Getting a CSLB license isn’t particularly easy. When it comes to transferring your license, it’s not surprising that it seems difficult to transfer or make changes to your existing license. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to change ownership, add new individuals, or generally re-assign who can operate under a California contractor’s license. Can you transfer your CSLB license? And …
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What do you need in order to start your business as a general contractor in California? You need a number of things before you can start your work. A CSLB Contractor’s License In order to perform any work in California over $500, you need a contractor’s license from the California State Licensing Board (CSLB). This license verifies that you have …
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Unlicensed contractors have an unfair advantage in the construction market. They don’t follow the rules that are designed to protect everyone in the process long-term – just so they can make more money in the short term. It’s in everyone’s best interest to protect their communities from illegal contracting services. Here’s the easy way to make sure your area is …
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Accidents happen on the construction site, and it’s important to be prepared. While you might not be able to address everything, having a good first-aid kit is key to managing minor injuries. Here are five things that you should keep in your first-aid kit, to help you keep working or to buy you time until help arrives. Protective Gear You …
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