Give an expert the chance to avoid problems, or do it yourself. One choice comes with ‘surprises’ as a contractor recently discovered. I will ‘install’ an important licensing distinction for a custom cabinet maker, and ‘float’ the boat to ‘re-finish’ this first column of this new year…
Q: You helped me in November of last year with replacing the previous Qualifier on our corporate contractor’s license. If I remember correctly, I became the Responsible Managing Officer (RMO) for both the “C-20” (HVAC) and the “C-43” (Sheet Metal) classifications. I am now the only person listed on the license. We primarily do sheet metal work, however I had an opportunity come up to do a large HVAC project for one of my long time customers. Come to find out, the “C-20” classification is no longer on the license! I’m not sure what happened or if I’m just not recalling exactly what we did at the end of last year. Can you look in to this and shed some light? Regardless, I need to have the HVAC put back on so let me know what needs to be done.
A: I looked up your license and you did in fact become the RMO for both classifications in December of last year. It appears the “C-20” classification was removed from your license as of 7/1/2023. I also see that your company files an exemption from Worker’s Compensation Insurance. Effective January 1, 2023 all “C-20” contractors are required to carry Worker’s Comp Insurance, regardless of whether they have employees. The CSLB notified all contractors who would be affected by this new law and they gave licensees 6 months to comply. It appears you never obtained Worker’s Compensation, and therefore the “C-20” automatically removed effective 7/1/2023. You are still “qualified” to hold the “C-20” classification, however you would need to 1) file an application to add the “C-20” onto the license, and 2) obtain Worker’s Comp Insurance and provide the CSLB with the Certificate of Insurance. You will not need to test or anything. Please let me know if you would like us to handle this process for you.
Q: I am starting a new custom cabinet business. I will be designing the cabinet layout specific to the customer’s wants and needs, fabricating the cabinets, and then delivering them on site to be installed. The customer will have complete control of the installation, in fact, my company will not even be referring installers. In your opinion, does my company need a contractor’s license?
A: It does not sound like a contractor’s license would be required for the work you described. No contractor’s license is required for designing or fabricating custom cabinets as long as you are not responsible for or contracting for the installation of such cabinets.
Q: My company has been doing sand and water blasting on large ships to remove the debris and prepare the surface for re-finishing. We recently were told we need a contractor’s license to perform this work. Is that true and if so, what type of license would be required? We were told a “C-33”, but when I look that I up I see that’s “painting” which doesn’t sound correct to me.
A: If the projects are over $500 in materials and labor, then yes, you would need a contractor’s license. If you are strictly preparing the surface for re-finishing, a “C-61”/“D38” (Sand and Water Blasting) license would be the most appropriate. However, if you are doing any of the re-finishing work after the surface is cleaned, the “C-33” would be more appropriate.