Capitol Services

You hire a licensed landscaper to create and maintain your property, but did you know he could also bid for the contract to build your swimming pool? One of the ways to obtain a low contractor’s license number in California…

Another important alert for corporate contractors comes with a lesson on ‘un-ringing the bell.’ We learn that once an application is made it’s a ‘done deal.’ First, two contractors are looking at ways to expand their opportunities in these leaner…

We help corporate contractors, sole proprietors and anyone else who may have a question about some aspect of obtaining or using your State license. Small and disabled-veteran contractors are getting more support from the State of California. We give a…

A contracting business, like a marriage, often starts out well. Unfortunately, half of the marriages end in divorce. Who holds the ‘cards’ when the business deal is done? A lot could depend on how the ‘game’ is being played. Like…

People often seek a second opinion when they don’t like the answer they get. When it comes to applying the law to contractor’s licensing, the CSLB usually has the final say. However, it seems there is some ‘exception’ to the…

In writing this column, reader feedback is one of the best ‘gifts’ I receive from contractors’. It signals validation of the value readers receive in taking time to educate themselves beyond the basics. Our first contractor has come back to…

Have you ever played “Whack A Mole”? If so, you can understand some contractor’s frustration with people trying to scam them. As soon as one scam is exposed another pops up to take its place and waste more of your…

‘Time is money’ is an old cliché. However, waiting too long or missing a deadline can cost you plenty. While one contractor learns he can’t afford to wait ‘one day’ to renew an expired license, another will likely be given…

Even in the best of times some people will try to ‘fool’ you out of your hard earned dollars. In today’s economy the idea of ‘buyer beware’ is always a good caution before writing the check, especially when fear is…

Contractors are finding one ‘bright’ spot in the growing demand for ‘green’ energy. Another electrical contractor feels they are getting ‘burned’ by misinterpretation of the license rules. I will ‘bond’ with another contractor before helping a crane operator understand when…