Doing business as a contractor is difficult and rewarding, but the learning curve never ends. The complex rules that govern contracting matters both large and small can extend to a single word in your company name… Q: I formed a new solar company and submitted my application to the CSLB well over a month ago. I…
In real estate, the advice is always: location, location. For contractors the key to wisdom may be: documentation, documentation! The bureaucracy runs on paperwork which is up-to-date and paid in full. First, I will ‘engineer’ a solution for a corporate contractor that saves him time. We then follow the ‘paper trail’ for two other contractors who…
When consumers need minor repairs or think about remodeling, they often mistakenly look first for someone who is ‘handy’ at the job. However, as current California law is written there is no specific ‘handyman’ license, despite what you may read in some ads. I will also ‘expand’ your knowledge of legally ‘contracting’ and that advice is…
Long time readers have already learned that getting the best or latest interpretation of license law always comes from the main office. When contractors grow, by ‘doing-business-as’ (DBA) a second or third license entity, how you structure those companies does make a difference. Although Dave’s not here, I will help him find his answer about what…
Just as the Giant’s and A’s renew their cross-Bay rivalry to open the baseball season, a contractor also makes a great ‘catch’ here. Another contractor will discover he’s been pitched a real ‘curveball’ from his past. I’ll take a ‘swing’ at hitting the ‘sweet spot’ as he already has two ‘strikes’ against him… Q: As the…
There are always sad stories coming from economic crisis, but letting frustration with those conditions determine your behavior is also sad. We begin with a contractor who let things go too far in seeking ‘justice’ for money owed. You can lend a ‘hand’ in controlling a growing problem for licensed contractors, and we ‘engineer’ a solution…
‘Green’ technology is helping revitalize building. Who can properly install that solar energy system may unexpectedly create new profits for some contractors. As in most economic downturns businesses look for new ways to work, and contractors are ‘generally’ on the ‘cutting edge’ when it comes to innovation… Q: I have a General building license and want…
If you ‘pay the freight’ you might naturally expect to receive delivery of what you paid for. However, government doesn’t necessarily always meet those expectations. Unfortunately, today it’s more like ‘business unusual’ in California. No matter how long you’ve been licensed there is always more to learn. A concrete contractor helps us ‘cement’ the learning curve…
As I have advocated for many years in the end piece for this contractor’s Q&A, ‘knowledge is power’. I share with you the benefit of knowing your license, and the laws that apply to using it. We also visit that place between the ‘rock’ of private contracting law and the ‘hard place’ of public works rules…