Contractor Licensing FAQs

I get a host of questions from contractors and most are pretty straightforward. Every once in awhile I get a contractor’s question from ‘left-field’ that ‘catches’ me off guard. It also is interesting when I get an inquiry from what some may consider my ‘competition’. Really, in your effort to ‘score’ a contractor’s license it’s no…

I will help a contractor getting the ‘cold shoulder’ on his bids. Are you up to date on changes in the mechanics lien laws? A quick update for contractors will help you catch up. We also offer good advice for anyone who may have to replace an aging Qualifier… Q: We hold a “C-38” contractor’s license.…

There are several good lessons in these past questions about corporation licensing. Many contractors are making the leap into this new business structure during this recession to reduce their costs. Others are looking into opportunity farther from their traditional base… Q: I incorporated a year ago as the downturn hit us but have continued to use…

A General finds opportunity right under his feet as we share issues from contractors working across the West. Another question helps clarify a common misconception about corporate officers wearing multiple hats on the same license. With no budget to sign, another new bill from the Legislature gives the ‘Governator’ the chance to kick open a ‘door’…

Striving to get contractors the best information possible means getting it right from the source in Sacramento. As most of you have other plans on the agenda, I go to these meetings where government decisions are made which are important to working contractors. Spend a moment to learn what you missed at the most recent meeting…

Getting the best information in a timely fashion is a key to success in almost any endeavor. When licensed by the government, this information is crucial to operating legally and can be a ‘good news – bad news’ situation when uncertain of the facts. I’ll share the ‘low’ down with a contractor seeking to keep his…

While justice is often done, for some victims it comes too late. The Placer Co. District Attorney issued an unlicensed contractor alert after an 87 year-old resident was bilked of $13,500 for a tree removal. The Sacramento Bee reported the unlicensed contractor was arrested, tried on theft and contracting without a license charges, found guilty and…

Having options is great. However, for a contractor the choices sometimes are really limited to ‘one or the other’. Bankruptcy is a painful decision for anyone, but doubly so when I tell a contractor his problem hasn’t been solved despite drastic action on his part…Q: We received paperwork today from the CSLB and it states we…

Like Truman and MacArthur or Obama and McChrystal I will explain to an unhappy specialty contractor what a ‘General’ can and can’t do in California. Scammers have found a new way to ‘pick the pocket’ of contractors and you should be on alert. I start with a Responsible Managing Employee with a question many Qualifiers may…