The Capitol Connection is our weekly Q & A column for contractors that focuses on topics pertaining to contractor's licensing.
‘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…
If you don’t want to get ‘soaked’ by the wet weather, compliance with new runoff rules will ‘divert’ the potential for fines. While many are doing business ‘as usual’ contractors in California should be on high alert about a bill that would make a fundamental change in how and when license suspensions occur… From time to…
A new Federal rule reminds us that you may not be able to ‘see’ the future, but you can anticipate some problems before they occur. For contractors, especially those involved in demo, renovation or remodels in older buildings, you must ‘lead’ the way in preventing toxic exposures. Finally, we help subs know when to put a…
If we had a ‘Way Back’ machine like the old ‘Rocky and Bullwinkle Show,’ we could revisit those days when government kept what it knows about you and your business on file cards. As one contractor has discovered that isn’t the case in our ‘information sharing’ society. Another aspiring contractor takes us back to some ‘basic’…
Okay, a corporation, a partnership and a duck walk into a bar. The duck isn’t part of the story, but the two contractor’s questions begin a complicated journey to a complex answer. Remember it’s not the destination that teaches us the most it’s the journey… Q: We have a partnership consisting of two corporations. One corporation…
When your company holds multiple licenses which one do you use to bid a job? If you choose incorrectly another contractor will likely find reason to protest the award. Come along with me to visit the CSLB and meet the newest Board members… Q: We are a “C-54” tile contractor in business for 30 years. We…
We begin with what can only be described as a ‘no–win’ situation for one contractor. We finish with a ‘win-win’ for contractors everywhere… Q: As we discussed on the phone, the Responsible Managing Employee (RME) we’re going to hire has the “A”, “B” and several “C” licenses. He read some documents online that said if he…