The Capitol Connection is our weekly Q & A column for contractors that focuses on topics pertaining to contractor's licensing.
After a vacation in the wilds of Alaska, I’m back to answer a quick question – with a short answer that goes a long way to helping everyone understand how many licenses one contractor can qualify. A roofing contractor wants a ‘waiver’ for an additional class and, as always, my answer is ‘on the house’… Q:…
While ‘supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ might be the longest word you may know, thanks to Disney’s “Mary Poppins”, for contractors ‘reciprocity’ means much more. Did you know that you might get a license in one state, even if you’ve only been licensed for 24 hours in another?… Q: Since, 2000, we have had licenses in Utah, California, Arizona, and…
As the end of this column suggests, one contractor has discovered the secret of success! He quickly learned how knowledge of license law can be a significant ‘tool’ itself. Another wants to find out how to keep their business ‘all in the family’. They also help us all remember why we go to experts when we…
This may be known in the future as the Summer of Smoke. While some areas have been stricken with devastating fires, nearly all Californians experienced the fallout as ash and smoke blanket our state. We have also literally ‘sweated out’ this last week in California and the West as temperatures reached highs well beyond 100 in…
As a highly mobile society keeping in touch with everyone is often difficult. However, you should always remember to update your address with the CSLB or expect to pay a price. Another contractor discovers that while you may be forgiven, government computers never forget. I hear from a lot of people about getting their contractor’s license,…
As a contractor, do you know what you must file with the city or county where your business is licensed? With an increasing urgency to verify people working in the U.S. are here legally, how do contractors actually know when you’ve been given the person’s ‘vital’ numbers that they’re real? Those answers and more as we…
The balance between a contractor’s worksite and the surrounding community can sometimes become strained. Often it’s because of noise created by the work. Can a contractor be fined by the CSLB when the decibels rise and tempers flare? Why should a Responsible Managing Officer always file to disassociate from the company when he leaves? One contractor…
For contractors a customer referral is the best form of ‘advertising’. It costs nothing and is based on work you have accomplished successfully. When a contractor pays for advertising are you aware of the rules that must be followed? Can a cabinetmaker paint and plumb too? Does the Contractors Board have your picture on their wall?…
Can a specialty contractor work outside his licensed trade to complete a specific project? You might be surprised by my answer. Did you know that in some cases, a contractor must replace himself on the same California license? That is just one reason why contractors may be surprised by the rules that govern the use of…