Contractors License Guru Blog

C-01 Contractors License Proposed Language

C-01 Contractors License Proposed Language

There was a stakeholder meeting at the Contractors State License Board headquarters office today that discussed the C-01 Contractors License Proposed Language. At this meeting they outlined the proposed language for the new classification. It states: “Adopt Section 832.01 Non-Structural Remodel and Repair Contractor (a) A non-structural remodel and repair contractor remodels and repairs existing structures […]

CSLB Experience

Do I have to submit an experience outline?

I received an email today from a reader who was looking for an answer to this question: Do I have to submit an experience outline with my application if I held the same classification over five years ago? The email stated: Dear Mr. Cocciante: Your Blog is a wonderful resource and I am happy I […]

California CSLB Contractors Bond Increase

A post by Jon Gottschalk regarding the California CSLB Contractors Bond Increase coming in 2016 POSTED BY: JON GOTTSCHALK NOVEMBER 17, 2015 As published in our blog last month, the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is requiring all California contractors to purchase a $15,000 bond by January 1, 2016— a $2,500 increase from the $12,500 amount that was previously required. The […]

New C1 Non Structural Remodel Repair Contractor

The CSLB is proposing legislation to create a New C1 (Actual name is B-2) Non Structural Remodel Repair Contractor. It’s about time!! After years of forcing B General Contractor applicants to withdraw their applications because they couldn’t meet the unrealistic proof of experience requirements, the Contractors State License Board is actually doing something to help […]

CSLB Home Improvement Salesperson Registration

The CSLB home improvement salesperson registration law will change on January 1, 2016. Of all the laws and rules and regulations the CSLB could be working to change, they decided to do something about HIS registrations. What about the myriad of underground regulations the CSLB has created regarding the licensure of targeted classifications? Press releases […]

Who should certify your CSLB experience

Who should certify your CSLB experience

So who should certify your CSLB experience and who shouldn’t? And how should your trade experience be outlined on the license application. Other questions are: How many certifiers do I need? Can my dad, mom, uncle, or brother be my certifier? These are common questions that I’m asked all the time. And although it seems […]

Critical Classification Application Under Review

I’m often asked, pretty much daily, what should an applicant do when they are dealing with a critical classification application under review. 2021 Update… The cslb is no longer classifying certain trades as “critical.”  Although the A-Eng and G-General Bldg trades are still scrutinize more than others. If you are applying for the C10 Electrical, […]

S Corporations and Salaries

Continuing my research in comparing an S corporation to a sole proprietor, I found this article on nolo.com that discusses how to pay yourself, other officers, and shareholders. S Corporations and Salaries: How much should I pay myself? An S corporation (also called a Subchapter S corporation) is a small corporation that has elected to be taxed […]

Comparing Corporations to Sole Proprietorships

I’m asked all the time if a new contractor should be a sole proprietor (sole owner) or a corporation. I’m currently a sole owner but have been incorporated in the past. I’ve been thinking of incorporating again for the possible tax benefits and personal liability protection and thought I’d do a little research. Below is […]

C10 Electrical California Contractors License

5 Benefits of Becoming a Master Electrician

I found a great article on ElectricianTalk.com that discusses the benefits of becoming a Master Electrician. It provides some great advice and helpful information. 5 Benefits of Becoming a Master Electrician Once you’ve worked as a journeyman electrician for a few years and gotten some skills under your belt, you may start to consider taking […]

Contact your State Representative

Contact your State Representative

If you are having problems with the Contractors State License Board (CSLB), you should contact your State Representative. Below is a letter I received from my Rep back in 2013 in response to a complaint I filed. As you’ll see, they contacted the CSLB on my behalf. My take-away from this letter is that they […]

Starting a construction business

Starting a Construction Business

Starting a construction business isn’t easy by any means. There is a lot of planning and steps to take. I’m going to attempt to break it down to the basics. First, what business entity to choose. If you choose a corporation or LLC you’ll want to file your articles of incorporation with the Secretary of […]

C2 Insulation and Acoustical California Contractors License

Report Unlicensed Activity

The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) states that unlicensed contracting is part of California’s estimated annual $60 to $140 billion dollar underground economy. These individuals and businesses do not pay taxes, have general liability insurance or license surety bonds. The CSLB also believes that it is not unusual for them to be involved in other […]

CSLB Gestapo Tactics

CSLB Gestapo Tactics

The CSLB may be taking notes (knowingly? or unknowingly?) out of Germany’s Gestapo playbook. Wikipedia says, in part: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gestapo “The basic Gestapo law passed by the government in 1936 gave the Gestapo carte blanche to operate without judicial review—in effect, putting it above the law.[13] The Gestapo was specifically exempted from responsibility to administrative courts, where citizens normally could […]

Polar Solar CSLB newsletter

CSLB Spring 2015 Newsletter Part 2

In this edition of the CSLB Spring 2015 Newsletter part 2 I’ll discuss advertising rules for contractors. What caught my eye were two things. 1) The image they used in the article was taken in front of the CSLB headquarters building. I looked up the business name and found one company called Polar Solar Inc. […]

CSLBs Illegal Critical Classifications

CSLB Spring 2015 Newsletter

The CSLB Spring 2015 Newsletter was sent out today. Here are my highlights… or lowlights. In the Chair’s opening statement he said: “You can expect CSLB to continue its vigorous regulation of California’s construction industry, and to aggressively pursue unlicensed contractors and unscrupulous businesses through sting operations, construction site sweeps, and other strategies. We want […]

Sumner Insurance Services Review

Do NOT use Sumner Insurance Services in Upland California! Sumner Insurance Services Review They do not cancel policies after receiving a signed written request. They cancel policies they have no authority to cancel. They continue to collect premiums and fees on policies they were suppose to cancel. Their communication with clients is pathetic. After I […]

CSLB Underground Economy

CSLB Continues Underground Economy

The CSLB continues underground economy by making the requirements to obtain a license more restrictive. They like to taut their sting operations and talk about where the “illegal contractors” are coming from. But what they aren’t talking about is how they are clamping down on what they will and will not accept as experience. I […]

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