The California Contractors License Guru

Advice and opinions from a former CSLB license application technician.

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License Application Services - California Contractors License Guru

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Happy Thanksgiving Happy Thanksgiving to all of my readers. I appreciate your support, kind words, feedback and questions. I hope you have a wonderful holiday with family, friends, food, and football!

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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…

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Do I have to submit an experience outline?

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 discovered it. I have a question I hope you can answer. Here is the scenario: Contractor fails to renew…

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California CSLB Contractors Bond Increase

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 additional…

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New C1 Non Structural Remodel Repair Contractor

New C1 Non Structural Remodel Repair Contractor

The CSLB is proposing legislation to create a New C1 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 the industry! Shocker!!

Friday October 30th, the…

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CSLB Home Improvement Salesperson Registration

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 like the one below always appear (to me)…

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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 like this aspect of the license application is somewhat of a daunting task,…

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Critical Classification Application Under Review

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.

If you are applying for the C10 Electrical, B General Building, A General Engineering, C20 HVAC, etc. and your application is under review, this email Q&A and I had with a C10 applicant might also help you or somebody you know.

Q. Based on my application…

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S Corporations and Salaries

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 much the same as a partnership by the IRS. An S…

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Comparing Corporations to Sole Proprietorships

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 an article I found on LegalZoom.comthat compares the different types of…

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5 Benefits of Becoming a Master Electrician

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 the tests to become a master electrician. The…

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EMPLOYMENT LAW FOR CONTRACTORS

EMPLOYMENT LAW FOR CONTRACTORS

The Green Law Group Presents: EMPLOYMENT LAW FOR CONTRACTORS AUGUST 25, 2015 TOPICS:

The difference between exempt and non-exempt employees

When can project managers and superintendents be exempt from overtime

When can you use different wage rates for travel time

When do you have to reimburse employees for mileage to commute to project sites

When do contractors have…

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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 just repeated what the CSLB told the Rep’s contact person. And even though this was not the…

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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 State (SOS). This is a service I offer, but if you prefer to use an online company click here.

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