California Contractors License
|
|
Electrician’s Exam Study Guide (McGraw-Hill’s Electrician’s Exam Study Guide) $20.05 Get 1,500 Exam-Style Questions and Answers to Help You Pass the Journeyman and Master Electrician Exams on the First Try! Turn to the Electrician’s Exam Study Guide for the knowledge, practice, and confidence needed to pass the Journeyman and Master Electrician exams with flying colors. This practical resource contains 1,500 questions_presented in the same format used on the actual exam_plus accur… |
|
|
California Contractors License Law & Reference Book with CD-ROM $23.00 The California Contractors License Law & Reference Book is a must-have resource for anyone interested in becoming licensed as a contractor in California. Created in conjunction with the California Contractors License Board, this newest edition includes the information you need to become a California Licensed Contractor, maintain and change your existing license, access information about Licensees… |
|
|
DEWALT Building Contractor’s Licensing Exam Guide (Dewalt Exam/Certification Series) $24.70 Updated to reflect the 2009 International Building Code and International Residential Code, this guide introduces students to the most critical concepts, from code and OSHA requirements to business management and building theory. This valuable content is enhanced by the book’s student-friendly features, including an interactive CD that simulates actual exams, over 500 practice questions, test-taki… |
|
|
Tim-bor Professional Insecticide and Fungicide, 1.5 lb. bag $8.50 It is a powder that is mixed with water and applied to wood structures including fences, decks, steps sheds and other out buildings. Can not be shipped to NY… |
They Can be Good, Bad, and Sometimes Scary: your Local Contractor
As you walk down the cavernous aisles of various home improvement stores, you can see the seeds of great ideas that, for some that would attempt a project, turn into a nightmare. We all have ideas of things we’d like to change about our house or rooms, home renovations that seem like they’d be a positive step. These changes and additions to a house will only increase the value and add overall comfort, and hiring a professional to get the job done is a wise idea to save time and possible headaches. Keep in mind, though, that in every industry, there are bad apples, and knowing what to look for to find a good contractor is important.
It’s a lot harder than you would think to find a good contractor. If you want a quality job, do not rush into anything with a contractor. Each completed step gets you that much closer to finished. Be wary, however, or your dream could end up being a nightmare. Investing in renovations often has no guaranteed results. Your project might end up being all cherries, or it could be the pits!
For most homeowners, the majority of renovations are just too large or difficult. Once you’ve decided on your parameters, you can find a contractor to renovate your home and make your dreams come true. Renovations can be either fun and simple, or difficult and unpleasant. And your choice of a contractor will have a major impact on your experience.
The first thing to do is to hire professional and responsible contractors to perform your renovations. Don’t hesitate to ask for and verify references. All legitimate contractors will be proud of their work history, and will be happy to supply you with references. Avoid contractors who can’t provide at least six, and preferably ten, solid references.
Always ask about licenses and insurance. A good contract will have credentials to back them up and should be a member of some industry organization that shows he or she has the skills to carry out your project according to laws and regulations in your area. Insurance to back up any mishaps or accidents that might occur is your safety net, and it’s also a way of knowing if you’re dealing with a shady contractor or a reputable one. If a contractor or his crew won’t work for you if you insist on insurance, then those are people you didn’t want working for you in the first place.
Make sure everything is spelled out in writing! Verbal contracts are difficult to validate, despite being enforceable by law. Contracts should have specific language regarding the nature of the work to be done, the expected date of completion, the materials required to complete the project, and the number of sub-contractors that will be required. The contractor, specifying the payment plan, will give an estimate of the cost of the job to you and the contractor should stand by this estimate. Always be sure that your contract clearly states that you will not be held responsible for cost overruns.
Before the renovation job is started, some contractors will ask for a large down payment. Create a financing plan that details the down payment, a payment that starts when construction does, and a final payment that occurs at the end of construction. Homeowners sometimes withhold a percentage of the payment until the job is completed, or even offer bonuses for work completed in a timely manner as means to keep contractors on schedule.
Finally, set firm start and finish dates letting the contractor know that you fully expect completion on schedule. It’s wise to have your contract state that there will be a financial penalty for each day the job runs behind schedule. If the contractor is sure of his abilities and his estimate, he will agree to these terms. With some basic business savvy, you can have exactly what you want, when you want it.
About the Author
Garris Thorntenson has been with a major contractor firm for commercial construction and has seen the good, bad, and ugly. He knows construction projects need to be protected with Environmental contractors insurance and things like Construction liability insurance. For California, Nevada he recommends the experts at J6 insurance for their knowledge in these specialty areas.
Is it worth getting a contractors licence right now in California?
I’ve been working for a General Contractor for about five years and things are getting slow. I used to get 40hrs a week but now I’m lucky to get 32 hrs.
You really should be thankful you have a job in construction these days.
Being a general contractor in California is a nightmare these days, if you want to be insurance poor and worry about lawsuits everyday then go ahead.
California is facing a double whammy right now, the U.S. economy is in trouble as you know and compounding the problem is California has been one of the most business unfriendly states in the country.
Not only are the high taxes driving businesses out of state, but all the laws, regulations, restrictions, environmental policies and countless lawsuits are leaving business owners no other option but to move out.
So in my opinion, no way!
CONTRACTORS LICENSE BOND CALIFORNIA
In by gone days all a contractor had to do was give the customer good quality and good service and he/she would be set. Then set back and let your customers do your selling for you. They would tell a friend and then that friend would tell a friend. Your phone would be ringing off the hook. I remember as an Architectural designer some days I would have up to four people wanting to schedule appointments for designs. Those days are long gone! But Fear Not! Click Here For Help
