How much can a California contractor ask for upfront?
The contractors in California have a maximum upfront fee of $1,000 or 10 percent of the project’s full price. To determine which one your contractor’s maximum will be, choose the lesser value of the two. The upfront costs cannot have additional fees added to the maximum for materials, either.
Who regulates contractors in California?
The Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) protects California consumers by licensing and regulating the state’s construction industry. CSLB was established in 1929 and today licenses about 290,000 contractors in 44 different license classifications.
How do I get a copy of my California contractors license?
Licensees may request copies of their own files at no charge, but must enclose a check for $2 if certification is required. The fee must accompany your request. Attach a money order or a personal, business, certified, or cashier’s check made payable to the Registrar of Contractors.
Should you pay a contractor half up front?
A: It’s not uncommon for contractors to ask for a down payment up front to secure your spot on their schedule or purchase some of the job materials in advance. Asking for more than half of the project cost up front, though, is a big red flag. I recommend tying payments to progress made during the job.
How much deposit should you pay a contractor?
While some reputable contractors will request a full 33% deposit, others will ask for a deposit as little as 10% before beginning a job.
Can a felon be a contractor in California?
Can I become a contractor in California if I have a criminal conviction? (7-year rule) The CSLB may generally grant licenses to applicants with a criminal conviction within the past seven (7) as long as the offense is not substantially related to the qualifications, functions, or duties of being a contractor.
How long does it take to get a contractors license in California?
You should expect the CSLB to take several months (currently 3 to 4 months) to process your application.
What is the difference between an RMO and an RME?
The difference is the individual’s title. RMO stands for Responsible Managing Officer, so the person would need to be an Officer of the corporation. If the person is not an Officer, they would be an RME, which stands for Responsible Managing Employee. RME’s can only Qualify one license at a time.
How to find a CSLB contractor in California?
To get a list of licensed contractors in any area of California, simply enter either a city or zip code and pick the license classification you want. You’ll get a randomly generated list of all eligible contractors in that license classification whose CSLB license of record is in the area you entered.
How to check a contractor’s California license number?
Before hiring a contractor or signing a contract, CSLB recommends you read the Hiring a Contractorpage. Enter the contractor license number to check the status of their license. Contractor License # SEARCH TIPS A California contractor license number doesn’t contain alphabetic characters.
Can a contractor with a C specialty license do a job?
A “B” contractors may contract for specialty work, but only if they also hold a “C” specialty license for that work or hire a licensed specialty contractor do that work. “B” contractors cannot legally do a job if it only involves one trade.
What kind of work can A B contractor do?
“B” contractors are typically responsible for construction of buildings, housing, commercial properties, offices, etc. A “B” contractors may contract for specialty work, but only if they also hold a “C” specialty license for that work or hire a licensed specialty contractor do that work.