For your contracting business, productivity is the way that you keep the money rolling in. The trouble is that knowing the best way to be productive isn’t always obvious. If you’re new to running a business, you might not know the most efficient routes to increase productivity without running yourself into the ground. Here are five things that you can try.

Set Deadlines
Within each project, there are lots of tasks that you need to do. Every task has individual parts that you have to complete. Depending on how long each part takes, you may need to set deadlines to ensure that you complete them on time. When a project is weeks or months long, it’s easy to assume that you will be able to follow a checklist in a linear fashion and arrive on time. Unfortunately, failure to plan accounts for a lot of late project deliveries. Set deadlines for your work, but make sure that they’re realistic. You might have to do some research before knowing how much time you need.

Keep Track of Your Time
It’s easy to lose yourself in a task, but keeping track of your time helps you know where it goes. Set defined hours for each responsibility you have throughout the day, and don’t forget time for breaks and lunch. Don’t feel pressured to book out every 15 minutes. If you’re not sure how long a task should take, take simple notes throughout the day that show when you transitioned from one step to another. After a few days, you should have a sense for the average amount of time needed. That way, when you set a schedule, you’ll be more likely to get it right.

Stop Trying to Multitask
Experts say that no one really knows how to multitask. Some people are better at shifting quickly from one task to another and back again, but that is still not the same as multitasking. Computers have the ability to devote processing power to multiple jobs at once, but humans aren’t computers. When you’re trying to do too many jobs at the same time, you run the risk of doing all of them slowly and badly. If you need to spend some time monitoring others while you work on your own tasks, set reminders for yourself to shift into supervisory mode. It will be easier for you to actually monitor others when you are not trying to get something else done at the same time.

Improve Your Delegating Skills
Everyone says that when you run a business, you have to be able to delegate. What they don’t tell you is how to get better at that. Early attempts at delegation can be faulty, because you didn’t give someone enough information to complete the task, or you assigned them a task that they simply can’t do. This doesn’t mean that delegation doesn’t work, or that your employees or subcontractors don’t know how to get work done. Rethink it. When you plan out your project, make a list of tasks that the people underneath you are likely to be able to complete at a reasonable level of quality. Note the information that they will need, and make sure that they have it. Over time, you will feel more comfortable delegating responsibilities to them.

Minimize Meetings
Meetings can be an important tool to ensure that everyone is on the same page, and provide real-time feedback on the status of a project. It doesn’t mean that meetings are always necessary or even the best way to make decisions and convey information. Some people love to hold meetings if only to hear themselves talk. But that approach can waste a lot of time, even if it feels like you’re being productive. Before you schedule a meeting, ask yourself if it might be easier and faster to do via email or even text message. For meetings that are necessary, set a defined goal and finish on time.

Productivity is a big part of your contracting business success. These tips can take it to the next level. To get high-level preparation for the contractor licensing exam, contact CSLS today!

If you have never run your own business, you might not be sure how to get started. Although there are tons of guides online designed to help you get your business off the ground, it’s not as obvious how to make success easier to achieve. Here are five things you can do.

Don’t Make Hasty Decisions
If you talk to anyone who has run a successful business for many years, they may tell you that there were certain points where the success of the business hung on a single important decision. When you are first running a business, you may not know which decisions will make the difference between success and failure. That’s why you should invest the time to think through all your options, and avoid deciding on a whim. Give yourself at least a few hours, if not a day or two to make a big choice. Even if you feel like none of your options are good, the investment will help you to feel that you have done everything you can.

Do Your Homework
Learning your trade requires a lot of practice and a decent amount of homework. You’ll find that it is just the beginning of the work that you will do for your contracting business. Every aspect of your business requires research, and you’ll make better decisions if you put in the time before you determine:

• How to hire reliable employees
• The best suppliers in the area
• Quality business services to outsource marketing, payroll and more
• Which products and equipment to buy

Being a well-rounded business consumer sets you up to avoid pitfalls and get the most for your money.

Grow Sustainable
In the first couple of years of your business, you may have periods of time when you have too many work opportunities to complete with the time you have. This can be a great time for business growth, but you need to make sure that you can do it sustainably. Growing too quickly may make it harder to run your business, requiring you to expand administrative services in order to accommodate new employees, complicated equipment inventory and more. You need to make sure that you can keep up with it. Adding layers of complication to your business gradually allows you to make changes as needed and avoid increasing costs too rapidly.

Work With People You Trust
Life is too short to spend your time surrounded by people that you do not trust or respect. While you might not always have the best choices for employees, subcontractors or suppliers, there’s definitely something to be said for being selective. Spend time searching for people who do good work and are easy to work with, then focus on cultivating those relationships. Listen to your instincts when you get the feeling that someone isn’t on the level. And don’t forget to invest in building these relationships from your end, as well. Work hard to establish yourself as a business owner worthy of trust and respect.

Outsource When Necessary
As a business owner, you will probably have more work that has to be done than time you have available to do it. You might be able to get on for a short time by doing most of it yourself, but you may need to consider outsourcing services on occasion. Outsourcing can be expensive, which is difficult to justify when your income isn’t predictable. But there’s a lot of benefit to be had in knowing that the work will be done, even if you don’t have the time to do it. Making a judicious choice to outsource something like accounting could help keep your business’s finances going from day to day.

Running a business is one of the hardest things you’ll ever do, but there are ways to make it better. For more tips on what you’ll need to become a licensed contractor, contact CSLS today!

If you’re in the construction business and work on residential or commercial properties, then you may need to be licensed as a class “C” contractor. 

This guide will help you understand what kind of work requires a Class C license, the time it takes to get your license, what kind of projects you can work on, and how much it costs to get a Class C contractor license.

Types of Contractor’s Licenses

A contractor license is designed for construction professionals who only perform certain specified tasks within the state of California. The following types of licenses are available:

• General Building Contractor License (Class “B”)
• Residential Remodeling Contractor License (Class “B-2”)
• Specialty Contractor License (Class “C”)

General Contractor License

A general contractor license is required to perform any type of construction work. If you plan on completing any of the following tasks, then you must have a general contractor license:

• Building new structures from the ground up
• Renovating or remodeling existing buildings
• Repairing roofs and other exterior structures
• Installing pool decks or retaining walls

General contractors are responsible for the entire project and must hire subcontractors to complete specific tasks. For example, if your job involves building a garage addition onto an existing house, you will need to find a skilled carpenter who can build the framing and other components that make up this structure.

Specialty Contractor License

The Speciality Contractor License in California – also known as a Class “C” license – is for specialized contractors working in specific trades in the construction industry.

If you work as, or plan to work as, a professional in one of the following industries, you need a specialty contractor license:

• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)
• Plumbing 
• Electrical work
• Boiler, hot-water heating and steam-fitting
• Insulation and acoustical
• Concrete
• Drywall
• Elevator
• Demolition
• Masonry
• Lathing and plastering
• Refrigeration
• Solar
• Well drilling
• Welding

This is just a small sample of the types of specialized tradework that requires a Class C license – the CSLB has over 60 classifications of construction work that requires a Class C license! 

In effect, you will need a Class C license if you are doing any work on a home where you are not a general contractor or engineer, or if you are doing any remodeling work. Any specialized construction trade requires you to have a Class C license.

How Do I Get A Class C Contractor’s License?

Getting your Class C Contractor’s License from the CSLB is a straightforward process. 

You must have 4 years experience in your specific line of work, pass the CSLB examinations, post your $25,000 Contractor’s Bond and pay the fees associated with the Class C license.

Once you receive your license, you’re now legally able to perform work in your trade on any job site, so long as you are performing only the type of work you are licensed to perform.

When does my Class C Contractor’s License expire?

Like every other CSLB license, your Class C license will expire 2 years from the date of issuance.

No need to worry about remembering to renew your license – the CSLB will send you a renewal reminder 60 days before your license is set to expire.

Need help getting your Class C license? CSLS has all the resources you need to get your Class C contractor’s license as quickly and painlessly as possible. Sign up for our courses today and get your license as soon as possible!

A California contractor license is necessary to do any construction work in California that costs more than $500. In reality, almost every construction job in the state requires you to have a contractor’s license.

Here’s our guide to getting your CSLB contractor license as soon as possible.

California Contractor’s License 3-step Guide
Getting your CSLB license takes 3 steps.

1. Apply for a license
2. Pass the CSLB examination
3. Pay your fees & submit paperwork

It’s that easy. Below you can find everything you need to get your license as soon as possible!

What kind of license do I need?
In California, you need a contractor license to do any work that costs more than $500. 

The easiest kind of contractor’s license is a Class “B” Contractor’s License. This license allows you to do general contracting work. 

There are also licenses for specialty contracting work called a Class “C” Contractor’s License. These are for jobs like plumbing or electrical.

In order to be licensed, you need to have 4 years’ journey-level experience and to pass the CSLB examination. 

Who is responsible for giving out licenses?
The Contractors State Licensing Board, or CSLB, is the agency responsible for giving out contractor licenses.

In order to be a general contractor in California, you have to go through the process the CSLB has created.

The most important thing the CSLB does is the CSLB exam. This 2-part exam verifies a contractor’s skills and ensures safe, quality construction work in California.

Where can I get my license?
In order to pass the CSLB examination and become a licensed contractor, you need to take the examination. This examination is only available in person and cannot be taken online. 

It can also be taken at home or at your place of work, but you need special permission from the CSLB for this, which can add time to getting your license.

In order to submit your application, you need to send your application to the CSLB headquarters at the following address:

CSLB Headquarters
Contractors State License Board
P.O. Box 26000
Sacramento, CA 95826-0026

You can take the CSLB examination in the following cities: Berkeley, Fresno, Norwalk, Oxnard, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, and San Jose.

How long does it take to get my contractor’s license?
You can take the CSLB examination at any time, but you need to schedule your examination in advance.

Once you take your test, it takes roughly 1 month for you to receive your results (as of December 2022).

From start to finish, the whole process from application to receiving your license currently takes about 4-6 weeks.  

How do I start my contracting business in California?
The quickest way to get started is to schedule a time to take the CSLB examination. 

To do so, go to the CSLB website – www.cslb.ca.gov – and submit an application for your CSLB contractor license.

You’ll receive your examination information, then it’s up to you to pass the test and get your license. 

Passing the CSLB examination the first time is the quickest and cheapest way to get your CSLB license. Every time you fail the exam, it costs $100 to re-take the exam – not to mention the money lost from waiting to take it again.

Let CSLS help you pass the exam the first time with our CSLB examination courses. We can teach you everything you need to get your contractor’s license as quickly as possible – so you can start your contracting business today!

Are you a contractor performing work in California? Then you need a CSLB Contractor’s License. 

Although there are a number of contractor’s licenses covering a number of different types of work (like HVAC, plumbing, and so on), the most common type of contractor’s license you’ll need is a Class “B” General Building Contractor’s License.

What is a Class B License?
A B-Class or Class “B” Contractor’s License is a requirement for anyone performing contracting work in California that costs more than $500. 

Since most jobs will cost more than that, if you’re doing any sort of general contracting work in California, you will need a Class B license or face severe penalties.

According to the CSLB’s website, a California general building contractors license allows a contractor to build a house or a shelter as long as framing or at least two unrelated trades are being performed. 

For example, a general contractor cannot bid and perform on a project that only requires electrical work to be performed, but a general contractor can subcontract this work to a licensed electrician.

If the project requires both electrical and plumbing work, the general contractor can bid and perform on this contract.

As a general building contractor, you can not take any contracts that involve only one trade, unless the one trade is framing or carpentry.

Requirements for applying for a Class B license
The requirements for obtaining a B-Class License are:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Have 4 years of verifiable experience and skills necessary to manage the daily activities of a construction business, including field supervision. In other words, 4 years of on-site work as a journeyman, foreman, supervisor, or contractor in general construction
• Obtain a Contractor’s Bond of $15,000. This amount will be raised to $25,000 in 2023.
• Pass The CSLB Exams. You must pass two examinations to get your Class B License – one law and business exam and one trade exam.

How do I get my Class B General Contractor’s License?
The steps to get your B-Class CSLB license are actually very straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting your B-Class license.

• Determine your eligibility. Do you meet all the requirements laid out above?
• Apply for the test. Submit your application, pay the fees required, and send a fingerprint sample for a background check.
• Schedule an exam. Set a date for when you want to take the test.
• Pass the examinations. Take the two CSLB exams. 
• Become certified! After you pass the exam, your license will be issued, so long as you can provide your Contractor’s Bond and pay the additional fees needed to receive your license. It takes about a week after your license is issued to receive your certificate!

Taking the CSLB Exam
The hardest part for contractors is the difficult CSLB exam. Many contractors will be just fine handling the trade part of the exam, but a large number of contractors struggle with the other part: the law and business exam.

The law and business exam is filled with many small details concerning old and rare laws. Without proper preparation, many good contractors can fail to get their licenses. 

CSLS offers everything you need when it comes to passing the Class B General Contracting examination on the first try. Learn more about how CSLS can help you get your contracting license today!

Passing the CSLB Licensing Exams can be extremely difficult for those taking it the first time (or the third or tenth time!). 

While most contractors will be familiar with most of the questions on the Trade Exam, the Law and Business Exam contains a number of difficult questions that could lead to a failing grade – and a delay in getting your California contractor’s license.

A delayed license means lost time – and in the construction world, that’s money left on the table that could instead be in your pocket. You can avoid losing time and money by passing the CSLB Licensing Exam the first time by following these tips when preparing for your upcoming CSLB exam.

Identify Your Weaknesses
The most important thing to narrow in on when you’re studying for the CSLB Exam is knowing where to focus your time and energy – what areas do you need to spend the most time on?

For many contractors, this is going to be the Law and Business Exam, which is filled with a lot of unfamiliar and specific laws and guidelines.

Before you even start studying, it’s crucial that you spend the time at the beginning finding the areas that you should spend the most time on, so you don’t waste time studying subjects that you already know well.

Break Up The Work
When studying, it’s important that you break up the work in ways that allow you to best retain the information. Breaking subjects and topics into smaller chunks will give you the best chance to be able to answer the many specific questions you will face on the exam.

Break up your studying into small pieces that you can become an expert in a small amount of time. Maybe you spend a week focused on one particular subject, so you can master a single subject before moving onto the next one. Maybe you focus on the things that are most difficult to you first, so you can get the hardest things out of the way first.

There’s a lot of information on the CSLB exams, so breaking it up into small pieces is the only way to effectively learn all of it.

Teach It To Others
The best way to learn is to teach the information you are learning to another person. During the course of your preparation for the exam, you may find it extremely helpful to teach the knowledge you’ve gained to someone else.

You may annoy your family and friends, but teaching others the concepts you’ve learned will help strengthen your memory – and help you pass the exam the first time.

Practice Exams
Practice makes perfect, and the CSLB examination is no different. It’s important to constantly test yourself as you prepare for the exam, to make sure that you are progressing in a way that will allow you to pass the test.

Practice exams will also allow you to see your progress – as you continue to study, your score should continue going up as you practice and retain more information. It will also help you feel more comfortable on the day of the exam, as many practice exams will reflect the exact same format as the actual exam.

Get Guidance
The CSLB exam can be extremely difficult even if you’re prepared. It’s almost impossible without any preparation or help.

If you’re worried about passing the CSLB exams – and want to give yourself the best possible chance of passing your first time – CSLS has everything you need to succeed. 

With a series of CSLB-specific prep classes, a series of practice exams for you to test yourself, and accessibility for Spanish speakers, CSLS can help you pass the CSLB exam the first time, so you can start making more money right now. Learn more about CSLS’s exam prep classes and practice exams today!

If you’re a construction contractor in California working on jobs over $500, you have to have a license with the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) in order to legally perform work in the state. 

However, there are a number of different classes of licenses provided by the CSLB, all of which cover different areas of construction in California. 

It can be confusing to know exactly which type of license you need for a particular job – so let’s take a look at the various licenses to make sure you know exactly which type of license you need.

Class A – General Engineering Contractor
The Class “A” license is the General Engineering Contractor’s license. This license is specifically for engineers – for people whose “principal business is in connection with fixed works requiring specialized engineering knowledge and skill.”

You need a Class A license if your business involves specialized engineering knowledge in areas such as: irrigation, drainage, harbors, hydroelectric projects, airports, tunnels, bridges, parks, streets, sewage, and so on.

The Class A license is for engineers who have a 4-year degree in engineering. You must still fulfill all the other obligations of the other CSLB licenses.

Class B – General Building Contractor
The most popular of all the CSLB licenses, the Class B General Building Contractor License is for any contractor whose business involves building homes or shelters for people, animals or other property. 

A Class B license is required for:

• Anyone building a structure built as a home or other shelter for people, animals or property
• Any construction of a structure involving at least two trades
• Jobs over $500

A person with a Class B License can:

• Oversee full construction of structures designed for shelter of people, animals, or property
• Perform any carpentry or framing work
• Subcontract out trade work

A person with a Class B License cannot:

• Take a contract for trade work involving anything other than framing or carpentry unless it involves two unrelated trades other than framing or carpentry
• Take any subcontract for trade work involving trades other than carpentry or framing, unless the subcontract requires two unrelated trades other than carpentry or framing

Class B-2 – Residential Remodeling Contractor
A Class B-2 contract is very similar to the Class B contract, but it is for people whose sole business is remodeling, or as the CSLB puts it: “a contractor whose contracting business is…to make improvements on or in an existing residential wood frame structure.”

A Class B-2 License is required for:

• Anyone who does remodeling of existing structures as their primary business
• Jobs over $500

A person with a Class B-2 License can:

• Work on any remodeling project involving three unrelated building trades
• Take prime contracts for trades or crafts such as drywall, flooring, siding, painting and so no.
• Self-perform or subcontract any trades out to licensed subcontractors

A person with a Class B-2 License cannot:

• Work on any job that requires a build from scratch – it must be remodeling
• Work on any remodeling jobs that require less than 3 unrelated trades
• Do fire protection, asbestos abatement, or well drilling work without the appropriate specialty license

Class C – Specialty Contractor’s License
A Class C license from the CSLB is required for anyone whose operations require special skills and whose contracting business requires the use of these specialized building skills. There are currently 65 different specialties that require a Class C license.

Essentially, you need a Class C license if you are a specialty tradesperson as your primary contracting business.

If you perform any specialized work in the following trades, you need a Class C License from the CSLB:

• Insulation and acoustical
• Boiler, Hot-Water Heating, and Steam Fitting
• Framing and Rough Carpentry
• Cabinet, Millwork, and Finish Carpentry
• Low Voltage Systems
• Concrete
• Drywall
• Electrical
• Elevator
• Earthwork and Paving
• Fencing
• Flooring and Floor Covering
• Fire Protection
• Glazing
• Warm-Air Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC)
• Building Moving/Demolition
• Asbestos Abatement
• Ornamental Metal
• Landscaping
• Lock and Security Equipment
• Masonry
• Construction Zone Traffic Control
• Parking and Highway Improvement
• Painting and Decorating
• Pipeline
• Lathing and Plastering
• Plumbing
• Refrigeration
• Roofing
• Sanitation System
• Sheet Metal
• Sign
• Solar
• General Manufactured Housing
• Reinforcing Steel
• Structural Steel
• Swimming Pool
• Ceramic and Mosaic Tile
• Water Conditioning
• Well Drilling
• Welding

Which One Do I Need?
Which Contractor’s License you need from the CSLB depends on what kind of contracting you do primarily for your job.

If you’re an engineer, you need a Class “A” License.

If you’re a general contractor, you need a Class “B” License.

If you’re a remodeling contractor, you need a Class “B-2” License.

If you’re a tradesperson working in a specialized field of work, you need a Class “C” License.

Whatever license you need from the CSLB, CSLS can help you get there with extensive courses that will arm you with the knowledge you need to pass the CSLB exam and become a licensed contractor. Start your contracting business today with CSLS!

As temperatures rise across California and air-conditioning puts a greater strain on the state’s power grid, the likelihood of power outages increases – especially in the hotter months. 

Contractors need to be prepared for possible blackouts or brownouts on their job sites. Just because the power’s out doesn’t mean clients become less demanding or that timelines increase.

Here’s how you can be prepared for power outages on your construction site.

How Much Power Do You Need On A Construction Site?
The first step in making a strong power plan for your construction site is knowing how much power you need. Make a list of your most common equipment that you use on your jobs and the power each of them requires.  Don’t forget tools you wouldn’t normally associate with construction – like phones, computers, fans and so on.

Identify the amount of energy all of these pieces of equipment require and you’ll be able to figure out exactly how much power you need to run your site.

Use Batteries Where Possible
Whenever possible, try to use equipment that can run on batteries as a backup. This way, if the outlets aren’t working, you have a stable source of energy for your equipment that doesn’t require electricity. 

The good thing about batteries is you can stockpile them – you’re only limited by the amount of batteries you have and how charged they are. They also don’t require ventilation like fuel-powered equipment does, giving you more flexibility for use.

Make sure you’re charging as many batteries as you could possibly need before days where blackouts might occur – it’s much better to be safe than sorry.

Generators Are Necessary
Even if you have gear with batteries, you need somewhere to charge the used ones. A backup generator (or two) is absolutely necessary on construction jobs where you might lose power. 

Nowadays, any decent-sized generator will be able to charge electronic devices quickly and effectively, so you can always have fresh batteries on hand. 

Just make sure you know how to use your generator, that it can be placed in an outdoor area with plenty of ventilation for the exhaust, and that you have enough fuel to last as long as the outage.

Plan Ahead
Realistically, you don’t have to drag your generator to every job site – usually you can find out in advance when and where blackouts are likely to occur.

Sustained heat puts a lot of stress on the power grid across California. You can find information about where and when to expect blackouts on your local energy provider’s website ahead of time. On those days, make sure you’re prepared.

Being blackout-prepared is just one tiny skill that a contractor needs to know. Enroll in CSLS today to learn everything you need to be a successful licensed contractor in California!

Site shutdowns can happen for any number of reasons – loss of funding, safety issues, natural disasters, political issues, and so on. A site shutdown that is beyond your control is an inevitability for contractors – it’s a matter of “when” , not “if”.

When you’re not on site, any number of things can happen. The most common issues contractors run into are fires, water and weather damage, as well as theft and vandalism.

So how can you protect your job site while you wait for permission to start work again? Here’s a few different things to take care of before you shut the whole thing down.

Make A “Stop Work” Plan
As contractors, we should always be planning for the worst case scenario to happen. Construction is an extremely volatile industry prone to random stoppages – so having a plan to deal with anything is critical.

To deal with any situation where you have to stop work immediately, having a plan for stopping work – a “Stop Work” Plan – goes a long way. 

This plan contains all of the protocols and procedures for shutting down a worksite safely and effectively, so that you’re protected from the risks that come along with having to stop work. 

This plan will include precautions to take with regards to weather, water, fire, theft, vandalism, trespassing, destruction, and general public safety with regards to the jobsite. Here’s a few ways to deal with these in your Stop Work plan.

Fire
To fireproof your site, always make sure you remove anything flammable or combustible from the job site. This includes electronics like space heaters. 

Ensure your fire sprinkler systems are working, if you intend to maintain them during non-operation. If they’re not active, drain the lines and secure the main water supply valves to prevent use.

Water
Make sure your job is waterproof by shutting off any domestic water supply to the site. Search the site thoroughly for any leaks or running water and make sure they are taken care of before leaving the site.

Don’t leave anything that’s unsealed or temporarily sealed to weather, along with any walls or exposed roofs. Set up some sort of leak detection technology to ensure that water doesn’t ruin all your hard work while you’re gone.

Weather
Ensure everything that could be affected by weather is properly protected and secured. 

Cover lumber, drywall or anything that could rot by simply being exposed to moisture. Protect any electric outlets from exposure to the elements. Disassemble and remove anything that could break, snap or otherwise be destroyed by winds or moisture. 

Theft/Vandalism
Continuous security is necessary to keep your assets protected. 

At the very least, build a fence around the perimeter of the site, and ensure it is constantly maintained. All gates should be locked with padlocks to deter entry. Secure all work trailers or storage with heavy locks.

Continuous security of your construction site also means foot patrols, motion detectors and video security systems. You need to keep eyes on your site at all times, both in-person and remotely.

The easiest way to stop theft or vandalism is to remove anything valuable from your site – give thieves no reason to enter the site in the first place. Easily-removed tech like computers or tablets should be taken to a storage facility until work begins again. 

These are the easiest ways to protect against the most common threats facing a closed jobsite. Learn more best practices for construction sites (and become your own boss) by enrolling at CSLS today!