{"id":2463,"date":"2023-08-23T17:25:10","date_gmt":"2023-08-24T00:25:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/contractorslicensingschools.com\/blog\/?p=2463"},"modified":"2023-09-18T18:11:24","modified_gmt":"2023-09-19T01:11:24","slug":"can-a-general-contractor-do-electrical-work-in-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/contractorslicensingschools.com\/blog\/can-a-general-contractor-do-electrical-work-in-california\/","title":{"rendered":"Can a General Contractor Do Electrical Work in California?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>As a general contractor, you have a broad and diverse skillset that covers many areas of construction, from budgeting to hiring to contracts and more \u2013 in addition to the various trade skills you\u2019ve acquired over the years.<\/span><\/p>\n

General contractors know better than anyone that you need specialist knowledge to operate in the various trades that comprise any construction project and rarely do these expertise overlap. Most roofers can\u2019t install and maintain an HVAC system, for example.<\/span><\/p>\n

But as a general contractor, you may have specialist knowledge in addition to your GC skills. You may even be a certified contractor in your former area of expertise. Heck, you might even be in a union.<\/span><\/p>\n

So what if you\u2019re, for example, an <\/span>IBEW electrician<\/span><\/a> who has, over the years, fallen into a more general contractor position? It\u2019s a common career path for many apprentice electricians \u2013 you start wiring systems and within a decade you\u2019re running your own business, hiring electricians to work for you.<\/span><\/p>\n

With that in mind, as a general contractor in California, can you perform electrical work? Can you say, \u201cOh, I\u2019ll take care of the electrical\u201d in a new building or a refurb or a commercial project? What are the limits to the electrical jobs you can take as a gen con?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a look.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

General Contractors vs. Electrical Contractors<\/span><\/h2>\n

A general contractor, often referred to in California as a <\/span>Class “B” contractor,<\/span><\/a> is a construction professional who oversees a construction project.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A general contractor manages all aspects of the project, from obtaining building permits to hiring subcontractors, scheduling inspections, and ensuring that the work is completed according to plan.\u00a0 They are essentially the directors of the project, overseeing every aspect of the project through to completion.<\/span><\/p>\n

In some cases, general contractors may hold multiple licenses, including trade licenses like electrical or HVAC specialties. Whether or not the general contractor can perform their licensed trade on the same project they are gen conning for depends on a number of factors.<\/span><\/p>\n

Electrical work, meanwhile, is a <\/span>Class C license<\/span><\/a> \u2013 a specialized field that involves the installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical systems. This work is typically performed by a licensed electrician who is classified as a <\/span>C-10 contractor in California.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Electrical work is a critical component of any construction project. It involves the installation of wiring and circuits, the placement of outlets and switches, and the connection of electrical appliances. It also includes the installation of lighting fixtures, the setup of electrical panels, and the grounding of electrical systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a general contractor with a background or certification in electrical work, you might be tempted to save some money (and put more money in your pocket) by hiring out your electrical work. You might think: \u201cHmm, I could probably just do all this myself.\u201d We\u2019ve got one more thing to define, then we\u2019ll find out.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The C-10 License<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re a general contractor with an electrician\u2019s background, you definitely already know about the C-10 license.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A C-10 electrical contractor is a professional who has met the specific requirements set by the CSLB for performing electrical work. These requirements include passing a trade examination and having at least four years of journey-level experience in the electrical trade<\/span>2<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

C-10 electrical contractors are experts in their field. They have a deep understanding of electrical systems and the safety protocols that must be followed when working with electricity. They are trained to handle a wide range of electrical tasks, from simple installations to complex wiring projects.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Do You Have To Subcontract Out Electrical Work If You\u2019re A GC with A C-10?<\/span><\/h2>\n

With all the definitions out of the way, let\u2019s get down to business. We know that you <\/span>probably could<\/span><\/i> do your own electrical work as a GC with a C-10 License, without anyone knowing. But can you face legal consequences for doing so?<\/span><\/p>\n

In other words, can you perform electrical work as a general contractor if you have a C-10 license? Or do you <\/span>always<\/span><\/i> have to subcontract out that work?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The good news is that California really doesn\u2019t care. If you are a Class B General Contractor <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> you have a valid C-10 Electrical Contractor\u2019s License, you can choose whether you want to subcontract out the work or not.<\/span><\/p>\n

IN short, if you are a C-10 licensed electrician, you are good to go!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pros and Cons of Subcontracting Electrical Work As A General Contractor<\/span><\/h2>\n

Now, you might see the cost savings of doing your own electrical work as a general contractor \u2013 but that doesn\u2019t mean you should <\/span>always<\/span><\/i> do electrical work on every project. There\u2019s always trade-offs when it comes to choosing to do the work yourself or hire it out.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a few pros and cons for hiring out electrical work when you\u2019re a general contractor with a C-10 license.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pros<\/b><\/p>\n