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CSLS Construction Connection

Contractors State License Services is committed to the continued growth and education of your career as a licensed contractor. It is our intention to provide you with valuable information of what's new in the construction industry, important events that you may want to attend, and helpful business and exam preparation tips. You can also stay connected with CSLS through Facebook, Twitter, Linked in and You Tube.

• CA CONTRACTORS LICENSE LAW & REFERENCE BOOK
• DID YOU KNOW?
• CSLS SCHOLARSHIP
• ENERGY TIPS
• CLIENT MANAGEMENT

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The California Contractors License Law & Reference Book

The California Contractors License Law & Reference book is a valuable tool for anyone interested in becoming a licensed contractor in the state of California. The book is published annually and contains critical information regarding getting your license, maintaining and changing your license, information regarding different license classifications and valuable information regarding business management, license law, Board rules and regulations. For easy reference, new laws becoming effective in 2011 are summarized in the beginning of the publication. You will also find the CSLB mission and history and background. The book also includes a Windows based CD. With continual changes in contracting law, this book provides an easy reference tool to help contractors meet the challenge of maintaining a professional and lawful business. You can purchase The California Contractors License Law & Reference book through the online bookstore at www.MakeMeAContractor.com.

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Energy Tips to Be Aware of During the Summer Months

Here are several energy tips that the EPA published that we should all be aware of with the summer months around the corner. Share these with your customers; there might be some potential to make a few dollars by helping your customers implement these strategies this summer.
The average home spends almost 20 percent of its utility bill on cooling.  Increased energy production to run cooling systems not only raises costs, it also can contribute to pollution that adversely affects the quality of the air we breathe.  Here are six simple things that can be done to help protect your wallet and the environment:

• Change to More Efficient Light Bulbs. Change out incandescent light bulbs with more energy-efficient lighting choices. Energy Star qualified lighting not only uses less energy, but also produces approximately 75 percent less heat than incandescent lighting, so cooling bills will be reduced, too.
• Find the Best Thermostat Settings. If you have a programmable thermostat, program it to work around your family’s summer schedule—set it a few degrees higher (such as 78 degrees) when no one is home, so your cooling system isn’t cooling an empty house.
• Use Ceiling Fans Optimally. Run your ceiling fan to create a cool breeze. If you raise your thermostat by only two degrees and use your ceiling fan, you can lower cooling costs by up to 14 percent. Remember that ceiling fans cool you, not the room, so when you leave the room make sure to turn off the fan.
• Maximize Shade. Pull the curtains and shades closed before you leave your home to keep the sun’s rays from overheating the interior of your home. If you can, move container trees and plants in front of sun-exposed windows to serve as shade.
• Check Air Conditioner Filters. Check your cooling system’s air filter every month. If the filter looks dirty, change it. A good rule is to change the filter at least every three months. A dirty filter will slow air flow and make the system work harder to keep you cool—wasting energy. Also, remember to have your system serviced annually to ensure it’s running at optimum efficiency for money and energy savings.
• Plug Duct System Leaks. As much as 20 percent of the air moving through your home’s duct system is lost due to leaks and poor connections. Seal duct work using mastic sealant or metal tape and insulate all the ducts that you can access (such as those in attics, crawlspaces, unfinished basements, and garages). Also, make sure that connections at vents and registers are well-sealed where they meet floors, walls, and ceilings. These are common locations to find leaks and disconnected ductwork.

More information on ways to cut energy costs this summer:  http://www.energystar.gov/cooltips.

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Client Management

Working a job is not just about managing the work flow and your employees; it is often times about managing your clients. Working in construction you run into a variety of different clients that can turn a simple job into a challenge.  Construction can be a very stressful and expensive process for your clients and often they may want to micro manage or cut costs by “helping” or by trying to manipulate more out of you than was contracted.  Learning how to spot these clients up front and having a game plan to manage them can help you to control the situations that arise on the job or help you to avoid doing certain jobs altogether.  Bottom line, you want happy customers and you want to avoid a bad situation.
One of the most important processes that you can do to avoid a bad situation down the road is to make sure that your contracts are specific. Avoid vague terms applied to materials and labor. Your idea of a “medium quality plumbing fixture” might be considerably different than the clients. Assign an allowance for the items so there is no misunderstanding as to the level of quality that you are planning for the job.  
You may find clients who insist on controlling this by purchasing their own materials. In the long run this can cost you time and money.  Be sure to communicate the advantages to them of having you control the purchasing process.  It will prevent possible delays due to incorrect purchases and since you are eligible for wholesale discounts it will ultimately be a benefit to them.  If they are insistent, you can advise that purchases should be at least reviewed by you and that you communicate that you are not to be held responsible for hold-ups due to incorrect purchases that you did not approve.
Some clients try to cut costs by wanting to do part of the job themselves.  This can affect your schedule and the quality of work that reflects ultimately on you. Even if the client is qualified to do work such as painting or demolition make sure they have to time to actually do it so it won’t interfere with your part of the job. And if they aren’t qualified tread carefully so as not to offend. Try reviewing the steps required of the part that he/she wants to do: What is their experience?  Do they have the right tools? Will they need to take time off from their job?  Is this an issue of cost? 
Ultimately communication is critical to keeping your clients happy and keeping the job on time. It is recommended that you schedule a meeting with your client after the contract is signed to go over what has been decided and the job process.  This will help to avoid any uncertainties and any misunderstandings between you and your client.