Legal Question in Construction Law in California

Re: Do I need a contractor's license?

You almost certainly need a license. The definition of a contractor is extremely broad. Take a look at Business and Professions Code section 7026: "any person who undertakes, offers to undertake, purports to have the capacity to undertake, or submits a bid to construct, alter, repair, add to, subtract from, improve, move, wreck, demolish, or clean any building, highway, road, parking facility, railroad, excavation, or other structure, project, development, or improvement."

Also, forget about the supposed exemption for work under $500. That only applies if you hand the client the written warning in B&P code section 7048(b) and tell the client you're not licensed. For the most part, this will chase away any potential clients.

Bottom line: get the license.

Re: Do I need a contractor's license?

i do not have the faintist knowlege or idea what you are talking about --- so for me resubmit your quetions with more facts and understandable

Re: Do I need a contractor's license?

The best way to answer your question is to refer to the Contractor State License Board website www.cslb.ca.gov/consumers/default.asp. It appears that you may fall under a C-7 license requirement. You may also need to have a home improvement salesperson registration to do residential work.

If your projects are always under $500 total, you may be considered a handyman which does not require a license. Under no circumstances should you break up a project into smaller pieces to circumvent the licensing requirement, as the penalties for contracting without a license are harsh. Be careful and follow the rules and you will be O.K.