RMO World

RMO World – Issue 17: March 2023

1000 560 Gal Bigaleizn

Featured in this edition:

  • CSLB Makes Another Bust
  • RMO Agency Beavers Episode 3
  • An RMO Shares Her Experience
  • The BIGGEST Construction Project On the East Coast
  • Got A Story? Lunch Is On Us

Dozen Unlicensed Contractors Cited in Undercover Sting in Central Valley

SACRAMENTO, CA During a two-day undercover sting operation in Tulare, the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) cited a dozen individuals for charging thousands of dollars on home improvement projects. Suspects could face serious fines and/or jail time as a result.

In January, CSLB’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT), in partnership with the California Department of Insurance, went undercover and asked the alleged unlicensed contractors to bid on jobs at a single-family home. Of those invited, 12 were found to be contracting illegally. Eleven individuals were issued a Notice to Appear in criminal court at the sting site while one individual was referred to the Tulare County District Attorney for misdemeanor prosecution for placing a construction bid after leaving the property.

The bids ranged from $790 for flooring to as much as $5,600 for landscaping – all above the legal $500 threshold for contracting without a license. In California, contracting without a license is a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of up to $15,000.

Read Full Story HERE

The RMO Agency Beavers: Episode 3

In this episode, Rowdy needs some help and his RMO from RMO Agency comes to the rescue. If you need an RMO to get you licensed and help you out, call us, and we’ll take care of it all.

Cynthia Shares Her Experience Being An RMO

In this video taken from our holiday Zoom party in December, one of our RMOs, Cynthia shares her experience with RMO Agency. Whether you want to be an RMO or need your license fast, call us today 800-818-4962 ext. 101 Or email: hello@rmoagency.com

The BIGGEST Construction Project On the East Coast

A video we found interesting. It’s the biggest construction project east of the Mississippi. They’re running 20 hours a day working and 4 hours refueling, 6 days a week. What an amazing build!

*Note: RMO Agency is not affiliated with any product endorsements or opinions in this video.

Got A Story? Lunch Is On Us...

Got a successful RMO-Contractor relationship? Meet for lunch, share your story & tips of good RMO practices, send us a video and lunch is on us!

Details apply, terms are stated below and at the end of the video.

Terms: Send the link to your video to:
Story@RMOAgency.com

Receipt required to redeem payment. Payment to be equal to receipt presented or $50, whichever is less. Compensation to be made in the form of a Visa or MC Gift Card. Video Must be 2-5 minutes in length. One submission per person per calendar month. By submitting, you attest the story you share is yours and accurate to the best of your recollection. By submitting you are allowing RMO Agency to use your video for promotional purposes without any further compensation to you or anyone else involved. RMO Agency reserves the right to determine if submissions are appropriate and useable, any submission determined inappropriate or unusable, will not be compensated. 

Your Satisfaction Is Our Success!

Please contact us with any questions at:
Email hello@rmoagency.com
Call 800-818-4962.

Reviews

RMO Agency LLC
5.0
Based on 712 reviews
powered by Google
Amy Singh
Amy Singh
18:48 20 Nov 24
RMO Agency is truly amazing! Without their guidance and expertise, I wouldn’t have been able to obtain my general contractor license. They were incredibly helpful throughout the entire process, making everything so much smoother than I expected. Their knowledge and professionalism are unmatched—they are the real deal! If you’re looking for the best in the business, look no further than RMO Agency. Highly recommend!
Saeid Abbasi
Saeid Abbasi
04:59 16 Nov 24
Mike Salinas
Mike Salinas
17:06 15 Nov 24
Wendy was a great help with assisting us with our new business venture!
See All Reviews
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Graduates

Congratulations to our recent graduates:

  • Iron Roots
  • ABC Home Builders
  • Evergreen Builders Group
  • R Sanchez

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RMO World – Issue 16: February 2023

1000 560 Gal Bigaleizn

Featured in this edition:

  • Love From Our Appreciated Clients
  • 2023 License Law & Reference Book
  • An RMO Shares His Experience
  • Attorney General Issues Warning
  • Price Gouging Laws Remain in Effect
  • Got A Story? Lunch Is On Us

Some Love From Our Appreciated Clients

Since Valentine’s is all about love and appreciation, we thought we would share just a little bit of love from our clients. We appreciate all of you!

“Wow! RMO Agency LLC was such a godsend! I had been trying to secure an RMO for months and finally found this agency. They found someone within a week! The process was so well defined and simple. They provided all the information I needed to succeed and my license was granted in record time. I can’t say enough good things about this company.”

– Cheronda S.

“I’m so thankful to be an RMO for this agency! I have ambitious and responsible contractors who work hard each day. RMO Agency is always there to help us in every situation that happens. I recommend this agency if you’re retired and want to stay active. It’s a great way to spend your day!”

– Cynthia O.

“The RMO Agency has been fantastic to work with. For all your Contractor Licensing needs, I highly recommend this company! Very friendly staff and very knowledgable and helpful. Thank you RMO Agency for all you have done so far and continue to do.”

– Rafi B.

2023 California Contractors License Law & Reference Book Now Available

Purchase your copy or view or download a free PDF

The 2023 edition of the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) California Contractors License Law & Reference Book (Law Book) is now available. The Law Book can be purchased directly from the publisher, or the online PDF version can be viewed or downloaded at no cost on the CSLB website.

The Law Book features a summary of new contracting laws that became effective on January 1, 2023.

The all-inclusive book details CSLB’s history and mission and offers specialized sections about becoming a licensed contractor, maintaining a license, home improvement contracting requirements, business management, and safety regulations. It also contains California’s Business and Professions Code and other construction-related state codes, and Contractors State License Law rules and regulations.

“The 2023 Law Book is an essential guide for members of the California construction industry,” said David Fogt, CSLB Registrar. “This tool can help current contractors manage their business and help potential contractors get information on how to obtain a license.”

The Law Book can only be purchased directly from publisher LexisNexis online or by calling (877) 394-8826. The price is $50.00 plus tax, shipping, and handling.

The Law Book is available as a PDF on the CSLB website and can be downloaded for free.

Thomas Shares His Experience Being An RMO

In this video taken from our holiday Zoom party in December, one of our RMOs, Thomas shares his experience with RMO Agency. Whether you want to be an RMO or need your license fast, call us today 800-818-4962 ext. 101 Or email: hello@rmoagency.com

Attorney General Bonta Warns Against Hiring Unlicensed Contractors

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a consumer alert warning Californians to beware of fake and unlicensed contractors soliciting their services to Californians affected by damage from the recent winter storms.

In this alert, Attorney General Bonta urges Californians to take precautions by hiring only licensed contractors and reminds businesses that price gouging during a state of emergency is illegal under Penal Code Section 396. As noted by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB), anyone who contracts for work in a state or federal natural disaster area without an active state contractor license may be subject to felony charges.

“As Californians recover from the devastating storms, the last thing they should worry about is being scammed by bad actors,” said Attorney General Bonta. “We will not tolerate those who take advantage of consumers during this time of struggle for many. I urge all Californians to be diligent and do their research before making any kind of home repair through a contractor. Additionally, if you believe you have been a victim of price gouging, report it to your local authorities or to my office at oag.ca.gov/report.”

“Disaster survivors take a huge risk when they hire unlicensed contractors,” said CSLB Registrar David Fogt. “Most are not properly insured and likely don’t have the skills or knowledge to perform the work. It is important to verify on CSLB’s website the person you are working with is included on CSLB’s license records.”

Don’t Fall Victim to Unlicensed Contractors

The California Department of Justice works closely with the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) to ensure residents do not fall victim to unlicensed home reparation and reconstruction services. As a reminder, CSLB encourages everyone to check all contractors’ license numbers on the CSLB website and check each contractor’s pocket license to confirm the listed personnel on the license. Complaints against contractors for unlicensed practices and other violations of contractor’s license law can be filed online.

Additional tips and recommendations from CSLB:

  • Don’t rush into repairs or cleanup, no matter how badly they’re needed.
  • Don’t sign over any payment checks from your insurance company.
  • Hire only California-licensed contractors. Ask to see the license. The license number must be on all ads, contracts, and business cards.
  • Don’t pay more than 10 percent down or $1,000 — whichever is less.
  • Don’t pay cash, and don’t let the payments get ahead of the work. Only pay for work as it is completed to your satisfaction.
  • Avoid making the final payment until you’re satisfied with the job.

Price Gouging Laws Remain in Effect

California law generally prohibits charging a price that exceeds, by more than 10%, the price of an item before a state or local declaration of emergency. For any item a seller only began selling after an emergency declaration, the law generally prohibits charging a price that exceeds the seller’s cost of the item by more than 50%. This law applies to those who sell food, emergency supplies, medical supplies, building materials, and gasoline. The law also applies to repair or reconstruction services, emergency cleanup services, certain transportation services, freight and storage services, hotel accommodations, and rental housing. Exceptions to this prohibition exist if, for example, the price of labor, goods, or materials has increased for the business.

Violators of the price gouging statute are subject to criminal prosecution that can result in a one-year imprisonment in county jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Violators are also subject to civil enforcement actions including civil penalties of up to $2,500 per violation, injunctive relief, and mandatory restitution. The Attorney General and local district attorneys can enforce the statute.

For additional information on price gouging, please see oag.ca.gov/consumers/pricegougingduringdisasters.

Got A Story? Lunch Is On Us...

Got a successful RMO-Contractor relationship? Meet for lunch, share your story & tips of good RMO practices, send us a video and lunch is on us!

Details apply, terms are stated below and at the end of the video.

Terms: Send the link to your video to:
Story@RMOAgency.com

Receipt required to redeem payment. Payment to be equal to receipt presented or $50, whichever is less. Compensation to be made in the form of a Visa or MC Gift Card. Video Must be 2-5 minutes in length. One submission per person per calendar month. By submitting, you attest the story you share is yours and accurate to the best of your recollection. By submitting you are allowing RMO Agency to use your video for promotional purposes without any further compensation to you or anyone else involved. RMO Agency reserves the right to determine if submissions are appropriate and useable, any submission determined inappropriate or unusable, will not be compensated. 

Your Satisfaction Is Our Success!

Please contact us with any questions at:
Email hello@rmoagency.com
Call 800-818-4962.

Reviews

RMO Agency LLC
5.0
Based on 712 reviews
powered by Google
Amy Singh
Amy Singh
18:48 20 Nov 24
RMO Agency is truly amazing! Without their guidance and expertise, I wouldn’t have been able to obtain my general contractor license. They were incredibly helpful throughout the entire process, making everything so much smoother than I expected. Their knowledge and professionalism are unmatched—they are the real deal! If you’re looking for the best in the business, look no further than RMO Agency. Highly recommend!
Saeid Abbasi
Saeid Abbasi
04:59 16 Nov 24
Mike Salinas
Mike Salinas
17:06 15 Nov 24
Wendy was a great help with assisting us with our new business venture!
See All Reviews
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Graduates

Congratulations to our recent graduates:

  • Azizi Remodeling Inc
  • Juniper Construction Inc
  • Gold Standard Builders Inc

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RMO World – Issue 15: January 2023

1000 560 Gal Bigaleizn

Issue # 15

January 2023

Featured in this edition:

  • Happy New Year!
  • RMO Agency Holiday Party Highlights
  • New Year, New Laws
  • Fraud Alert
  • Got A Story? Lunch Is On Us

Happy New Year!

New year, new goals. As we head into 2023, RMO Agency is here for you now more than ever!

We look forward to serving you in 2023.
We are here to get you licensed.
We are here to help you make extra income with your existing license.
In 2023, we are here!

Also, if you know someone looking to get licensed, want to add a classification to their business, or seasoned contractors looking to pay it forward as RMOs for new contractors, our refer-a-friend program will pay you $250 for each successful referral! Send them our way and we will discuss the benefits of signing up with RMO Agency!

RMO Agency Holiday Zoom Party

This year we had a fun get-together on Zoom with some of our wonderful RMO’s. We talked, we laughed, and gave away some holiday gifts. Check out this playlist for some of the highlights!

CSLB Reminds Licensees of New Laws Beginning January 1, 2023

Sacramento, CA – Heading into 2023, the Contractors State License Board wants to remind licensees of new laws taking effect in the new year.

SB 216 (Dodd)

This bill requires that by January 1, 2026, all contractors, except for joint ventures without employees, hold valid workers’ compensation insurance, whether or not they have employees. More information about this new law can be found in a November industry bulletin. (Chapter 978, Statutes of 2022)

SB 607 (Min)
This bill updates numerous sections of the BPC, and increases the CSLB qualifier, licensing and application maintenance and service fees, and minimum disciplinary bonds from $12,500 and $15,000, respectively, to $25,000 for all three bonds as of January 1. More information about the bond increase can be found in this industry bulletin issued in September.

SB 1237 (Newman)

This bill updates current law that requires DCA boards, including CSLB, to waive renewal fees for a licensee who is called to active duty as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces or California National Guard if the licensee or registrant is stationed outside of California and expands the definition of “called to active duty”.

AB 2105 (Smith)

This bill requires the board to grant a 50% fee reduction for an initial license or registration fee to an applicant who provides specified documentation to the board that the applicant is a veteran who has served as an active-duty member of the United States Armed Forces and was not dishonorably discharged.

SB 1443 (Roth)

This bill amends the statutory sunset date of CSLB from January 1, 2024, to January 1, 2025. (Chapter 625, Statutes of 2022)

AB 1747 (Quirk)

This bill increases the civil penalty from $8,000 to $30,000 for every violation of building laws and assessment of civil penalties. In addition to building permit violations, the bill includes the failure to comply with certain health and safety laws, water laws, safe excavation requirements, pest control requirements, illegal dumping, and other state laws related to building and insurance requirements. (Chapter 757, Statutes of 2022)

AB 2374 (Bauer-Kahan)

This bill amends Penal Code Section 374.3, which requires courts to notify CSLB or other DCA boards or bureaus when a licensee is convicted of an illegal dumping crime in order for the board to publish it on their website and increases the fines a court may impose for this crime and require responsible persons to remove or pay for the removal of the waste matter that was illegally dumped. (Chapter 784, Statutes of 2022)

AB 2916 (McCarty)

This bill updates the CSLB Letter of Admonishment (LOA) program to allow CSLB to determine whether it should be issued for one or two years, rather than the current one-year limitation. (Chapter 293, Statutes of 2022)

Fraud Alert: Scammers Threaten License Revocation Via Text Message

Story From the CSLB

Sacramento, CA – The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) has learned of a new text message scam targeting licensees. In the most recent scheme, an individual sends a text message to licensees stating, “Inspect your type c and b license immediately for accuracy to avoid revocation” and links to a non-CSLB website.

Please be advised that CSLB staff will never use text message to contact licensees and will not ask for confidential information via text message.

NEVER disclose personal information, such as your full social security number, date of birth, or credit/debit card numbers, without first taking steps to verify that the person requesting the information has a legitimate need for it.

If you receive a text message from an individual asking about the status of your license or attempting to gather personal information or collect payment, please:

Got A Story? Lunch Is On Us...

Got a successful RMO-Contractor relationship? Meet for lunch, share your story & tips of good RMO practices, send us a video and lunch is on us!

Details apply, terms are stated below and at the end of the video.

Terms: Send the link to your video to:
Story@RMOAgency.com

Receipt required to redeem payment. Payment to be equal to receipt presented or $50, whichever is less. Compensation to be made in the form of a Visa or MC Gift Card. Video Must be 2-5 minutes in length. One submission per person per calendar month. By submitting, you attest the story you share is yours and accurate to the best of your recollection. By submitting you are allowing RMO Agency to use your video for promotional purposes without any further compensation to you or anyone else involved. RMO Agency reserves the right to determine if submissions are appropriate and useable, any submission determined inappropriate or unusable, will not be compensated. 

Graduates

Congratulations to our recent graduates:

  • Arbor Co Tree Care
  • Gettler Construction Inc
  • Kyvos Construction Inc
  • Robertson Testing Inc

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RMO World – Issue 14: December 2022

1000 560 Gal Bigaleizn

Issue # 14

December 2022

Featured in this edition:

  • Meet The RMO Agency Beavers
  • Recent Graduate Turned RMO
  • CSLB Workers’ Compensation Insurance Requirements
  • CSLB Reminds Contractors of Progress Payment Restrictions
  • Got A Story? Lunch Is On Us

Introducing the RMO Agency Beavers

Meet Rowdy, Rowie, and Rema, they are the RMO Agency Beavers. Watch their stories below!

Meet Vicki, A Recent Graduate Turned RMO

A recent RMO graduate shares her experience with RMO Agency and why now that she has her own license wants to be an RMO herself. Congratulations Vicki!

CSLB Workers’ Compensation Insurance Requirements

CSLB Shares Additional Details Regarding Workers’ Compensation Insurance Requirement for Four License Classifications

Sacramento, CA – The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) wants to inform active licensees starting January 1, 2023, renewals will not be processed without proof of workers’ compensation insurance for license classifications C-8 (Concrete), C-20 (Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning), C-22 (Asbestos Abatement), and D-49 (Tree Service), regardless of whether the contractor has employees.

As of January 1, 2023, Business & Professions Code Section 7125 will require workers’ compensation insurance as a condition for issuing, reinstating, reactivating, renewing, or maintaining a license in one of these classifications. Section 7125 also requires the removal of these classifications from any license that is not in compliance as of July 1, 2023. CSLB understands and will apply these deadlines in the following manner.

If you hold one of these license classifications:

  • After January 1, 2023, no license in these classifications will be issued, reinstated, reactivated, or renewed without a valid Certificate of Workers’ Compensation Insurance.
  • If you have an active license, do not have employees, and are not due to renew until after June 30, 2023, CSLB will not require you to have proof of workers’ compensation insurance on file until July 1, 2023.

After June 30, 2023, any licensee holding a C-8, C-20, C-22, or D-49 that does not have a Certificate of Workers’ Compensation Insurance on file with CSLB will have that classification removed. Because it may take time to seek and obtain a workers’ compensation insurance policy, CSLB strongly recommends that you not wait until this deadline to obtain a policy and file your certificate.

The new workers’ compensation insurance requirement for C-8, C-20, C-22, and D-49 licensees is the result of Senate Bill 216 which takes effect January 1, 2023. The only exception in SB 216 is for joint venture licenses, which will still be able to file a certificate of exemption if one of the joint venture license entities has a workers’ compensation insurance policy.

SB 216 also requires that all active contractors – with or without employees – have a valid Certificate of Workers’ Compensation Insurance by January 1, 2026.

Need to Know How to File a Certificate of Workers’ Compensation Insurance with CSLB?

  • Information about filing a Certificate of Workers’ Compensation with CSLB can be found on the CSLB website.
  • Licensees can have their insurance company or broker file the certificate of insurance online with CSLB.

Need to Know More about Workers’ Compensation Insurance?

  • Contractors can obtain workers’ compensation coverage from any licensed insurer.
  • The California Department of Insurance has workers’ compensation insurance resources on its website.
  • The State Compensation Insurance Fund provides workers’ compensation coverage to many contractors and offers resources specifically designed for the construction industry. Contractors can obtain an online quote from State Fund on its website.

If licensees in the C-8, C-20, C-22, and D-49 classifications already have a Certificate of Workers’ Compensation Insurance on file with CSLB, this is informational only and no further action is needed.

CSLB Reminds Contractors of Progress Payment Restrictions

Sacramento, CA – The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) wants to remind all contractors that the Business and Professions Code (BPC) restricts payments on home improvement contracts to a maximum down payment of $1,000 and subsequent payments must not exceed the value of materials and work performed, including for residential solar.

BPC sections 7159 and 7159.5 contain mandatory home improvement contract provisions regarding down payments and progress payments for home improvement work. The definition of home improvement includes solar energy systems.

Home improvement contract provisions limit contract payments and require the following language to be in the contract, pursuant to BPC sections 7159(d)(8) and (9).

  • The heading: “Down Payment”
  • A space where the actual amount of the down payment appears
  • The following statement in at least 12-point boldface type: “THE DOWN PAYMENT MAY NOT EXCEED $1,000 OR 10 PERCENT OF THE CONTRACT PRICE, WHICHEVER IS LESS.”
  • Schedule of Payments: If a home improvement contract includes a payment schedule, rather than payment at project completion, the progress payment(s) must show the amount of each payment and explain what work, materials, or services have been completed for that payment, and be preceded by the heading “Schedule of Progress Payments.”
  • The following statement must be included in a contract that provides for a payment schedule in at least 12-point boldface type:
    • “The schedule of progress payments must specifically describe each phase of work, including the type and amount of work or services scheduled to be supplied in each phase, along with the amount of each proposed progress payment.  IT IS AGAINST THE LAW FOR A CONTRACTOR TO COLLECT PAYMENT FOR WORK NOT YET COMPLETED, OR FOR MATERIALS NOT YET DELIVERED. HOWEVER, A CONTRACTOR MAY REQUIRE A DOWN PAYMENT.”

Contractors found to be in violation of home improvement contract law are subject to disciplinary action from the CSLB as well as inclusion on the Public Utilities Commission Watch List. In addition, a violation of BPC section 7159.5 and its provisions regarding down payment and progress payment restrictions is punishable as a misdemeanor.

To ensure you are complying with home improvement contract law, please see CSLB’sContracting for Success Brochure.

Got A Story? Lunch Is On Us...

Got a successful RMO-Contractor relationship? Meet for lunch, share your story & tips of good RMO practices, send us a video and lunch is on us!

Details apply, terms are stated below and at the end of the video.

Terms: Send the link to your video to:
Story@RMOAgency.com

Receipt required to redeem payment. Payment to be equal to receipt presented or $50, whichever is less. Compensation to be made in the form of a Visa or MC Gift Card. Video Must be 2-5 minutes in length. One submission per person per calendar month. By submitting, you attest the story you share is yours and accurate to the best of your recollection. By submitting you are allowing RMO Agency to use your video for promotional purposes without any further compensation to you or anyone else involved. RMO Agency reserves the right to determine if submissions are appropriate and useable, any submission determined inappropriate or unusable, will not be compensated. 

Graduates

Congratulations to our recent graduates:

  • Elite Remodeling Group Inc.
  • Reliance Roofing Inc.

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RMO World – Issue 13: November 2022

1000 560 Gal Bigaleizn

Issue # 13

November 2022

Featured in this edition:

  • What An RMO Has To Say About RMO Agency
  • Meet The RMO Agency Team Pt. 4
  • Building A House In 9 Minutes
  • Lunch With Local RMOs
  • Got A Story? Lunch Is On Us

What An RMO Has To Say About RMO Agency

Meet Craig, who recently joined our program. He shares some of his experience and thoughts on being an RMO and working with RMO Agency.

Meet The RMO Agency Team Pt. 4 - Tips For RMOs

The RMO Agency team gives you tips on the RMO/contractor relationship.

Local RMO Networking Luncheon in October

Click thumbnail for larger photo

This past October we went out to lunch with a few of our local RMO ambassadors. It was a great experience for all, they shared some stories about their construction experience and tips for being great RMOs to their new contractors. Our RMOs got to enjoy a healthy lunch, network with like minded contractors, talk construction, and anything else that came up, and overall we had a great afternoon! Our community is strong and supportive and we are grateful for our clients and their stories! Please let us know if you want to join a future RMO Community networking event and we’ll reach out if we are in your area!

Thank you for being a part of our RMO Connect Community!

Building A House In 9 Minutes: A Construction Time-Lapse

Who couldn’t enjoy watching some guys crushing it and getting a job done? We enjoyed this time-lapse video of building a house and thought you would too.

Got A Story? Lunch Is On Us...

Got a successful RMO-Contractor relationship? Meet for lunch, share your story & tips of good RMO practices, send us a video and lunch is on us!

Details apply, terms are stated below and at the end of the video.

Terms: Send the link to your video to:
Story@RMOAgency.com

Receipt required to redeem payment. Payment to be equal to receipt presented or $50, whichever is less. Compensation to be made in the form of a Visa or MC Gift Card. Video Must be 2-5 minutes in length. One submission per person per calendar month. By submitting, you attest the story you share is yours and accurate to the best of your recollection. By submitting you are allowing RMO Agency to use your video for promotional purposes without any further compensation to you or anyone else involved. RMO Agency reserves the right to determine if submissions are appropriate and useable, any submission determined inappropriate or unusable, will not be compensated. 

Graduates

Congratulations to our recent graduates:

  • S And L Remodeling And Design Inc
  • Summit Clean Air Llc Dba Crawl Space And Attic Pro

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RMO World – Issue 12: October 2022

1000 560 Gal Bigaleizn

Issue # 12

October 2022

Featured in this edition:

  • Meet The RMO Agency Team Pt. 3
  • CSLB & Butte County DA Go After Unlicensed Contractors
  • CSLB Reminds Licensees of Contractor’s Bond Increase to $25,000
  • Got A Story? Lunch Is On Us

Meet The RMO Agency Team Pt. 3

Meet The RMO Agency Team in this video playlist. In this video we go over Tips For Contractors on Keeping Your New License in Good Standing

CSLB & Butte County District Attorney Continue Effort to Protect Camp Fire Survivors from Unlicensed Contractors

Agencies joined forces to conduct undercover sting operation in declared disaster area

As Camp Fire survivors in the Paradise area of Butte County continue to rebuild, the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) and Butte County District Attorney’s Office (DA’s Office) remain alert to unlicensed or unscrupulous contractors who take advantage of the situation. The agencies collaborated recently to conduct an undercover sting operation.
Bids received during the operation ranged from $2,200 for tree removal to $12,700 for the installation of concrete.

CSLB Reminds Licensees of Contractor’s Bond Increase to $25,000

Sacramento, CA – The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is reminding all licensees that the contractor’s bond amount is increasing to $25,000 on January 1, 2023.

CSLB first publicized this increase in December 2021. The increase is the result of Senate Bill 607, which was signed into law in 2021. The increase applies to the contractor license bond (from $15,000 to $25,000) and the bond of qualifying individual (from $12,500 to $25,000).

CSLB distributed notices to 203 surety companies on September 28, 2022, with instructions for automatically increasing all licenses’ bonds and bonds of qualifying individuals currently on file with CSLB. If you are a licensed contractor, your surety company or broker should contact you soon to inform you of any changes to your bond premium.

You can also contact your surety company directly to ensure they have returned documentation to CSLB to increase your bond. If you know the name of your surety company, you can look up their contact information here. The name and contact information of your surety is also on your bond agreement itself or your broker can provide it. Questions about any increase to your bond premium must be directed to your broker or surety company and not CSLB.

Revised contractor bond and bond of qualifying individual forms with the new bond amounts will be available to the sureties in December 2022.

The increase occurred in part due to a license bond study CSLB conducted as required by Business and Professions Code section 7071.6. The study determined that the current $15,000 amount of the contractor bond is not sufficient and an increase may be necessary.

More information about bonds can be found on CSLB’s website.

Got A Story? Lunch Is On Us...

Got a successful RMO-Contractor relationship? Meet for lunch, share your story & tips of good RMO practices, send us a video and lunch is on us!

Details apply, terms are stated below and at the end of the video.

Terms: Send the link to your video to:
Story@RMOAgency.com

Receipt required to redeem payment. Payment to be equal to receipt presented or $50, whichever is less. Compensation to be made in the form of a Visa or MC Gift Card. Video Must be 2-5 minutes in length. One submission per person per calendar month. By submitting, you attest the story you share is yours and accurate to the best of your recollection. By submitting you are allowing RMO Agency to use your video for promotional purposes without any further compensation to you or anyone else involved. RMO Agency reserves the right to determine if submissions are appropriate and useable, any submission determined inappropriate or unusable, will not be compensated. 

Graduates

Congratulations to our recent graduates:

  • Crescenta Valley Tile Distributor Inc
  • Summit Clean Air LLC
  • Perez family Landscaping
  • S And L Remodeling And Design Inc

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RMO World – Issue 11: September 2022

1000 560 Gal Bigaleizn

Issue # 11

September 2022

Featured in this edition:

  • Meet The RMO Agency Team
  • CSLB Board Meeting
  • The Pros of Being A Contractor Over Being An Employee
  • Got A Story? Lunch Is On Us

Meet The RMO Agency Team

We’ve started a new video series, Meet The RMO Agency Team. In this first video we touch on What You Should Know About RMO Agency.

CSLB Board Meeting - San Diego

Gal Bigaleizn and Cher Danley from RMO Agency attended the quarterly CSLB Board meeting in San Diego in August. These meetings are open to the public and cover essential topics in the construction industry.

This is a great opportunity for contractors to get their voice heard and find out what the board is currently working on.

Check out the archived CSLB live stream of this meeting.
Bill AB1747 (Quirk) – Raising the potential civil penalty from $5,000 to $30,000 for contractors doing any work with no permits! 
This bill is now in the legislative process of passing into a law.
To avoid this civil penalty, please remember to pull a permit with the city in which the work is being performed, for EVERY type of project requiring a permit.
Bill AB2105 (Smith) – 50% reduction of fees to veterans with certain criteria – This bill will most likely become a law in January 2023.

Bill SB 216 (Dodd) – Require workers compensation coverage for additional license classification holders: C-8 Concrete, C-20 HVAC, C22 Asbestos Abatement and D-49 Tree service (in addition to the already required C39 Roofing) starting in 2023 and from ALL licensed contractors (all other classification) by 2026.

Become a CSLB Board member: 
There are currently three board member vacancies; two Public Members and one Specialty Contractor.
Click below for more info on becoming a board member with CSLB!

Honest contractors are needed to re-build after the fire in Paradise, CA! Homeowners are hiring unlicensed subcontractors and also paying a higher price per square foot. If you or any honest contractor are able to take work in Paradise California, many homeowners need  their homes re-built!

Make your license # seen and other CSLB advertising guidelines:
70% of contractors are missing a license # in their advertisements! And some end up getting citations if caught!
Make sure you license number appears on ALL construction ads and documents!

The Pros of Being A Contractor Over Being An Employee

The world is changing and how people work and do business is changing with it. The “gig economy” has increased over the last few years with about 35% of the US workforce having freelanced in 2019. So what are the benefits of being a contractor over being an employee?

The potential to earn more. Working as your own boss offers more control over the hourly rate or per-project price being charged to clients. This means that, over time, someone can earn more as a qualified contractor than if he or she was working for a construction company as an employee.

More freedom on and off the job. Qualified contractors get to choose which clients they want to work with. This can make for a much more enjoyable work environment. Additionally, qualified contractors have more freedom in scheduling and taking time off when needed.

A flexible career path. Those who work as contractors get to design their career path, from the jobs they work on to the people they choose to work alongside. Also, there may be more flexibility in where they work, and whether projects are large, small, residential, or commercial. Qualified contractors get to make these decisions on their own without being tethered to anyone else.

Being a contractor starts with having your license. Call us now and get on the path to getting your license the fastest legal way possible.

Got A Story? Lunch Is On Us...

Got a successful RMO-Contractor relationship? Meet for lunch, share your story & tips of good RMO practices, send us a video and lunch is on us!

RMO Bobby M. meeting up with Jeremy from Plumbing Buddies

Details apply, terms are stated below and at the end of the video.

Terms: Send the link to your video to:
Story@RMOAgency.com

Receipt required to redeem payment. Payment to be equal to receipt presented or $50, whichever is less. Compensation to be made in the form of a Visa or MC Gift Card. Video Must be 2-5 minutes in length. One submission per person per calendar month. By submitting, you attest the story you share is yours and accurate to the best of your recollection. By submitting you are allowing RMO Agency to use your video for promotional purposes without any further compensation to you or anyone else involved. RMO Agency reserves the right to determine if submissions are appropriate and useable, any submission determined inappropriate or unusable, will not be compensated. 

Graduates

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RMO World – Issue 10: August 2022

1000 560 Gal Bigaleizn

Issue # 10

August 2022

Featured in this edition:

The Safety Edition

  • Safety Meeting Tips From RMOs
  • Safety Tips and Links For The Jobsite
  • Navigating the OSHA NEP
  • Got A Story? Lunch Is On Us

Safety Meeting Tips From RMOs

Experienced RMOs share some tips for your safety meetings.

Got a tip of your own to share? Let us know in the comments below or email us at story@rmoagency.com

Safety Tips and OSHA Links For The Job Site

  1. Ongoing Safety Meetings. When new people join your crew, go over the entire safety protocol, get them up to speed with machine and equipment safety. Also, conduct weekly safety courses and promptly share any safety guidelines that change.
  2. Prevent Falls. When working on ladders, scaffolding, roofs, or other elevated surfaces make sure you plan ahead for safety to prevent falls. Include the cost of safety equipment to stop falls in job estimates as needed. Make sure you have the right equipment for the job early and ensure everyone is trained to use it properly.
  3. Prepare for Heat. Keep your crew safe from heat exhaustion, illness, and injury by providing water, rest and shade, ample breaks, emergency heat training, and tools to identify heat-related issues.
  4. Always Wear the Proper PPE. Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is “equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses,” according to OSHA. It can include gloves, safety glasses, and shoes, earplugs or earmuffs, hard hats, respirators, coveralls, vests, or full-body suits, among other items. Get your crew suited up for each job with the right safety equipment.
  5. Identify Hazards. Some of the material you will handle out there can be poisonous. Train your crew in chemical, physical, and biological hazard identification and resolution. Conduct run-throughs and professional inspections often. Pay close attention to sickness and injuries, product storage, and equipment hazards.
  6. Be Prepared for Emergencies. If an emergency like a natural disaster, fire, or flood occurs does your crew know what to do, where to go, and how to stay safe? OSHA’s Emergency Preparedness and Response pages are filled with tips to help workers and employees across industries respond to emergencies.
  7. Review Site Ventilation. Make sure your working environment and airflow are clean and up to code. OSHA says, bad air quality “has been tied to symptoms like headaches, fatigue, trouble concentrating, and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs.” Ensure proper ventilation for your industry with OSHA’s standards list.
  8. Keep a first aid kit handy. OSHA requires that employees are given a safe and healthy workplace that is free of occupational hazards. That doesn’t mean accidents won’t happen on the job site. Employers are required to have “medical and first aid personnel and supplies commensurate with the hazards” for the job. Learn what that means for your business and job site and ensure you’re meeting the necessary guidelines.
  9. Regulate work hours. More Americans are working long days or irregular hours. This not only leads to burnout and fatigue, but it can also lead to accidents on the job or poor overall health. To promote employee wellness, review your crew’s schedule. Are there enough breaks included in the day? Can you shift or swap schedules to help out an employee? Review OSHA’s worker fatigue FAQs.
  10. Empower employees. Encourage your employees to maintain safety standards and empower them to report hazards freely in accordance with their rights. OSHA recommends workers are able to “receive safety training in a language [they] understand, work on machines that are safe, receive required safety equipment, be protected from toxic chemicals, request an OSHA inspection and speak to the inspector, report an injury or illness and get copies of medical records, review records of work-related injuries and illnesses, and see results of tests taken to find workplace hazards.” Ensure your crew has all the information they need to be empowered at work.

Navigating the OSHA NEP

OSHA’s NEP was recently launched to drive the development of the first ever Federal Heat Standard to protect millions of workers from heat-related illness & death. Learn more about what to expect.

Got A Story? Lunch Is On Us...

Got a successful RMO-Contractor relationship? Meet for lunch, share your story & tips of good RMO practices, send us a video and lunch is on us!


Details apply, terms are stated below and at the end of the video.

Terms: Send the link to your video to:
Story@RMOAgency.com

Receipt required to redeem payment. Payment to be equal to receipt presented or $50, whichever is less. Compensation to be made in the form of a Visa or MC Gift Card. Video Must be 2-5 minutes in length. One submission per person per calendar month. By submitting, you attest the story you share is yours and accurate to the best of your recollection. By submitting you are allowing RMO Agency to use your video for promotional purposes without any further compensation to you or anyone else involved. RMO Agency reserves the right to determine if submissions are appropriate and useable, any submission determined inappropriate or unusable, will not be compensated. 

Graduates

Congratulations to our recent graduates:

  • Home Improvement Projects

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RMO World – Issue 9: July 2022

1000 560 Gal Bigaleizn

Issue # 9

July 2022

Happy Independence Day!
RMO Agency wishes you and your loved ones a happy and safe 4th of July!

Featured in this edition:

  • Marketing Tips From An RMO
  • Tips for Growing a Long-Lasting Contractor Business
  • B-2 Residential Remodeling License
  • Got A Story? Lunch Is On Us

Marketing Tips From An RMO

Michael, an experienced RMO, gives you some simple marketing tips to follow so you can get more business.

Got a tip of your own to share? Let us know in the comments below or email us at story@rmoagency.com

Tips for Growing a Long-Lasting Contractor Business

  • Review Your Internal Organization
    Ask yourself these questions: “Is my business financially stable?” “Am I getting repeat sales?” “Am I getting customer referrals?” “How are people rating my customer service?” “Do I have a high employee turnover rate?These questions can be answered by reviewing your books, paying attention to what people are saying, monitoring social media, and talking with your employees and customers.
  • Make Yourself Available
    Customer service is the key. Your prospective and current customers want to talk to an actual human being. They want to hear from you and get updates on their project. Customers are not just buying your service, they are buying you.
  • Join An Industry Association
    Industry associations are great for networking, but they also help you develop your business skills, everything from how much to charge for clients to how to write a contract. They also recommend which products you should use for each type job and where to find sub-trades.
  • Find A Mentor
    RMO Agency is here to help you with this. The best thing about a mentor is that he or she can guide you in solving problems. The mentor can teach you how to manage your money and customers, how to market your business, and keep you compliant.
  • Find Your Unique Selling Proposition
    Be a “me-different” in a world of “me-too’s.” Does your business specialization or cater to a niche market? Do you offer something others can’t? You should be emphasizing that difference and standing out from the rest.
  • Choose Good Customers.
    We would never recommend turning away a customer. However the reality is that some customers are better than others. Why spend your time chasing down a couple of hundred bucks from a deadbeat customer on a minor project when you could be using that time to land a major project from a client who pays you upfront?

B-2 Residential Remodeling License

Just last year the CSLB introduced a new license called the B-2 Residential Remodeling Contractor. Learn how this new classification is expanding opportunities for residential remodeling contractors without structural experience to get licensed.

Got A Story? Lunch Is On Us...

Got a successful RMO-Contractor relationship? Meet for lunch, share your story & tips of good RMO practices, send us a video and lunch is on us!


Details apply, terms are stated below and at the end of the video.

Terms: Send the link to your video to:
Story@RMOAgency.com

Receipt required to redeem payment. Payment to be equal to receipt presented or $50, whichever is less. Compensation to be made in the form of a Visa or MC Gift Card. Video Must be 2-5 minutes in length. One submission per person per calendar month. By submitting, you attest the story you share is yours and accurate to the best of your recollection. By submitting you are allowing RMO Agency to use your video for promotional purposes without any further compensation to you or anyone else involved. RMO Agency reserves the right to determine if submissions are appropriate and useable, any submission determined inappropriate or unusable, will not be compensated. 

Graduates

Congratulations to our recent graduates:

  • Lifetime Remodeling Inc
  • King Construction and Maintenance

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RMO World – Issue 8: June 2022

1000 560 Gal Bigaleizn

Issue # 8

June 2022

Featured in this edition:

  • 10 Common Mistakes, Pt. 2
  • Tips From RMO Agency
  • How To Save Money on Workers’ Comp Insurance
  • Got A Story? Lunch Is On Us

10 Common Contractor Mistakes, So You Can Avoid Them, Pt. 2

We have created this guide of common mistakes made by some contractors, so you can recognize them and avoid these mistakes before you make them yourself. This is part 2 of our list of 10. To read the first 5, check out last month’s issue HERE

6 – Not getting proper insurance coverage

You want to make sure your business is protected by purchasing good liability insurance and worker’s compensation policies. Having liability insurance will ensure that you will be represented, and your legal fees paid if your company is sued by a homeowner for a project you are working on. Contractors sometimes also consider professional liability insurance and perhaps an additional umbrella policy. Speak with your insurance broker about the best coverage for you and your company so you are prepared if a legal issue ever occurs.

7 – Not Properly Taking Care of Your Equipment

This is so basic. Your tools are your livelihood, everything from your hammer to your crane, and all of it should be treated with the respect that it deserves. Whether you are going to rent or own construction machines, predictive maintenance will be required in construction estimating for reducing costs over time. For your hand tools (hammers, screwdrivers, levels, etc.), it really is as simple as just cleaning and putting away your tools at the end of the day. For your larger equipment (cranes, bulldozers, excavators, etc.), avoid unnecessary downtime by setting up maintenance schedules. A better approach is to use the sensors that will be transmitting signals in real-time that will tell you when specific machines will need maintenance and when.

8 – Bidding Without a Strategy

Most construction projects are awarded through competitive bidding. You need to develop a strategy for presenting your competitive prices to potential customers. This does not mean that you should simply offer the lowest bid. Unrealistic low bids will only result in further costs later when you find that you are not able to come in at the bid that you submitted. This will of course anger your customer and make you look bad. You need to focus on areas where you can cut costs without compromising on quality. Most of all, you need to find your competitive advantage for attracting clients and projects.

9 – Not Paying Attention to Customer Concerns

Contractors are notorious for ignoring specific wants and requests from their customers. If you don’t pay attention to what your client wants, you may end up with unsatisfactory results or even worse, unhappy or even angry clients. Even if you have decades of experience and have seen it all, take the time to listen to what your clients are saying and remember it is their project and after you have walked off the job site on the last day of the project, the client will still be there living with your work, so make sure it’s the work they wanted and is the best it can possibly be.

10 – Taking on Jobs That Are Too Big

That first taste of success is addictive, be cautious. Getting too big too fast is an easy yet costly mistake to make. Stay the course, grow smart, and make sure you’re allocating time and expenses properly to avoid neglecting other areas of the business. Rome wasn’t built in a day and your successful contracting business won’t be either.

Tips From RMO Agency

Tips for working with your RMO.

Discover How Successful Contractors Save Money On Their Workers Compensation Insurance – Every Year!

In today’s tough business environment, saving every penny and avoiding unnecessary costs can determine whether or not your doors stay open. Plus, we also know that workplace accidents happen. It’s not a matter of IF an accident will happen, it’s just a matter of when that accident will happen.

Below are some of the best ways to save money on your Workers Compensation insurance. Each of these strategies is important. However, in our experience, #1, #8, and #9 will have the most impact in saving you time and money.

  1. Shop & Compare…Every Year!
    If you are serious about saving money on your insurance costs every year, you must shop and compare. Every year there are new carriers entering into the California Workers Comp marketplace and your existing broker may not have access to some of these new options.
  2. Join a Construction Association
    Construction Associations can provide you with a great opportunity to network with and build relationships with other trades. Other benefits include discounts on products and services that you rely on as a business owner and some associations even offer insurance discounts to their members.
  3. Have a documented Safety Program
    The State of California requires that you have a written safety program. A solid safety program also demonstrates to insurance carriers that you take this stuff seriously. Insurers will be more impressed if you give your program more than lip service by documenting regular on-the-job safety training/updates for staff. You should also require that employees sign off that they’ve read and received your program material. Contact us if you need a Safety Program. We can help get you started in the right direction!
  4. Have a return-to-work program
    Accidents will happen even in the safest work environment. When they do, a return-to-work program can help you contain costs. The longer a claim stays open, the more it costs your insurance company–costs that are ultimately passed on to you. The goal is to close any worker’s comp claim as quickly as possible by getting the injured employee back on the job, even if it’s part-time or reduced duties approved by the employee’s medical provider.
  5. Support a substance-free workplace
    Employees who use drugs or alcohol on the job cause injuries to themselves and others. They also cost their employers about twice as much in workers comp and medical claims as non-abusers, according to data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. At a bare minimum, make hiring contingent on passing a pre-employment drug test. You may also want to consider random testing for all employees.
  6. Make sure you have the proper job classifications and class codes assigned to your employees
    Sad but true. Some insurance brokers are lazy and do not accurately classify workers correctly when they submit your worker’s compensation policy to the insurance company. A mistake in a wrong classification can cost you thousands of dollars in unnecessary costs. As a business owner, you want to ensure that you review the Class Codes that your insurance broker submits to the insurance company on your behalf. This tip is especially important in the construction industry as there are both Class Code ratings and Hourly Wage ratings that will impact how much you pay for insurance.
  7. Educate your employees about the difference between minor injuries and reportable incidents
    Avoid unnecessary reporting that can create adverse loss ratios on your worker’s comp record. Small injuries like minor cuts or scrapes that can be treated with on-the-job first aid, an office visit, and a follow-up for observation should not be reported.
  8. Voluntary benefits may help reduce workers’ compensation claims
    Because of the high direct and indirect costs of claims, companies are naturally looking for ways to reduce their workers’ compensation claims. Voluntary insurance benefits could be the answer. Of employers who offer voluntary insurance, more than 50% offer voluntary accident insurance. Of those who offer this benefit, 51% say they have seen a decline in workers’ compensation claims since doing so.
  9. NEW for 2022 – Developed for California Contractors with 2 to 49 employees, ContractorGUARD allows you to:
    • Reduces your costs and helps to avoid the expensive claims.
    • Start or Renew your Workers Compensation Insurance with a Low Down payment.
    • Simplify your process of reporting your payroll with an easy to use online reporting tool.

ContractorGUARD is Only Available through The Contractors Resource Center. To get your Free Workers Compensation quote: CLICK HERE

Kevin Leipsic is the CEO and Founder of The Contractors Resource Center in Sacramento, California. The Contractors Resource Center specializes in working with and serving California Contractors with their Legal, Financial & Insurance Services. Kevin serves as an Insurance Advisor to the California Building Industry Association and the National Remodeling Association and is the host of the popular ContractorTV show on YouTube. He also manages one of Facebook’s largest communities for California Contractors. This community was created to allow California contractors to connect with each other and build relationships and also services as a free resource for homeowners searching for licensed and insured contractors.

Kevin can be reached directly at: 530.320.3617 or Kevin@TheContractorsResourceCenter.com

Got A Story? Lunch Is On Us...

Got a successful RMO-Contractor relationship? Meet for lunch, share your story & tips of good RMO practices, send us a video and lunch is on us!


Details apply, terms are stated below and at the end of the video.

Terms: Send the link to your video to:
Story@RMOAgency.com

Receipt required to redeem payment. Payment to be equal to receipt presented or $50, whichever is less. Compensation to be made in the form of a Visa or MC Gift Card. Video Must be 2-5 minutes in length. One submission per person per calendar month. By submitting, you attest the story you share is yours and accurate to the best of your recollection. By submitting you are allowing RMO Agency to use your video for promotional purposes without any further compensation to you or anyone else involved. RMO Agency reserves the right to determine if submissions are appropriate and useable, any submission determined inappropriate or unusable, will not be compensated. 

Graduates

Congratulations to our recent graduates:

  • Progressive Construction Inc.
  • Silver Peak Construction Group Inc,

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