RMO World

RMO World – Issue 8: June 2022

 1000 560 Gal Bigaleizn
By:
0

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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RMO World – Issue 7: May 2022

 1000 560 Gal Bigaleizn
By:
0

Issue # 7

May 2022

Featured in this edition:

  • 10 Common Mistakes
  • Don’t Walk Off The Job
  • NEW features & Full business access on Secretary of State website!
  • Got A Story? Lunch Is On Us

10 Common Contractor Mistakes, So You Can Avoid Them

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.

1 – Working Without a License
The number 1 and possibly the most damaging mistake an individual acting as a contractor can make is taking construction work without a license. First-time offenders face up to 6 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $5,000. We know getting a contractor’s license takes time, money, and a lot of studying, but having a license is a must and the consequences of not doing so are quite serious in California. There are legal licensing alternatives to the exam, which may be of interest to you. One of them is by working under a Responsible Managing Officer (RMO) for 5 years and then qualifying on your own. RMO Agency can find an RMO in your area and help you get licensed without taking an exam. Never work without a license or you take the risk of getting caught by CSLB.

2 – Hiring the Wrong People
Unfortunately, the construction industry is littered with sub-par workers. Whether by choice or by circumstance there are many workers that just don’t have the skill and/or the work ethic. It is important you surround yourself with hard-working, skilled people you can trust, so they represent you and your company as you want to be represented by your customers. Be sure to thoroughly vet anyone you bring onto your job site.

3 – Not Paying the Proper Attention to Safety
As they say “safety first.” The construction industry is disproportionately affected by accidents and injuries. Without proper measures in place, you risk putting your workers in danger which could also affect your costs and timelines as well. Safety training shouldn’t be a one-time event. Regulations are always changing; your workforce may change as well — which means you should be scheduling regular training meetings to ensure proper safety is always at the top of everyone’s mind. Safety starts by having the right equipment (wearables, interconnected devices, heart rate monitors, etc.) in place and training employees on how to use them.

4 – Not Remembering to Hydrate
Along with safety, hydration is key. The human body’s best method for overcoming heat is sweating, but in order to produce enough sweat to cool our bodies, we need to stay properly hydrated. The best way to stay hydrated is water, not juices, sodas, or energy drinks. Just simple clean, cool water. Water is your crew’s best friend. Make sure to provide water on every job site, even if it’s cold out. Also, especially if it’s hot, make sure your team is taking frequent breaks and sipping small amounts of water often.

5 – Bad Estimating
These days, good accounting means good accounting software. Your company must be able to estimate project costs by considering the material, labor, and supplier costs. This allows you to provide more accurate quotes to your customers and will avoid underestimating your expenses. Estimating software can be very helpful as you can get the right estimate by entering specific details that include cost per square foot of material or the cost per hour of labor. Good construction software and the ability to use it are key. In this day and age, if you are still using manual techniques for budgeting, estimating, or preparing building plans, you are making a big mistake. The right software will lower your costs while increasing your accuracy, productivity, and quality of work.

Tips 5-10 will be in next month’s newsletter.

Complaint Resolution Series - Part 10: Don't Walk Off A Job Without This...

You should never walk off a job without knowing this, you could be liable.

For tips and strategies for handling complaints and what to expect from the process, see the full Complaint Resolution Series HERE

NEW features & Full business access on Secretary of State website!

The new Bizfile online system through the Secretary of State, allows you to register your email to your business and get access to your business records online!

Registering with bizfile Online using this email in their new system will allow you to automatically have Full Access to the online entity record(s) attached. Full Access in the bizfile Online system grants you the ability to complete ALL filings and update information online for the entity as well as grant others access to file online for the entity.

What’s Next at bizfile Online?

To finalize the process, log into your bizfile Online account at bizfileOnline.sos.ca.gov (OR register for a new account at https://idm.sos.ca.gov/signin/register), click on My Business Records, and you will automatically see all online entity records that are associated with your bizfile Online registered email.

Once you have Full Access to the online entity record, you may grant further access to others using the Manage User Access button in the lower right corner of the drawer that opens when you click on the entity name. More than one person may have Full Access to an online entity record.

Access via PIN Number

If you are no longer associated with the entity or wish to have someone else utilize the PIN to gain Full Access to the online entity record, provide that person with the PIN number associated with that entity. They will then have to log into bizfileOnline.sos.ca.gov, search for the entity name, and select the entity record from the search results. Next, they will have to click the Request Access button in the bottom right-hand corner of the drawer that opens when they click on the entity name. Finally, they will have to review and check both certification statements and then enter the PIN number.

This PIN number is valid for 75 days from the date of the email received and may be used only once. Once that person has Full Access to the online entity record, they may grant further access to others or modify existing access through the bizfile Online system.

For further assistance, contact the Secretary of State Bizfile Online assistance at (916) 657-5448 or visit http://bizfileOnline.sos.ca.gov

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. 

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RMO World – Issue 6: April 2022

 1000 560 Gal Bigaleizn
By:
0

Issue # 6

April 2022

Featured in this edition:

  • Types of CSLB Licenses
  • Graduate Testimony
  • RMO Welcome Lunch
  • Got A Story? Lunch Is On Us

What Are the Different Types of California Contractors Licenses?

There are four primary CSLB license classification groups: A: General Engineering, B: General Building, B-2: Residential Remodeling, and C: Specialty. The C-class license group is composed of approximately 45 specialized trade classifications.

Are you working under the correct classification for your trade? Want to add a classification to your existing license? Read the descriptions of each classification below.

Also, be sure to advertise for work that falls under your existing license classification only!!

If you need any clarification regarding CSLB classifications or adding one to your license, we’ll be happy to help!

General engineering contractors are those whose business is primarily in connection with fixed works requiring specialized engineering knowledge and skill in the following areas: irrigation, drainage, water power, water supply, flood control, inland waterways, harbors, docks and wharves, shipyards and ports, dams and hydroelectric projects, levees, river control and reclamation works, railroads, highways, streets and roads, tunnels, airports and airways, sewers and sewage disposal plants and systems, waste reduction plants, bridges, overpasses, underpasses and other similar works, pipelines and other systems for the transmission of petroleum and other liquid or gaseous substances, parks, playgrounds and other recreational works, refineries, chemical plants and similar industrial plants requiring specialized engineering knowledge and skill, powerhouses, power plants and other utility plants and installations, mines and metallurgical plants, land leveling and earthmoving projects, excavating, grading, trenching, paving and surfacing work, and cement and concrete works in connection with the above mentioned fixed works.

A general building contractor’s primary business relates to any structure built, being built, or to be built for the support, shelter, and enclosure of people, animals, chattels, or movable property and requires the use of at least two unrelated building trades or crafts. This does not include anyone who simply furnishes materials or supplies under Section 7045 without fabricating them into or consuming them in the performance of the work of the general building contractor.

More specifications about this license can be found here.

A residential remodeling contractor works in connection with any project to make improvements to, on, or in an existing residential wood-frame structure, and the project requires the use of at least three unrelated building trades or crafts for a single contract. This type of contractor may take a prime contract for trades or crafts which can include (but is not limited to) any of the following:

  • Drywall
  • Finish carpentry
  • Flooring
  • Insulation
  • Painting
  • Plastering
  • Roof repair
  • Siding
  • Tiling
  • Installing, repairing, or replacing electrical fixtures, such as dimmers, fans, lights, outlets, and switches
  • Installing, repairing, or replacing plumbing fixtures, such as faucets, sinks, toilets, and tubs
  • Installing, repairing, or replacing mechanical fixtures, such as air filters, air delivery and return grills, and preassembled exhaust fans

More specifications about this license can be found here.

A specialty contractor performs construction work requiring special skills. This type of contractor’s principal contracting business involves the use of specialized building trades or crafts. Examples of a specialty contractor’s operations may include:

  • Servicing or testing fire extinguishing systems
  • Installing carpets, linoleum, or resilient floor coverings
  • Preparing or removing roadway construction zones, lane closures, flagging, or traffic diversion on roadways including, but not limited to, public streets, highways, or any public conveyance

The C license group includes the following sub-classifications:

  • C-2 – Insulation and Acoustical Contractor
  • C-4 – Boiler, Hot Water Heating and Steam Fitting Contractor
  • C-5 – Framing and Rough Carpentry Contractor
  • C-6 – Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry Contractor
  • C-7 – Low Voltage Systems Contractor
  • C-8 – Concrete Contractor
  • C-9 – Drywall Contractor
  • C-10 – Electrical Contractor
  • C-11 – Elevator Contractor
  • C-12 – Earthwork and Paving Contractors
  • C-13 – Fencing Contractor
  • C-15 – Flooring and Floor Covering Contractors
  • C-16 – Fire Protection Contractor
  • C-17 – Glazing Contractor
  • C-20 – Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor
  • C-21 – Building Moving/Demolition Contractor
  • C-22 – Asbestos Abatement Contractor
  • C-23 – Ornamental Metal Contractor
  • C-27 – Landscaping Contractor
  • C-28 – Lock and Security Equipment Contractor
  • C-29 – Masonry Contractor
  • C-31 – Construction Zone Traffic Control Contractor
  • C-32 – Parking and Highway Improvement Contractor
  • C-33 – Painting and Decorating Contractor
  • C-34 – Pipeline Contractor
  • C-35 – Lathing and Plastering Contractor
  • C-36 – Plumbing Contractor
  • C-38 – Refrigeration Contractor
  • C-39 – Roofing Contractor
  • C-42 – Sanitation System Contractor
  • C-43 – Sheet Metal Contractor
  • C-45 – Sign Contractor
  • C-46 – Solar Contractor
  • C-47 – General Manufactured Housing Contractor
  • C-50 – Reinforcing Steel Contractor
  • C-51 – Structural Steel Contractor
  • C-53 – Swimming Pool Contractor
  • C-54 – Ceramic and Mosaic Tile Contractor
  • C-55 – Water Conditioning Contractor
  • C-57 – Well Drilling Contractor
  • C-60 – Welding Contractor
  • C-61 – Limited Specialty

RMO Agency Graduate Shares His Experience With RMO Agency

A recent graduate from RMO Agency shares his experience on how we helped him through the entire process of getting his license while continuing to work without taking the no exam! We are the REAL RMO Agency.

New RMO Welcoming Lunch

Two of our seasoned RMO’s welcome Sal to the RMO family. Here are a few things they had to say.

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:

  • Perez Family Landscaping

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RMO World – Issue 5: March 2022

 1000 560 Gal Bigaleizn
By:
0

Issue # 5

March 2022

Featured in this edition:

  • CSLB Advertising Rules
  • Complaint Resolution Series
    Part 8: Citations
  • Q&A With RMO Ambassadors
  • RMO Greg Zamora Featured on Turlock local news
  • Got A Story? Lunch Is On Us

Stay Up-To-Date on CSLB Advertising Rules

Something you may not think about much, but the CSLB has rules for advertising for licensed contractors and it’s important to stay current.

You already know about advertising in newspapers, magazines, and on radio and television airwaves but, for licensed contractors, advertising is more than that.

It’s also:

  • Your business card;
  • Any contract proposal;
  • Lettering on your trucks and other vehicles;
  • Any sign or billboard identifying you or your company as a contractor;
  • Any electronic transmission, including your company’s website content;
  • Any soliciting brochure, pamphlet, circular, or Internet ad you or anyone else posts or distributes;
  • Any clothing or giveaway items that include your company name or logo; and
  • Any directory or listing that states or implies you are a contractor requesting or looking for the kind of work that requires a contractor license under California Contractors License Law.

These specifications are in Section 861 of the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) Rules and Regulations. They define what Business and Professions (B&P) Code Section (§) 7030.5 means when it says that licensed contractors are required to include their license numbers in “(a) all construction contracts; (b) subcontracts and calls forbid; and (c) all forms of advertising, as prescribed by the registrar of contractors.” The civil penalty (pursuant to California Code of Regulations § 884) for not complying with this requirement is between $100 and $1,000 for a first offense.

Identifying Business Vehicles C-36 Plumbing, C-45 Sign, and C-57 Well-Drilling contractors must display the following information on each side of every business vehicle with commercial registration in letters at least 1.5 inches high (B&P § 7029.5):

  • Business name;
  • Permanent business address; and
  • Contractor license number.

All other licensed contractors must display their business names and contractor license numbers on every one of their commercially-registered vehicles. The name and number must be in a clearly visible location in letters at least 3/4 inch high and wide (B&P § 7029.6).

Make sure to check the CSLB for any current requirements.

Complaint Resolution Series
Part 8: Citations

In our latest episode in our complaint series, we discuss citations and how they work so you know what to expect if you have a complaint that gets to this point.

If you have missed previous episodes, click HERE for the playlist

Brief Q&A With RMO Agency Ambassadors

In the past two years, RMO Agency has been hosting online meetings on RMO Connect Community for our RMOs to join, discuss construction-related topics, and network with one another.

Here are some questions they discussed during one of the Zoom meetings.
We will continue to share short clips of these meetings in the upcoming months.

If you have any business/construction-related questions for our RMOs, please send us an email and we’ll be happy to address your questions in the next meeting.

Please also let us know if you are interested in attending any of our upcoming Zoom or Live meetings with your fellow contractors!

Modern Townhome Project Proposed for North Turlock

Congratulations to RMO, Greg Zamora, for being featured on Turlock local news for innovative construction solutions! 

Developers are looking to bring a more modern look to Turlock’s residential architecture with new townhomes proposed on the north side of town.

Perfect Logistics, Inc. has submitted plans to the City for a 31-unit multi-family residential project at 4118 N. Tegner Rd. The development will consist of seven three-story townhomes with rooftop terraces and side patios, and each of the 31 units will feature either a carport or garage.

An existing home on the property will be demolished to make way for the new housing, which is across the street from a condo project that is now underway after being previously approved in 2019. According to Perfect Logistic owner’s representative Greg Zamora, architects from Chicago designed the project with a contemporary vision in mind.

Read Full Story Here

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:

  • Cerda Designs Inc.

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RMO World – Issue 4: February 2022

 1000 560 Gal Bigaleizn
By:
0

Issue # 4

February 2022

Featured in this edition:

  • Graduate Stories: Meet Denisse Luna
  • Complaint Resolution Series
    Part 4: Arbitration Types
  • Unlicensed Contractors Arrested
  • Got A Story? Lunch Is On Us

RMO Graduate Series - Meet Denisse Luna

Meet Denisse Luna from JP’s Remodeling Home Improvement.

Denisse shares her story of going through the RMO program to graduate and get her own license.

It’s time for you to join Denisse and get on the path to your license.

Get started today! https://rmoagency.com/contractors/

Complaint Resolution Series
Part 4: Arbitration Types

In our latest episode in our complaint series we cover the type of arbitration available to you.

If you have missed previous episodes, click HERE for the playlist

Unlicensed Contractors Arrested in Butte County Disaster Area Sting

It’s always risky to work without a license!
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Wildfire survivors are warned to stay alert as they search for contractors to help them rebuild. A recent Contractors State License Board (CSLB) multi-agency sting operation in the city of Paradise in Butte County found unlicensed activity in the Camp Fire disaster area. Four unlicensed contractors were arrested on felony charges for contracting in a declared disaster area.

“Unlicensed and unscrupulous contractors try to take advantage of consumers rebuilding after a disaster,”

said CSLB Registrar David Fogt. “Fire survivors need to check the license of any contractor they are considering before starting a rebuilding project.”

The January 19, 2022, undercover sting operation was conducted with representatives from the Butte County District Attorney’s Office and the Paradise Police Department. CSLB’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team members posed as homeowners and contacted suspected unlicensed contractors through their advertisements to perform earthwork, fencing, paving, and remodeling work.

The four people arrested for unlicensed contracting face felony charges because the unlicensed activity took place in a declared disaster area. Punishment may include a fine of up to $10,000, and up to three years in state prison, or both.

One unlicensed contractor bid $17,000 for fencing on the sting property, which is well over the legal limit for contracting without a license. In California, it’s illegal for an unlicensed person to bid for or perform any home improvement valued at $500 or more in combined labor and material costs.

Another unlicensed contractor was also charged with possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl. All suspects were ordered to appear in Butte County Superior Court.

CSLB-licensed contractors have met experience and testing requirements, carry a license bond, passed a criminal background check, and carry workers’ compensation insurance for employees.

If you know anyone looking to get licensed, we can help!  
Provide their info here and get credit off your monthly fee OR a $250 check, for each successful referral. 

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:

  • Economy Roofing & Repairs Inc
  • All About Experts Inc Dba All About Plumbing
  • American Renewable Energy Inc Dba Solargen
  • JP’s Remodeling Home Improvement Services

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RMO World – Issue 3: January 2022

 1000 560 Gal Bigaleizn
By:
0

Issue # 3

January 2022

Featured in this edition:

  • Complaint Resolution Series
    Part 1: Settle Early
  • CSLB Fee Changes
  • Pro Tip for New RMOs!
  • Got A Story? Lunch Is On Us

Complaint Resolution Series
Part 1: Settle Early

What would you do if you got a CSLB complaint from a homeowner?

The quick answer is: Resolve it EARLY! Respond to any letters or calls by CSLB in a timely manner, and try to settle the issue directly with the consumer before it goes any further.

It may cost you more money than you expected and you may believe that you are right and the homeowner is wrong, but in order to keep your Contractor’s License clean and to continue working as a contractor, you must be complaint-free!

It is much easier to pay the homeowner and settle right away than to go through a full investigation process with the CSLB and come out clean on the other side. Under an investigation, CSLB can investigate all aspects of your business and potentially find other violations unrelated to the complaint.

The quicker it is resolved with the homeowner, the higher the chance for the license to stay clean.

We’ve been serving contractors for 15 years, and have witnessed complaints resolved easily and others dragging for years and leaving their mark on the license.

As soon as you know a homeowner is not happy, the ball is in your court to be proactive and settle this early. You have a Contractor’s License, while many others are still working unlicensed- Do everything that you can to keep it clean!

CSLB Announces New Fee Schedule for 2022

Because of increased operating costs, the state legislature recently approved a CSLB fee increase effective on January 1, 2022. This is the first statutory fee increase since 2017. The fee increases are the result of a study performed by a private consultant to establish CSLB’s actual cost of performing the services associated with the fees.

Read Full Article & Review Updated CSLB Fees

Pro Tip for New RMOs!

Want to make extra passive income using your active, inactive, or expired license? Click Here: https://rmoagency.com/rmo-sign-up/

RMO Agency has 15 years of experience in connecting new and seasoned contractors for success! Create a source of passive Income with your Contractor’s License- No Hands-on Work! Thank you for your support comment, like, and share! Follow @rmoagency

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:

  • E & R Venice Design Inc
  • Evans Heating And Air, Inc.
  • GSML Corporation DBA Sharon Stone Design

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RMO World – Issue 2: December 2021

 1000 560 Gal Bigaleizn
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Issue # 2

December 2021

Featured in this edition:

  • Meet Our RMO Ambassadors
  • RMO Agency on Contractor TV
  • CSLB Online License Renewal
  • Got A Story? Lunch Is On Us

Meet Our RMO Ambassadors

Meet Bob- RMO Since 2011, Eric – RMO Since 2013, and Mickey – RMO Since 2012, they are our RMO ambassadors.

Over lunch, we listened to three of our RMOs tell some of their stories about how their business and their lives have changed for the better since becoming RMOs through RMO Agency.

RMO Agency Featured on Contractor TV! Watch The Interview

Discover the legal way to Get Your California Contractors License without having to take a test by working with a Responsible Managing Officer (RMO), a licensed contractor whose experience will waive your exam requirement.

Watch this interview with our own Gal, VP of Operations, with the Contractor’s Resource Center to learn more.

Is your license renewal coming up?

Online Renewal is available on the CSLB website for sole owners or corporations with a SINGLE qualifier (multiple qualifiers still require the paper renewal).

Online renewal is only available within 60 days of license expiration and must be completed online by the license qualifier. Payment will be submitted online and you will see an IMMEDIATE update of the license expiration date.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO CSLB LICENSE RENEWAL PAGE

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…

  • Renova Builders

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RMO World – Issue 1: November 2021

 1000 800 Gal Bigaleizn
By:
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Issue # 1

November 2021

Featured in this edition:

  • RMO World LinkedIn
  • RMO Real Talk
  • Lunch Is On Us

RMO World LinkedIn

We are excited about RMO World and our commitment to RMO’s, general contractors, and the construction industry. Our goal is to keep you up to date and to make the construction industry personal to you.

On our LinkedIn page, we hope to connect to all those in the construction industry especially RMO’s and aspiring contractors looking to learn more about each other’s experiences. We are seeking to expand our network and introduce our RMO Agency to those who want to or already are making a difference in the RMO construction world. This is an open invitation to all in the community of construction from contractors to landscapers to join our RMO network. Share with us your experiences, job opportunities, and stories so we can celebrate your success.

RMO Real Talk

What is an RMO?

RMO = Responsible Managing Officer.
An RMO is an officer of the corporation and the qualifying individual for a licensed corporation. A corporation must have a qualifier to obtain and maintain its Contractor’s License. The corporation will be issued a new license number, separate from the RMO’s personal license.

Ownership: An RMO can qualify up to 3 corporations at one time only if RMO holds at least 20% of the shares of each corporation and is in compliance with the CSLB’s supervision requirements.

RMO duties:

  • Direct supervision of Contractor’s construction operations (supervising construction, managing construction activities by making technical & administrative decisions, checking jobs for proper workmanship & OSHA safety, or direct supervision on job sites.)
  • Review all construction documents for the projects
  • Support resolution of project issues such as consumer complaints, settlements, investigations, disciplinary hearings, etc…

With an RMO, a new contractor may become the qualifier of the license after 5 years of working with a clean, in good standing contractor’s license (we call it ‘graduation’ of our RMO program). That is our goal with each of our clients – To support them from application to graduation (and everything in between!)

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…

  • Builders Green Inc.
  • Faragon Restoration, Ltd.

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Knowledge & Inspiration

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