RMO World – Issue 33: July 2024 Independence Edition

Independence From Boring Jobs

A career in construction is a career for the ambitious. Every day presents an opportunity to learn something new. Unlike other careers, there’s no such thing as an “ordinary” day in this industry. An average desk job keeps you confined to a small space all day long. Even factory and warehouse workers are in the same place every day, doing the same thing every day. In construction, you’re on the move physically and mentally and each day brings a new challenge.

 Independence From Dead-End Careers

Construction workers aren’t limited to the first path they set out on. Changing career paths won’t throw off their future success because there’s no one “typical route” – they quite literally build their career. A career in construction is as unique as the individual. You have the power to evolve, and change specialties. Whether you forge a straight path or jump around to different specialties, hard work will always be noticed.

Independence From Debt

Unlike other lines of work, a career in construction doesn’t require a large upfront investment or years of below-average pay to get started. Workers of every specialty enjoy a great wage from the very beginning — even while training. As the cost of college continues to rise, trade school and apprenticeship programs have become more attractive as they help students earn as they learn.

Construction is the career of an independent mind.

Earlier this month, members of RMO Agency attended the quarterly CSLB meeting in Newport Beach, CA .

While there were many important items addressed at the meeting, here are some highlights from the notes we took:

p.67 – CSLB modernization – CSLB is working on a new phone system and document management system which will include additional online application processing for a streamlined process for users.

p.69 – Spanish Exam translation to Spanish for the top 10 most requested trades

p.76 General information about the board:

The Contractors State License Board was established in 1929 and is currently a part of the Department of Consumers Affairs.

The board is composed of 15 board members (10 public members and 5 contractors appointed by the governor and the state legislature) which appoints the executive officer or Registrar of Contractors and directs administrative policy of the agency’s operations. CSLB headquarters office receives and processes applications for new licenses, additional classifications, changes of records and license renewals. They maintain records of disciplinary actions and provides support services. Headquarters investigates contractors as needed and follows with disciplinary actions resulting from investigations.  CSLB SWIFT team focuses on underground economy and unlicensed contractors and holds sting operations to catch unlicensed contractors and cite them. CSLB holds quarterly meetings that the public is welcome to attend in person or via online web-cast.

p.91 – Assembly bill 2622 (Carrillo) – This is a minor work license exemption that is looking to raise the amount from $500 to $1,000 per project including labor and materials – motion passed by the board to support this bill.

p.94 bill AB2933 – This bill is looking to require the homeowner to sign off when the work is complete prior to lender paying the contractor for the work. CSLB expressed its concerns about the large number of complaints regarding solar work and the loans the homeowner is responsible to pay, even before the solar panels have been turned on.

p.106-108 More info about solar and roofing complaints. CSLB intake and mediation centers have been overloaded with over 200 monthly complaints for solar and is not able to be a service quality control for contractors. For this reason contractors are encouraged to settle potential issues directly with the homeowner and avoid those turning into formal complaints.

p.123 Currently 49% of contractors have filed for workers compensation exemption. Certain classifications require workers compensation coverage. By 2028, all licensed contractors will need to carry workers compensation insurance policy.

For more information, please review the complete board packet: https://www.cslb.ca.gov/Resources/BoardPackets/2024/June13-14_BoardPacket.pdf

To watch the quarterly meeting recording, check out the Webcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtNtJHYuO5o

The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) has important details to share with contractors regarding work on manufactured homes, mobile homes, and multifamily manufactured homes (MH).

Only C-47 license holders (General Manufactured Housing Contractors) are authorized to install or prepare MH for moving.

Contractors performing a single construction trade after the installation of a MH must possess the appropriate “C” specialty classification (Licensing Classifications).

For contracts involving two or more unrelated trades after the installation of a MH, a B – General Building Contractor license is required. If the project involves three or more unrelated trades and the MH is a wood frame, a B-2 Residential Remodeling Contractor may be appropriate in accordance with the requirements of that classification.

All applications for a C-47 General Manufactured Housing classification will need to include proof of completion of a federally approved manufactured housing installation training program. Please see CSLB Industry Bulletin #21-19 for more information.