General Contractor Class B License

garysremodel12

I possess a Class B general contracting license. I am both bonded and insured in the state of calif.
Are there any "tasks" or "trades" in this state that I am NOT licensed to do? I have always been under the impression, as being a GC, that I am legally licensed to do all work related to building or remodeling. I have never run into a problem with any inspectors about this, but I was "informed" by a certain company called "Service Magic.Com" that I am limited in the work that I can perform. Is this true? any insight would be very helpful.

thanks,

Gary Allen

essrmo

pcplumber

In California, a general contractor must perform a minimum of three trades on any one job.

A general contractors cannot do only a copper repipe, or install only a roof.

A general contractor can do a copper repipe, install a roof, and plaster holes, when on the same job. Nobody seems to enforce the laws. About 10 years ago, it became legal for generals to obtain electrical permits.

I have a general license and there was only about 118 questions on the test. Almost every question was about concrete work, J-bolts, and handrails. The test did not have one question regarding plumbing, heating, framing, electrical, nor roofing.

skyhook

__________________

BKFranks

Business & Professions Code
Division 3, Chapter 9. Contractors, Article 4. Classifications


(B) A general building contractor may take a prime contract or a subcontract for a framing or carpentry project. However, a general building contractor shall not take a prime contract for any project involving trades other than framing or carpentry unless the prime contract requires at least two unrelated building trades or crafts other than framing or carpentry, or unless the general building contractor holds the appropriate license classification or subcontracts with an appropriately licensed specialty contractor to perform the work. A general building contractor shall not take a subcontract involving trades other than framing or carpentry, unless the subcontract requires at least two unrelated trades or crafts other than framing or carpentry, or unless the general building contractor holds the appropriate license classification. The general building contractor may not count framing or carpentry in calculating the two unrelated trades necessary in order for the general building contractor to be able to take a prime contract or subcontract for a project involving other trades. (c) No general building contractor shall contract for any project that includes the "C-16" Fire Protection classification as provided for in Section 7026.12 or the "C-57" Well Drilling classification as provided for in Section 13750.5 of the Water Code, unless the general building contractor holds the specialty license, or subcontracts with the appropriately licensed specialty contractor.
http://www.cslb.ca.gov/GeneralInform...Contractor.asp

__________________

CarterConstruct

This from the CSLB website. Basically, you can self perform all of the "building" trades except well digging and fire protection and all of the A classification trades - with certain caveats listed below.





B - General Building Contractor


Business & Professions Code
Division 3, Chapter 9. Contractors, Article 4. Classifications


7057. (a) Except as provided in this section, a general building contractor is a contractor whose principal contracting business is in connection with any structure built, being built, or to be built, for the support, shelter, and enclosure of persons, animals, chattels, or movable property of any kind, requiring in its construction the use of at least two unrelated building trades or crafts, or to do or superintend the whole or any part thereof.
This does not include anyone who merely 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.
(b) A general building contractor may take a prime contract or a subcontract for a framing or carpentry project. However, a general building contractor shall not take a prime contract for any project involving trades other than framing or carpentry unless the prime contract requires at least two unrelated building trades or crafts other than framing or carpentry, or unless the general building contractor holds the appropriate license classification or subcontracts with an appropriately licensed specialty contractor to perform the work. A general building contractor shall not take a subcontract involving trades other than framing or carpentry, unless the subcontract requires at least two unrelated trades or crafts other than framing or carpentry, or unless the general building contractor holds the appropriate license classification. The general building contractor may not count framing or carpentry in calculating the two unrelated trades necessary in order for the general building contractor to be able to take a prime contract or subcontract for a project involving other trades.
(c) No general building contractor shall contract for any project that includes the "C-16" Fire Protection classification as provided for in Section 7026.12 or the "C-57" Well Drilling classification as provided for in Section 13750.5 of the Water Code, unless the general building contractor holds the specialty license, or subcontracts with the appropriately licensed specialty contractor.

__________________

CARTER CONSTRUCTION
Building Relationships....not just buildings

License Guru

Reviewing this thread, the above is basically correct.

A B-licensee can perform any and all of the building trades as long as they are part of the over-all project. You can not contract specifically for roofing or plumbing or drywall for example. Your contract must include framing and 3 unrelated trades.

__________________
Phil Cocciante
You've got Questions? I've got Answers!

buckleyclan

Phil,
Did you mean to say framing plus 2 additional? Am I reading the law incorrectly?

License Guru

Oops! Sorry... 2 is correct.

__________________
Phil Cocciante
You've got Questions? I've got Answers!