Category Archives: Industry Updates

CSLB News: Humboldt County Sting Operation Busts 4 Unlicensed Contractors

SACRAMENTO – The Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office and the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) worked together in an undercover operation that ultimately exposed contractors for performing construction work without a license.

The severe stormy weather in early February precipitated the increase in demand for home repair work in southern California. As a result, unlicensed contractors began advertising themselves as available for hire for construction contracting services.

In California, it is required by law for unlicensed contractors to state clearly that they are not license holders and that they cannot bid on work contracts valued higher than $500 (including labor and materials).

But in Eureka, CA this month, law enforcement and the CSLB discovered that four unlicensed contractors had submitted bids ranging from $1,400 for a home painting project to $12,000 for deck work. Exceeding the legal limit of $500 is a blatant violation of the standards and regulations put in place by the CSLB.

This undercover sting operation left each of the four unlicensed contractors with a Notice to Appear in criminal court. Their primary offense was allegedly performing contracting activities without the required licenses.

One of the offenders may face an additional obstruction of justice charge. After the accused individual was caught by the sting operation, they took to social media to post information about the crackdown, most likely to warn other unlicensed contractors to help them dodge controversy.

Investigators report that this person was expressly told not to spread information about the undercover operation. Now they and the three other individuals who were suspended for unlawful construction activities are looking at fines and possible jail time.

In a statement to the press, David Fogt from the CSLB Registrar underscored the importance of hiring licensed contractors for home improvement projects. He pointed out how after a storm, unlicensed contractors are more likely to take advantage of the moment and approach people in need of home repair.

Fogt’s message concluded with him saying, “That’s why CSLB educates consumers on how to protect themselves by hiring a licensed contractor — it takes just a few minutes to find a licensed contractor in California.”

Most contractors know that the CSLB operates under the umbrella of the Department of Consumer Affairs. The board licenses and regulates about 285,000 contractors in California and it requires that all of them carry some form of insurance or another to comply with public safety standards and to meet established quality standards.

When unsuspecting clients wind up hiring unlicensed contractors like the four individuals who got caught so recently in Eureka, they are unknowingly taking on a great deal of risk. Because the work of an unlicensed contractor is performed without the CSLB’s endorsement or oversight.

Homeowners hiring unlicensed contractors to perform construction work that exceeds the $500 limit open themselves up to potential legal problems and safety issues. They could be taking on the legal liability for any damages incurred as a result of the unlicensed construction work.

Taking on costs associated with workers’ compensation, building code violations, having to redo shoddy construction work, and other similar costs is wholly unnecessary. The CSLB strongly encourages consumers to plan ahead and hire a licensed contractor to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality work from contractors.

Why California Construction Business is Booming in 2024

Contractors are keeping busy this year. All over California, the construction industry is seeing a significant boom for a variety of reasons.

In this article, we break down the key factors responsible for the current upswing in job creation and economic development that the California construction business is experiencing in 2024.

Infrastructure Investment

The state government is putting a lot into improving transportation, public facility upgrades, and updating water and energy infrastructure right now.

A recent report tells us that California has had $32.7 billion announced in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding. Of this amount, $24.18 billion is dedicated to transportation-related projects – so that could be a good in for civil engineers and public works contractors.

You can keep yourself updated about ongoing transportation projects in California on the California Department of Transportation website. The Office of Governor Gavin Newsom also launched Build.ca.gov to help you track exactly how money is being used for building projects around the state.

It might also be worth mentioning that there are government incentives promoting growth in construction and development.

For instance, construction projects supporting affordable housing, renewable energy goals, and earthquake-resistant builds — since these projects are good for Californians state-wide, so they help companies qualify for tax credits, grants, and subsidies.

Housing Demand

California is just one of those attractive places that people want to call home.

The state has long grappled with a housing shortage, but in 2024 we’re seeing developers go full-tilt in their efforts to build new apartment buildings, condos, and single-family homes.

Over five thousand homes were just fast-tracked by an affordable housing initiative across 10 statewide projects.

You might have seen our post about ADU builds and noticed how homeowners are adding even more residential space to properties where they live. That’s just another indication of how busy construction is in California right now.

Green Building Initiatives

California frequently encourages builders to help the state reduce its environmental footprint and there’s no sign of that stopping in 2024. 2023 was the hottest year on record, underlining the reality that green construction is more important than ever – which is a great opportunity for contractors who know their environmentally-conscious construction.

With the growing emphasis on sustainable and energy-efficient design and construction, certain government incentives and mandates lead to upgrades, renovations, and other construction projects that promote a greener California.

Advancements in Tech

Based on what we’ve covered in our article AI and Automation Construction trends and what you’ve no doubt observed in the field, you see that Building Information Modeling (BIM), drones, and automation increase efficiency and productivity in construction.

The more construction companies adapt to emerging tech, the higher the demand for their services – and the future is only going to demand you stay up-to-date with current tech in order to serve your customers appropriately.

Consistent Contractors Like You

Just as the construction business in California is growing at a steady pace, so is the number of new contractor licenses being issued.

If you’re looking for immediate, to-the-minute news about infrastructure updates, new housing development, green initiatives, and new tech, one of your best sources will be your peers in the field.

This flourishing industry relies on consistent, knowledgeable contractors like you who are really invested in construction work and how the landscape of the business is changing year to year. So keep yourself updated and check out some construction events in 2024.

Get yourself to some expos and industry conferences. You’ll see how all the factors we discussed in this post create new jobs and amp up construction activity statewide.

Clients Will Look Up Your Contractor License – Be Prepared!

Maybe you just realized your contractor license is past expiration, but you’re still completing a job. Maybe you’re taking on odd jobs here or there and the classification of your contractor license doesn’t actually cover that category of work. Maybe you’re just curious — Will the people who hire you check up on the validity of your license? Can they even check?

Yes. Clients can and will check to ensure that their contractors and their licenses are in good standing – and why wouldn’t they? Wouldn’t you do your due diligence if you were spending thousands on a new home or millions on an office?

Your clients will 100% check your license, so you need to be prepared to keep your license up-to-date…or failing that, do what you can to fix it. Here’s how.

Keep Your Contractor License Current…Or Else!

One of the first things your clients will do while hiring you is to check the validity and current status of your contractor’s license.

The client is looking for certainty and safety. They want to know that the significant money they are investing into their construction project is going to be put to good use by someone who knows what they’re doing.

In their minds, the outcome of their construction project depends on you and the entire contractor team being fit to work and in good legal standing with the state of California. Not only are they looking to make sure that you’ll deliver a good product, but they also want to know that they’ll be safe living and working in the house you built – two things that are verified by a license.

Not having a valid license will not only scare away potential clients who would much rather go with someone legitimate and licensed, but it will also lead to severe criminal penalties should you take on jobs over $500 without a license.

The state of California does not mess around when it comes to unlicensed contracting. Get a license, or don’t even think about doing construction. It’s that simple.

Anyone Can Check Your Contractor License On The CSLB Website

You can always count on clients visiting the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) website to check the status of your license. And it makes sense too, doesn’t it?

With the CSLB being the governing body responsible for issuing and regulating whatever contractor licenses you hold, they’re likely the first and only place someone might think to search for and verify the documents you hold indicating that you’re eligible for contractor work.

Since anyone can and will check your license at any time, thanks to the magnificence of the internet, it’s more important than ever to maintain your license and make sure you’re in good standing with the CSLB.

What Do Clients Check to Decide if You’re a Safe Choice?

Clients will always do their diligence when it comes to construction projects. If that’s surprising to you, you might consider another field of work.

People will naturally want to make sure the hundreds, thousands, hundreds of thousands, or hundreds of millions of dollars they’re investing in their construction project are being invested wisely and carefully.

Here’s the 5 main things they’ll look for.

  • Your Contractor License Number
    Your business card, website, wherever you advertise your services, or even your licensing documents themselves are a few places from where a person hiring you will grab your license number. Once they have that info, they will run a check on the CSLB website to see if you’re legit.
  • Previous Work
    One of the most obvious things that clients will look at when validating your qualifications is your previous work – especially previous work that is similar to their current project.
  • References
    Contractors – and people in general – first look to references from people they know and trust. As you grow your career, your network and references will grow, creating more opportunities and building your reputation in your niche.
  • Website
    A professional website is essential to creating a positive, professional impression on your potential client. There’s no excuse to not have a simple, beautiful website in 2024. Sure, it’s easier to not set up a website, but you’re just leaving money on the table.
  • Social Media
    The folks hiring you want to know that you have valid worker’s compensation insurance coverage. They’ll want to be sure that they are not liable in case of injuries to you or your employees while you complete their construction projects.
  • Reviews
    Of course, they’ll want to check reviews and the personal testimony of previous clients. How did you do? How was your rapport? Clients work to gather insights and impressions to get a sense of what it might be like to work with you.

Conclusion

Verifying the validity and current status of your California contractor’s license is often a client’s first step toward building trust in you and your work.

While it can be tough to keep renewing licenses and applying for additional licenses depending on the nature of your construction projects, it’s worth it if it means retaining clients and maintaining your reputation as a reliable and capable contractor.

As a contractor, your reputation is everything, and like it or not, a valid contractor license in good standing with the CSLB can make or break your reputation immediately.

Solar Server reports Construction resumes on 250 MW California Valley Solar Ranch

On November 2nd, 2011 SunPower Corporation (San Jose, California, U.S.) announced an agreement with environmental and land use organizations to settle and dismiss a lawsuit against the 250 MW California Valley Solar Ranch (CVSR) solar photovoltaic (PV) project.
Following this announcement, Bechtel Corporation (San Francisco, California, U.S.) reported that it has received Full Notice to Proceed on construction of the CVSR. Bechtel began working on the site in August 2011, and construction is scheduled to last roughly two years.
“Upon completion, the California Valley Solar Ranch will produce clean, renewable energy to meet the power needs of approximately 100,000 homes,” said Bechtel Renewable Power Division President Ian Copeland. “Equally important, it will be built with minimal impact to the land and habitat.”
“We are honored that SunPower Corporation selected Bechtel to deliver this world-class, large-scale solar facility that will advance the renewable energy industry.”

SunPower limits use of site to 50 years
Under the agreement with North County Watch (Templeton, California, U.S.) and Carrizo Commons (San Luis Obispo, California, U.S.), SunPower has agreed to limit the use of the site to 50 years, and to decommission the plant and restore habitat at the site within that time frame.
The company has also agreed to provide for enhanced communication and collaboration regarding mitigation and monitoring activities during the construction of the project, as well as funding of research for endangered species.
SunPower had previously committed to preserve more than 36 square kilometers of grasslands in the area.

SunPower to advertise at Orchard Supply Hardware
Also on November 2nd, 2011 SunPower announced that it will offer PV systems via informational displays at Orchard Supply Hardware (OHS, San Jose, California, U.S.) stores in California, as well as on the company’s web site.

Contractors State License Services introduces new Solar PV Technical Sales Course

Contractors State License Services (CSLS) has introduced a new Solar PV Technical Sales Course intended to teach the skills necessary to work as a salesperson in the growing solar industry. This course covers important sales skills combined with the technical information that are specific to a solar sales position. The course includes a comprehensive curriculum covering; mining for prospective customers, evaluating the needs of a PV System customer, the technicalities of site analysis and system selection, concept design, performance estimates, economic analysis, financial concepts, proposal formation and building a working relationship with your customers. Robert Srinivas the Regional Green Technology Training Manager at CSLS developed this program to help people in construction or sales related fields transfer their skills to this broadening industry. The first class was held at the CSLS Orange location on October 8th and 9th, 2011. Initial response to the class was very positive. Willy Littlefield, course participant shared “Rob had a passion and depth of understanding in solar. I asked many challenging questions and all of my questions were answered fully”. Classes are planned to be held at Contractors State License School locations throughout California. For details on the course schedule interested contractors and sales professionals can contact the corporate offices at Contractor State License Services 800-331-4691.

NAHB Reports: Builders of 55+ Rental Units See Future Market Improvement

Posted by NAHB May 16, 2011

Builder confidence in the 55+ housing market was markedly more upbeat in the first quarter of 2011 for apartment production and demand than for sales of single-family or condominium homes, according new data from the 55+ Housing Market Index (HMI), a quarterly NAHB report that tracks builder sentiment in the 55+ housing segment.

The relative strength in the 55+ multifamily rental market is consistent with other indicators that suggest pent-up housing demand will be first unlocked in rental markets, pushing rental vacancies rates down and rents up. The relative weakness on the owner-occupied side of the 55+ HMI reflects ongoing weakness in housing, particularly for 55+ buyers who in most cases must sell their existing home before purchasing a new residence.

The expected demand index for 55+ multifamily rental units rose 10 points, to 44, from a year earlier. A number greater than 50 indicates that more builders view conditions as good than poor.  The indices of current and expected production of 55+ apartments gained 7 and 8 points, up to 20 and 27, respectively, in the first quarter of 2011.  The index measuring current demand jumped 11 points, up to 39.

LA Times reports: KB Home hopes building green turns luxury condo sales red hot

By Tiffany Hsu, Los Angeles Times

May 17, 2011

KB Home, a major home builder, is hoping energy saving, eco-friendly features will help drive sales of luxury condos.

When it opens Tuesday, the company’s Primera Terra residential development in Playa Vista will include a host of green essentials: A white “cool roof” to deflect sunlight and heat, electric vehicle charging stations in the garage and storage space for bicycles.

The condo complex with 52 units also has its own community garden. Each condo has a tankless water heater and hi-tech showerheads that save as many as 2,700 gallons a year.

Residents can save more than 40% on their energy bill compared with a typical new home of comparable size, executives said. Condo owners can monitor energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and electricity costs through their computer, iPad or iPhone using a device connected to each unit’s electrical panel.

The construction was also environmental friendly, company executives said. More than 95% of the waste generated during construction was recycled. Builders used nontoxic paints and carpeting.

KB Home said Primera Terra is among the largest residential communities in the state to be awarded Platinum certification — the top rating from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, program.

The complex is among the first of its kind to land the certificate without including solar panels in the design, executives said.

In February, KB Home launched its Energy Performance Guide, a label included with all model homes that displays the new property’s expected energy efficiency and estimated electricity bill.

Contractors State License Services hosts Open House statewide in recognition of Earth Day and Green Construction

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

http://www.contractorslicensingschools.com/

 Contractors State License Services hosts Open House statewide in recognition of Earth Day and Green Construction.

 Contractors State License Services (CSLS) will be hosting an open house at all school locations throughout California on April 29th, 2011 in recognition of Earth Day and Green Construction.  A variety of speakers and vendors offering construction related information; green products and construction business services are scheduled at 20 plus locations throughout the state. CSLS and strategic partners are working together to educate Contractors and Construction workers on available services and products that can help them take advantage of value-added green offerings that they can integrate into their construction business. “Green construction starts with getting your contractor’s license so assisting students and graduates to get connected in this growing part of the industry is a wonderful opportunity for Contractors”, says David Mizener, CSLS CEO.

At many of the Contractors State License Services school locations Green industry experts, speakers and vendors will participate including American Home Inspection Training (AHIT), Home Depot, HD Supply, Dunn-Edwards Paints, Global HVAC/Ruud, Lowes, Harbor Freight Tools, Jem Industrial Coatings, CBIA Insurance Services, Ewaste Recycler, Contractor Manager, Deep Blue Pool Service, Corp 911 and Solar Seminars.

For this event topics of discussion will cover Zero VOC Paint products, Green insulation, Energy Audit Training, Solar Installation, Sustainable building, Energy Tax Rebates for consumers, Energy efficient appliances, Tankless water heaters, Greenscaping including native landscaping, and much more.  CSLS will also present information on the recently required EPA-Renovation, Repair and Painting certification. Promotions, giveaways and special offers will also be part of this statewide event. Schedules and presenters vary by location. For details on individual school events interested contractors can contact the corporate offices at Contractor State License Services 800-331-4691.

  About CSLS (http://contractorslicensingschools.com/) @contractorslic  #Contractors#License

Contractors State License Services (CSLS) is the largest school in California devoted to the Construction professional. For over 25 years, CSLS has helped its students pass the exam to become licensed contractors in the State of California, licensing more students than any other school. In fact, 1 in 3 applicants to the California State Licensing Board (CSLB) have used CSLS to successfully pass the exam. Contractors State License Services offers licensing classes for all types of contractor licenses, including: General Engineering Contractor | General Building Contractor | Specialty Contractor | Insulation and Acoustical Contractor | Framing and Rough Carpentry Contractor | Cabinet, Millwork and Finish Carpentry Contractor | Concrete Contractor | Drywall Contractor | Electrical Contractor | Elevator Contractor | Landscaping Contractor | Warm-Air Heating | Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor, and many others. Contractors State License Services also provides CSLS Contractors with Business Development Services to assist in every aspect of sustaining a strong Construction Business. These include Bonds, Corporation Services, DBA’s, Application Processing, Fingerprint Services, Home Inspection training courses, BPI Energy Audit training courses, NAPCEP Solar PV Photovoltaic Installer training courses, Locksmithing training courses, and Insurance Services.

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LA Times reports: Japan quake jolts retrofitting demand in Southland

Companies report a surge in calls from homeowners after the earthquake and tsunami. The work can be expensive, and prices can vary widely.

By Shan Li, Los Angeles Times
March 16, 2011

Like many construction businesses, Jonathan Weinstein’s company suffered during the economic downturn. Then, on Friday, the phones hardly stopped ringing.

Weinstein Retrofitting Systems Inc., based in Van Nuys, specializes in earthquake retrofitting for homes.

“Whenever there’s a big disaster anywhere in the world, it puts safety in the front and center of people’s minds,” said Weinstein, vice president of the family-owned company. The firm has had a threefold increase in phone calls since the disastrous earthquake hit Japan, he said. Some callers were merely anxious, others frantic.

“People feel compelled to do something,” Weinstein said.

Jacqueline Boucher, who is in escrow on a duplex in Mid-City, is among those who called the company. She had set aside $10,000 for window treatments and other cosmetic niceties. Then she watched whole Japanese fishing villages crumble like plastic toys and called Weinstein’s company.

Earthquake preparedness “just went to No. 1 on my priority list,” said Boucher, 40, who works as a clerk for the city of Los Angeles. “It’s not like it wasn’t a priority before. But now I believe one is coming, and it’ll be bad.”

Across earthquake-prone Southern California, other retrofit companies also saw a huge jump in calls.

Stern’s Construction Inc. in Woodland Hills hadn’t gotten such a high volume of inquiries since 1994. That was the year of the Northridge earthquake, which caused more than 60 deaths and 5,000 injuries, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“In 1994 every business saw a huge boom,” company owner Terry Stern said. “We were doing 1,500 houses a year.”

There have been numerous other massive quakes since then, such as in Haiti last year. But the temblor in Japan especially struck a nerve.

“The average person might not be able to tell you exactly where Haiti is,” said Mike Goldberg, owner of White Castle Construction in Los Angeles. “But people can really identify with Japan. They probably drive a Japanese car. It’s more real to them and it really hits home.”

Owners of commercial buildings did not, for the most part, join in the frenzy to get retrofitted, said Steven Saunders, president of Saunders Commercial Seismic Retrofit in Costa Mesa.

“These are people with large properties, and they tend to be far more rational than individual homeowners,” Saunders said. “They have a schedule for when to do repairs or to retrofit their buildings. They can’t be scared and decide to do these projects in a week.”

Some homeowners who contacted Goldberg’s business were definitely in panic mode. He said a Los Angeles woman, who was out of town on vacation, harangued her sister into swinging by his office to drop off a deposit in $100 bills. It was an attempt to secure an early place in line for retrofitting.

Retrofitting homes can be expensive, and prices can vary widely. Companies send workers into crawl spaces under houses to strengthen foundations with concrete, if needed, and bolt down wooden frames.

Reinforcing homes with metal rods or brackets, the minimum required for stability, typically costs a minimum of about $3,000, according to several construction companies. A cracked foundation or other serious problem could ratchet up the price several times that amount.

That demand after the Northridge earthquake tapered off as memories of the event faded.

Goldberg’s company did get a small upsurge in retrofitting business during the recession from people wanting to protect their most valuable possession — their homes.

“They were basically saying, ‘I can’t tell you definitely I’m going to have a job soon, but I can tell you if I lose my house in a quake I am really up the creek,” Goldberg said.

Still, even in affluent neighborhoods such as Hancock Park and Beverly Hills, there are numerous unretrofitted homes built before stringent safety requirements, Stern said. He referred to these buildings as an “untapped market.”

Eric Scott, 27, bought a home in Granada Hills in 2008 that an inspector’s report described as “partially retrofitted.” It didn’t bother him, however, because the house had sustained no damage as a result of the 1994 earthquake centered in nearby Northridge.

“I never even read the report to figure out what ‘partially retrofitted’ meant,” Scott said. “I was excited to do other things, like buy new furniture.”

Then, he watched the near-constant coverage of what happened in Japan.

“It was very in your face and very tragic,” Scott said. “The first thought that came to my head immediately was I’ve got to get my house fixed. Now.”

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Understanding the Contractor’s License Bond


In California, anyone who contracts to perform work that is valued at $500 or more for labor and materials must hold a current, valid license from the Contractors State License Board (hereinafter “CSLB”) and must carry a Contractor’s License Bond. Surety bonds are commonly used for this purpose, but cash or certificates of deposit may also be posted. All Contractor License Bonds must be implemented by an authorized surety company, in a manner up to the required standard of the CSLB and suitable to the State of California. Currently the CSLB requires that contractor’s bonds be in the sum of twelve thousand five hundred dollars ($12,500). At their discretion, the Board may require an applicant to carry a higher bond amount or separate bonds for contractors who have been disciplined, and the amounts of these bonds vary. The bond amount is not per job. It is the amount available for all jobs a contractor takes on during the life of the bond.

A surety bond is a contract in which a surety company promises the State of California that the contractor will comply with the Contractors’ State License Law. Generally speaking, a licensed contractor is obligated not to commit any violations of the Contractors’ State License Law. The law describes and identifies specific violations that the bond will cover and violations can result in disciplinary action against the licensed contractor. California Business and Professions Code § 7071.15 provides that failure to maintain a sufficient bond can result in a minimum penalty of suspension ranging from 60 days up to 1 year probation, and a maximum penalty of revocation. Additionally, if warranted the CSLB can impose an actual suspension of the license for 5 days or more, require contractors to retake the CSLB law and business examination if not taken within the past 5 years, impose educational course requirements, or require payment of CSLB investigation and enforcements costs.

If the contractor does not comply with the conditions of the bond, a consumer, supplier or an employee can file a claim against the bond. California Business and Professions Code § 7071.5 provides that the contractor’s bond shall be for the benefit of the following:
(a) A homeowner contracting for home improvement upon the homeowner’s personal family residence damaged as a result of a violation of this chapter by the licensee.
(b) A property owner contracting for the construction of a single-family dwelling who is damaged as a result of a violation of this chapter by the licensee. That property owner shall only recover under this subdivision if the single-family dwelling is not intended for sale or offered for sale at the time the damages were incurred.
(c) A person damaged as a result of a willful and deliberate violation of this chapter by the licensee, or by the fraud of the licensee in the execution or performance of a construction contract.
(d) An employee of the licensee damaged by the licensee’s failure to pay wages.
(e) A person or entity, including an express trust fund described in Section 3111 of the Civil Code, to whom a portion of the compensation of an employee of a licensee is paid by agreement with that employee or the collective bargaining agent of that employee, damaged as the result of the licensee’s failure to pay fringe benefits for its employees, including, but not limited to, employer payments described in Section 1773.1 of the Labor Code and regulations thereunder (without regard to whether the work was performed on a private or public work). Damage to an express trust fund is limited to actual employer payments required to be made on behalf of employees of the licensee, as part of the overall compensation of those employees, which the licensee fails to pay.

General requirements for bonds include the following:
•Bonds are NOT transferable – do not attempt to transfer a bond from
one license to another or from one qualifying individual to another;
•The business name and license number on the bond must correspond EXACTLY to the information in the records of the CSLB
•The license number on the bond of a qualifying individual must match that of the firm for whom the individual is to serve as the qualifying individual;
•Contractors bonds must be in the correct amount of $12,500;
•A bond of a qualifying individual must be in the correct amount of $12,500;
•The bond must have the signature of the attorney-in-fact ; and
•Bonds must be filed with the CSLB within 90 days of the effective date of the bond.

To avoid problems with the bonds filed for your license and to maintain your bonds, the following guidelines are helpful:
•Keep your required bonds, cash deposits, or bond exemptions current at all times;
•Renew your bonds promptly. Make sure that the effective date of a new bond is the same as the cancellation date of the old bond and allow for processing time;
•Only one bond is effective at any time. A second bond filed for the same period will cancel out the first bond;
•CSLB does not return any bond that has been accepted or processed for an active license; and
•Keep accurate records on your agent, surety company, bond numbers, effective dates, and terms of the bonds.

If a contractor receives notice from their surety company that a claim has been filed against his/her bond, the contractor should immediately contact the surety company to respond to the claim and explain his/her position. The contractor should also submit all documentation relevant to the claim. If a complaint is filed with the CSLB, the contractor should also respond immediately and provide the CSLB all of the requested information and documentation throughout the course of the investigation. Complaints filed with the CSLB and with surety companies are taken very seriously and a contractor’s cooperation is critical to a successful resolution.
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1. See California Business and Professions Code § 7071.6.
2. The term attorney-in-fact is commonly used in the United States, to make a distinction from the term Attorney at law. An attorney-at-law in the United States is a lawyer—someone licensed to practice law in a particular jurisdiction. As an agent, an attorney-in-fact is a fiduciary for the principal, so the law requires an attorney-in-fact to be completely honest with and loyal to the principal in their dealings with each other. See Wikipedia @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_of_attorney .