6 Reasons to Choose a Contractor with a License
Similar to many crafty and enthusiastic homeowners, you wonder if you shouldn’t install a book nook on your second floor, redo the tile-work in your master bathroom, or add a wall outlet to your home officer yourself. Do you really need to hire a professional? Do they really need to be a licensed contractor?
A license to build should not be taken lightly. The benefits of having a licensed contractor take the lead on your home projects might become clearer if you take into consideration that it’s not exactly easy to receive a contractor’s license. The strict guidelines overseen by the Contractor State Licensing Boards (CSLB) and all the qualification requirements for receiving a license set a licensed contractor apart with many advantages. Below are just some of these worthwhile benefits.
A Licensed Contractor Is An Experienced Contractor
In order to receive their license, contractors are required to have at least four years of verifiable experience in their specialized line of work. They also have to pass both a law and a business exam as well as a trade exam. This is all in addition to the requirement of the knowledge, experience, and skills to run and oversee the daily tasks of a construction firm or project.
Whereas unlicensed contractors may boast a wide range of services, a CSLB license has various classifications and not every contractor can or should do everything. A Class A - General Engineering Contractor license deals with work that requires specialized engineering knowledge and skills. A Class B - General Building Contractor is someone who will work on structures that require at least two unrelated building trades or crafts. A Class C - Specialty Contractor is exactly how it sounds; they take on projects that require specialized skill and building trades.
Depending on the state and trade, licensed contractors may also have continuing education requirements. Hiring a licensed contractor means you are getting someone who knows what they’re doing very well, and what they know is up to date.