Once you’ve successfully obtained your contractor’s license, you may think you’re ready to go! In some ways, you are – at least, you have all the foundational pieces you need to embark on a successful career. But building a business is not a one-and-done process.
To discover how to move forward after getting a construction license in California, keep reading. In this guide, you’ll discover the next important steps to take in the process.
Manage Your Business
Having a construction license is only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to running a successful business. On top of your construction background, you’ll also need to understand the important intricacies of business.
Two areas of focus include:
Financing
You can’t succeed in construction without a firm grasp of your company’s financials. This largely comes down to materials and labor costs, which are especially finicky in today’s market.
Getting an accurate estimate from the beginning will help you stay on top of costs throughout the work you do. If you need help in this area, it may be wise to hire an accountant or financial advisor who can help you keep an eye on each project.
Marketing
You can’t earn projects if your potential clients have never heard of you! With this in mind, you’ll want to invest in some marketing as you get up and running.
Start with a quality website, some Google local service ads, and a social media account or two. And if you have past customers who were happy with your work, ask for a testimonial!
Build a Good Reputation
Good construction is not just about building properties – it’s also about building relationships. If you finish your projects on time and on budget, the word will get out. Eventually, you’ll build a reputation that will get you far.
Here are a few things to focus on as you seek to build a reliable reputation:
- Anticipate and be ready for potential problems
- Be responsive with your clients (return phone calls and attend meetings)
- Take the safety of your job site seriously
- Invest in reliable equipment
- Be honest when you come across bumps in the road
Nobody wants to work with a contractor who has a poor reputation. If you invest in the things mentioned above, you’ll be in a good place to generate referrals and repeat business.
Renew Your License
After you get your California contractor licensing, you’ll need to renew the license every two years. The state licensing board should send you a renewal application around 60 days before the license is set to expire.
You will also be expected to pay a fee in order to renew the license. The standard renewal fee is $450, but that number can change depending on the status of your license and whether you are late to renew.
You cannot perform construction work if you have an expired, inactive, or suspended license. So, it’s important to stay up to date with your renewal if you hope to continue doing construction work for years to come. Partner with The License Company to ensure that your construction license is always up to date, no matter which state you’re in!