Home›Free Resources

Free Resources for
SoCal Contractors

Guides, tips, and reference material to help you run a tighter, more profitable contracting business in California.

📋
Contracts
The 13 Things Every CA Home Improvement Contract Must Include
A plain-English breakdown of B&P Code §7159 — the 13 required elements CSLB inspectors look for in every home improvement contract.
Get the full contract template →
💰
Estimating
Markup vs. Margin: Why Most Contractors Price Their Work Wrong
A 20% markup is NOT a 20% margin. Learn the difference and why it matters for your profitability on every single job.
Get the estimate calculator →
🔒
Lien Waivers
Which California Lien Waiver Form to Use (and When)
California has 4 mandatory lien waiver forms under Civil Code §§8132–8138. Using the wrong one at the wrong time can leave you exposed.
Get all 4 lien waiver forms →
📅
Compliance
CSLB License Renewal: A Timeline for Not Letting Your License Lapse
Your CSLB license expiration triggers a cascade of automatic consequences — bond cancellation, workers' comp issues, and more. Here's the timeline.
Get the compliance calendar →
👥
Hiring
AB5 for Contractors: Who Is an Employee vs. Independent Contractor in California?
California's ABC test makes it significantly harder to classify workers as 1099 contractors. What you need to know before your next hire.
Read the full guide →
📣
Marketing
The 5-Step Follow-Up System That Wins More Bids
80% of sales happen after the 5th contact. Most contractors never follow up more than once. Here's a simple system that fixes that.
Get the full marketing playbook →
⚠️
Common Mistakes
The Down Payment Rule That Gets Contractors in Trouble Most Often
The legal maximum is 10% or $1,000 — whichever is less. Many contractors don't know this. CSLB investigators look for it on every complaint.
Get CSLB-compliant contracts →
🏗️
Operations
Why You Should Never Skip Permits (Even When Your Client Asks)
Unpermitted work can void homeowner's insurance, block property sales, and result in CSLB license suspension. Here's what's at stake.
Get the operations guide →
📊
Finance
Quarterly Estimated Taxes for California Contractors: What, When & How Much
Federal + CA FTB estimated taxes are due 4 times a year. Miss them and you'll pay penalties — even if you file on time in April.
Get the full financial guide →
Ready for the full toolkit?

Get Every Template, Form & Guide

The free articles give you the knowledge. The bundle gives you the actual documents — ready to use on your next job.

Get the Bundle — $199