Articles

By Mark J. Rice, Construction Attorney

You remember what they say about how laws are made? That it’s like sausage – tasty, but you do not want to see how it’s made. Well, that really is not close to accurate. The process of legislation is more like Tofu – no matter how you dress it up, its still Tofu, bland and tasteless, still ugly to watch being made, and ultimately, no substitute for a good Kielbasa with sauerkraut, relish and mustard, swilled down with a hearty IPA watching the game at the Flatiron.

By Shauna Krause, President, Capitol Services, Inc.

While many trades have become more specialized others have ‘drifted’ into portions of other skilled work. That has raised the confusion levels among many contractors about what is now allowed within their scope of work. Sales and installation of some products have also triggered misunderstandings about who can do what with which license. That’s why we’re the experts answering those questions because, as we have always noted, knowledge is power…

By Shauna Krause, President, Capitol Services, Inc.

Many contractors are taking advantage of California now allowing operations as a Limited Liability Company. However, keeping the license number you had for years might be an issue. But first, another contractor discovers a way to ‘waive’ the exam in qualifying a new corporate license…

March 14, 2014

April 21st Crow Canyon Country Club - Benefitting the Cypress Mandela Training Center

It is with great anticipation that we get ready for our 2nd Annual BABX CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC to be held at the beautiful course at Crow Country Club in San Ramon on Monday, April 21st, 2014.  

Proceeds from this event will benefit the Cypress Mandela Pre-Apprenticeship program.

By Joe Diliberto, Sandler Training, Oakland, CA

Ask salespeople to list their least favorite selling activities, and you can count on "prospecting" being at the top of the list. And, the least favorite of all prospecting activities is unquestionably making cold calls.

Why?

Because prospects have an unending list of excuses for dismissing salespeople before the prospecting call conversation actually gets started.

By Shauna Krause, President, Capitol Services, Inc.

Having assisted contractors with licensing and other industry issues for more than 30 years, the questions that come into the office remain interesting and unpredictable. Sometimes the question comes from rumor, mistaken understanding or simple wishful thinking. In this instance, despite our appreciation at being asked, the answers can sometimes be clear, but also disappointing when we have to set the record straight…

By Shauna Krause, President, Capitol Services, Inc.

While it’s certain contractors need to be licensed, some other ‘players’ must also ‘ante up’ if they want to be in the construction ‘game’. What seems like a simple mistake, you might also be making, could leave another contractor in ‘suspense’ if he doesn’t act quickly to correct it, because, as Oliver Wendell Holmes said, ‘ignorance of the law is no excuse’…