Construction cleaning services are normally contracted out to third-party companies that specialize in construction zone clean-up and safe disposal of excess debris. A clean site once the job is done is a critical phase of the construction process.
Construction clean-up Contractors that have professional-grade equipment and adhere to public health and safety regulations can create a highly lucrative business within a multi-billion, dollar industry.
This article will cover everything you need to know about how to legally offer construction cleaning services!
What is a C-61 / D-63 Construction Clean-up Contractor?
Duties associated with Construction Clean up
- Vacuuming and removal of construction debris
- Residential and commercial post construction/remodel clean up
- Removing construction dust from: Flooring, cabinets, furniture, walls, and doors
- Removal of dust from vents and light fixtures
- Pressure washing
- Safe disposal of toxic construction debris
- Safe operation of scaffolds. shop vacuums, and dump trucks
- Containment of hazardous chemicals and lead paint
- Pre and post job site evaluation
- Bidding, estimating and accounting
What is a subcontractor?
Construction clean-up contractors are typically hired by General Contractors to complete the final stages of construction or remodel project that.
General Contractors oversee that the subcontractor has executed their duties in adhering to environmental regulations and to the specific requests of a client.
Learn more about the General Contractor License!
CSLB
The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is the governing body for all contractors in the state of California.
Their sole responsibility is to protect the consumer public. They ensure that anyone charging over $500 for construction services is qualified and registered with the state.
- The CSLB issues the construction clean-up contractor license in the state of California.
- The CSLB has a state-wide task force that conducts sting operations targeting unlicensed construction activity.
- Getting caught contracting without a license in California is punishable with fines up to $15,000 and 6 months in the county jail
Blue Print Reading Course
Being able to read and understand blueprints is a core skill for anyone working in or around a construction site.
Identifying the structural details and dimensions of a building before beginning the clean-up process can be very valuable.
Construction blueprints communicate an array of information to builders.
Being comfortable with construction blueprints is an invaluable skill for all tradesmen, but can be especially important for a construction clean-up contractor who may be a part of a larger construction project.
Learn how to read Construction Blueprints!
C-61/D-63 Construction Clean-up License Requirements
To get the construction clean-up contractor license in California, you must prove a minimum of 4 years of journeyman-level experience and pass a two-part state exam with the Contractor State License Board.
To qualify for an exam date you must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a valid Driver's License or USA Issued Identification
- Have a Social Security or ITIN #
- Not Currently on probation or parole
You must also have:
- 4 Years Journey Level Experience
- A Certifier to sign off on your experience
- A way to prove your experience if the state asks for documentation
What is a Journey level experience?
Journeyman-level experience means that you have worked unsupervised full-time for a construction clean-up company, or for a contractor that holds the C-61/D-63 License.
- A journeyman can perform all of the duties associated with his or her trade.
The CSLB will want to see four full-time years over the last ten years. The years do not need to be consecutive, but they do need to be four years in total.
Signature of a Certifier
The following people may be used as certifier to sign off on your experience when applying for the construction clean-up contractor license:
- Licensed General Contractor
- C-61/D-63 License Holder
- Fellow Employee (within the last 10 years)
- Former Supervisor (within the last 10 years)
- Business Associate
- Fellow Journeyman
- Union Representative
Filling out the Contractor License Application
- Your certifier will also need to provide a brief but detailed description of your knowledge and skill set.
- The way this description is written will be critical to whether or not your application is accepted. For example:
“Sam is a nice guy and very experienced” is not descriptive enough for the CSLB.
The people reviewing your application will want to see something like:
“Sam has cleaned up residential and commercial job sites and has safely disposed of various construction debris. Sam knows how to operate a dump truck as well as using a variety of cleaning products in adherence to EPA standards” etc.
- The description written by your qualifying individual will need to include the core skills required for the construction clean-up contractor license.
Proving your work experience
You must be prepared to submit documentation supporting the experience you claim to have. The Contractors State License Board gives you a few ways that you can prove your experience which include:
- Tax Returns
- Check Stubs
- Contracts
- Material Order Invoices or Receipts
The CSLB receives thousands of applications per month so there is a good chance they won’t document your experience.
However, if you are one of the applicants that get reviewed you will need to be ready to submit something.
The CSLB does not accept pictures of projects.
Application Processing, Fees, and Criminal History
The time it takes to get your application processed and assigned a test date fluctuates throughout the year.
Typically you can expect:
- 6-8 Week Application Processing Time
- 3-4 Week wait for an Exam date
I have seen some situations where applicants got their test date sooner and somewhere they got their test date much later.
The most common reasons your application would get held up are:
- Time of year (processing time slows down during the holidays)
- Criminal History
- Proving Experience
- Mistakes on your application
State Fees
The current state fees are:
1. State Application Fee (one-time fee per application sent to the state board )
2. License Activation Fee ( paid every two years )
You will also need to pay for live scan fingerprinting.
Construction Bonds
Upon passing the exam, the state board requires you to have a Contractor Bond number. A construction bond is a security deposit issued by a surety company.
- Bonds are designed to protect the consumer public against contractor default. They act as protection mechanisms for clients from unethical or illegal actions performed by contractors.
- Bonds also ensure that subcontractors get paid for their work.
- Furthermore, they ensure or that a contractor performs his duties as stated in a contract.
Construction bonds protect employees, suppliers, sub-contractors, or clients against a contractor's failure to abide by an agreement.
Learn more about Construction Bonds!
Can you get a Contractor's License with a Felony in California?
Having a criminal record in no way stops you from getting a sandblasting contractor License. I have personally helped guys with all types of criminal records obtain multiple licenses.
The key is, to be honest on the application, even if the felony or misdemeanor happened years ago and even if it was expunged.
BE 100% HONEST ON THE APPLICATION, because they will see everything anyway when you do fingerprinting.
The CSLB handles criminal records on a case-by-case basis.
Remember, their responsibility is to protect the public. In my experience, they are primarily concerned with criminal charges associated with Fraud, Embezzlement, and Forgery.
The Contractor License Exam
Contractor licenses are broken down into four categories:
1) A-General Engineering
2) B-General Building
3) C-Specialty classes
4) C-61 / D-Limited Specialty classes
Each category of license except the D-Limited Specialty license class requires that you pass a TRADE exam. C-61 Classification licenses do not have trade portions.
You must only pass a LAW exam.
The exam is:
- 115 Questions on Contractor LAW
- 3 hours to complete
- Multiple choice, taken on a computer
- Closed Book
The Law Examination is divided into eight major sections:
1. Business Organization and Licensing (13%)
- Company organization
- Licensing requirements
- Advertising and subcontracting
2. Business Finances (15%)
- Cash management
- Budget and planning
- Taxes
- Financial reporting
3. Employment Requirements (20%)
- Hiring employees
- Supervising and training employees
- Evaluation and record-keeping
- Payroll
4. Insurance and Liens (12%)
- Workers’ compensation insurance
- Liens and other remedies
- Business insurance
5. Contract Requirements and Execution (21%)
- Bidding
- Cost control
- Project Organization
- Contracts
- Payments
6. Public Works (5%)
- Prevailing Wage Requirements
- Bonding Requirements
- Insurance Requirements
7. Safety (14%)
- Training and reporting requirements
- General safety
- Hazardous/unknown materials
8. Public Works (7%)
- Prevailing wage requirements
- Bonding requirements
- Insurance requirements
Learn more about Contractor License LAW!
Recommended Resources
CSLB Test Locations
The CSLB has exam centers all over the state of California. Once your application is approved you will be given a list of locations you can go and take the exam based on your zip code.
These are proctored facilities with cubicles where you take the exam on a computer. The computer will have a calculator for your use. You will not be able to bring in a phone, notes, or personal calculator to the exam center.
- The test is not available online. The CSLB allows you to bring a pre-approved translator with you.
- The CSLB will grant you 18 months after your application is accepted to pass the examination.
- ($100 per retake)
Contractor License Study Guides and Practice Tests
- Getting your construction clean-up license is a smooth process if you have the right information.
- It can be confusing to see unfamiliar terms used to describe tools or job site practices. The Contractor LAW exam covers a number of different topics.
- Questions are presented to you as if you are running a large-scale remodeling business with multiple employees.
- Being prepared and knowing what to study is the most important thing you can do in ensuring your success on the contractor license exam.
Apprenticeships
Generally, someone looking to become a construction clean-up contractor would want to look into an apprenticeship to find an experienced person to work with.
Getting the C-61/D-63 license is a smooth process.
For a detailed explanation of this process, check out my article: Apprentice vs Journeyman!
EPA Certification
During the construction clean-up process, contractors may encounter lead paint on the job.
Understanding how to safely contain lead-based paint when altering structures built before 1978 is required by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Getting a certification can help you expand your business and can be completed in a one-day 8-hour course.
Staying EPA compliant is not only important to the survival of your business but also to the safety of your customers.
Learn how to get an EPA certification in 8 hours!