Getting a GC license as an Owner builder

[David Maldonado]

Hey everyone,

So I applied to test for a GC license in California, but was short on experience. My BA got me 24 months of experience and my owner builder experience only gave me 4 months. As an owner builder, I built 3 ADUs and 1 JADU (subbed out the structure build and I did all the finish work). I did qualify I quit my job last month to focus more on real estate investing, and I want a GC license so I can contract my own builds. I know that I can keep going as an owner builder, but I also want to build new construction commercial properties, as well as having the GC license for credibility when working with other investors in the future. 

I love everything about construction. I first got into construction to save money on labor when I built my first ADU as an owner builder. I enjoyed the hard labor and comradery that I missed from my Navy days working in engineering.

My question is, how do I go about getting more experience on paper without having to commit to an employer/contractor for a long-term position?  Are there any investors on here that got their GC license later on and went on to contract your own builds?