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Updated 10 days ago, 11/19/2024

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Matt A.
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Contractors in California bay area without contractor license # or name on vehicles?

Matt A.
Posted

Why is it that so many General Contractors in the California Bay Area drive vehicles that don't display their contractor license number or business name? Aren't they required by law to display these items on their vehicles? I think "California Business and Professions code 7029.6" is the name of the law that requires them to display this?

I ask because I've interviewed a number of general contractors over the years for my various real estate projects and am shocked at how the vast majority showed up to the job site to give an estimate in a vehicle that did not display their contractor license number or business name.

Aside from this one issue, they'd often have great portfolios, long list of successful permits I could verify they pulled, great references, no complaints on their license, and had been licensed for over a decade. It made me wonder why they would not follow code 7029.6. Perhaps there is a reason I'm not aware of?

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Bruce Woodruff
Pro Member
#1 Contractors Contributor
  • Contractor/Investor/Consultant
  • West Valley Phoenix
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Bruce Woodruff
Pro Member
#1 Contractors Contributor
  • Contractor/Investor/Consultant
  • West Valley Phoenix
Replied

You're right, it is the law. And it is so stupid to not advertise every way and time possible, right? It's so easy to have some magnetic signs hanging around to throw on your other vehicle if you want to go do a bid and not take your big ole truck.

I have no answer as to why they don't take advantage of this.....it's just dumb (maybe there's your answer :-)

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Wilson Lau
Pro Member
  • Real Estate Agent
  • San Jose, CA
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95
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Wilson Lau
Pro Member
  • Real Estate Agent
  • San Jose, CA
Replied

It's interesting that you brought it up. I noticed 2 of the GCs I frequently worked with don't show their licenses as well. Perhaps they are scared of other bad players stealing their info? Or maybe they are not even interested in new businesses, since both of them have jobs lined up months ahead.

  • Wilson Lau
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    Sean O'Keefe
    Pro Member
    #2 Tax, SDIRAs & Cost Segregation Contributor
    • CPA | Accepting new clients | California
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    Sean O'Keefe
    Pro Member
    #2 Tax, SDIRAs & Cost Segregation Contributor
    • CPA | Accepting new clients | California
    Replied
    Quote from @Matt A.:

    Why is it that so many General Contractors in the California Bay Area drive vehicles that don't display their contractor license number or business name? Aren't they required by law to display these items on their vehicles? I think "California Business and Professions code 7029.6" is the name of the law that requires them to display this?

    I ask because I've interviewed a number of general contractors over the years for my various real estate projects and am shocked at how the vast majority showed up to the job site to give an estimate in a vehicle that did not display their contractor license number or business name.

    Aside from this one issue, they'd often have great portfolios, long list of successful permits I could verify they pulled, great references, no complaints on their license, and had been licensed for over a decade. It made me wonder why they would not follow code 7029.6. Perhaps there is a reason I'm not aware of?

    Following - I'm based in the Bay Area.
  • Sean O'Keefe
  • [email protected]
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    Matthew Paul#2 Contractors Contributor
    • Severna Park, MD
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    Matthew Paul#2 Contractors Contributor
    • Severna Park, MD
    Replied
    Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:

    You're right, it is the law. And it is so stupid to not advertise every way and time possible, right? It's so easy to have some magnetic signs hanging around to throw on your other vehicle if you want to go do a bid and not take your big ole truck.

    I have no answer as to why they don't take advantage of this.....it's just dumb (maybe there's your answer :-)


     I have the company name on 3 out of 4 work trucks . But not the one I drive .  Why ?  Because I park it at home and we cant have a business vehicle parked at home . And when I go camping pulling the trailer I would still be a commercial vehicle . I wont do the magnetic signs , because I have a newer Ford F 250 and its an aluminum body and magnets dont work .