Crescenta Valley Insurance
Specializing in Hard-to-Place Contractor Insurance Risks
National General Contractor Statistics
Total Construction Establishments
919,000+
Industry Employment
8.0 Million
Annual Construction Value
$2.1 Trillion
Licensed General Contractors
66,218
Projected Job Growth (2018-2028)
8%
Average Contractor Age
46 Years
Artisan Contractor Classifications & Specialties
Artisan contractors are specialized professionals who focus on specific trades requiring particular skills, training, and expertise. These contractors typically work as subcontractors on larger projects or handle specialized residential and commercial work.
Building Trades
- Framing Contractors (C-5): Structural framing, rough carpentry, formwork
- Finish Carpentry (C-6): Trim work, cabinetry, millwork installation
- Concrete Contractors (C-8): Foundation work, flatwork, decorative concrete
- Drywall Contractors (C-9): Drywall installation, taping, texturing
Mechanical Systems
- Electrical Contractors (C-10): Wiring, panel installation, lighting systems
- Plumbing Contractors (C-36): Pipe installation, fixture work, water systems
- HVAC Contractors (C-20): Heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems
- Refrigeration (C-38): Commercial refrigeration systems
Exterior Specialties
- Roofing Contractors (C-39): All roofing systems and repairs
- Siding Contractors (C-31): Exterior wall systems, siding installation
- Masonry Contractors (C-29): Brick, stone, block work
- Painting Contractors (C-33): Interior and exterior painting
Site Work & Infrastructure
- Earthwork/Excavation (C-12): Site preparation, grading, trenching
- Landscaping (C-27): Irrigation, plantings, hardscape
- Paving Contractors (C-32): Asphalt and concrete paving
- Fencing (C-13): Commercial and residential fencing systems
Specialty Services
- Fire Protection (C-16): Sprinkler systems, fire safety equipment
- Insulation (C-2): Thermal and acoustical insulation
- Glazing (C-17): Windows, storefronts, curtain walls
- Flooring (C-15): Carpet, tile, hardwood, specialty flooring
Environmental & Safety
- Asbestos Abatement (C-22): Hazardous material removal
- Waterproofing (C-35): Building envelope protection
- Demolition (C-21): Building and structure demolition
- Well Drilling (C-57): Water well installation and maintenance
Roofing Contractor Insurance Coverage & Bond Requirements
Essential Insurance Coverage for Roofing Contractors
| Coverage Type | Typical Limits | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| General Liability | $1M/$2M Aggregate | Property damage, bodily injury, completed operations |
| Workers’ Compensation | State Required Limits | Employee injury protection |
| Commercial Auto | $1M Combined Single Limit | Vehicle liability and physical damage |
| Inland Marine/Tools | $50K-$500K+ | Equipment and tools coverage |
| Umbrella Liability | $1M-$5M | Excess liability protection |
Surety Bond Requirements by State
California
Bond Amount: $25,000
Insurance Requirement: Yes, general liability required
License Type: C-39 Roofing Contractor
Texas
Bond Amount: $100,000 (varies by municipality)
Insurance Requirement: Varies by local jurisdiction
License Type: Local licensing only
Florida
Bond Amount: $10,000-$25,000
Insurance Requirement: $300K/$100K liability minimum
License Type: State certified or registered
Nevada
Bond Amount: $10,000-$100,000
Insurance Requirement: General liability required
License Type: State contractor license
California CSLB Requirements & License Classifications
California Contractor License Classes
Class A – General Engineering
Fixed works requiring specialized engineering knowledge including highways, roads, bridges, airports, and infrastructure projects.
- Minimum 4 years experience
- $25,000 contractor bond
- Pass trade and law examinations
- Can perform any Class C work
Class B – General Building
Structures designed for human occupancy including residential and commercial buildings requiring at least two unrelated trades.
- Minimum 4 years experience
- $25,000 contractor bond
- Pass trade and law examinations
- Can perform framing/carpentry and related work
Class B-2 – Residential Remodeling
Home improvements on existing residential wood-frame structures involving three or more building trades under one contract.
- Minimum 4 years experience
- $25,000 contractor bond
- Limited to residential projects under $500K
- Three-trade minimum requirement
Class C – Specialty Contractors
43 different specialty classifications covering specific trades and crafts requiring specialized skills and knowledge.
- Minimum 4 years experience in classification
- $25,000 contractor bond
- Pass classification-specific examination
- Limited to scope of licensed classification
Key Differences: Class C vs Class D Classifications
Class C Contractors: These are the main specialty contractor licenses covering 43 different trades. Each C classification represents a distinct specialty requiring specific experience, examination, and licensing.
Class D Classifications: These are sub-classifications under the C-61 “Limited Specialty” category, used primarily for administrative tracking by CSLB. Class D classifications include highly specialized or limited-scope activities that don’t warrant full C-class status, such as specific types of equipment maintenance, specialized cleaning services, or narrow construction activities.
CSLB Basic Requirements
- Age: Must be at least 18 years old
- Experience: 4 years journey-level experience in the classification
- Examination: Pass both trade and law & business examinations
- Financial Responsibility: File $25,000 contractor bond or cash deposit
- Application Fee: $300 initial license fee
- Background Check: No disqualifying criminal convictions
State Contractor Licensing Agencies & Requirements
California
Agency: Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
Requirements: State licensing required for contracts ≥$500
Classifications: 43 different specialties available
Bond Requirement: $25,000 contractor bond
Exam Required: Yes – Trade & Law/Business
Texas
Agency: No state-level general contractor licensing
Requirements: Local city/county licensing varies
Classifications: Electrical, HVAC, plumbing at state level
Bond Requirement: Varies by municipality
Exam Required: Depends on local jurisdiction
Nevada
Agency: Nevada State Contractors Board
Requirements: State licensing required for contracts ≥$1,000
Classifications: Multiple specialty classifications
Bond Requirement: $10,000-$100,000 based on license limit
Exam Required: Yes – Trade & Business/Law
North Dakota
Agency: North Dakota Secretary of State
Requirements: Registration required, not licensing
Classifications: General contractor registration
Bond Requirement: No state bond requirement
Exam Required: No state examination
Oklahoma
Agency: No state-level general contractor licensing
Requirements: Local licensing may apply
Classifications: Electrical, plumbing, mechanical at state level
Bond Requirement: Varies by specialty/local requirements
Exam Required: For state-regulated specialties only
Pennsylvania
Agency: PA Attorney General & Local Authorities
Requirements: Home Improvement Contractor registration for residential work
Classifications: HIC registration for residential projects ≥$5,000
Bond Requirement: $20,000 for HIC registration
Exam Required: No state exam for HIC
New Mexico
Agency: Construction Industries Division (CID)
Requirements: State licensing required for contracts ≥$7,200/year
Classifications: General Building, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing
Bond Requirement: $10,000 contractor bond
Exam Required: Yes – Business/Law course required
Contracting Industry Fun Facts
🏗️ Ancient Origins
Concrete dates back to Ancient Egypt and is still the most used construction material by volume worldwide – over 30 billion tons are produced annually!
🔨 Nail Count
The average 1,200 square-foot house uses approximately 12,000 nails during construction.
🏢 Empire State Building
Contains over 10 million bricks and was built in just 410 days – an incredible feat of construction management!
🎯 The World’s Smallest Skyscraper
Built in 1919 in Wichita Falls, Texas, this was a con job! The blueprints showed 480″ (inches) but investors thought they were getting 480 feet – they got a 40-foot building instead!
👷♀️ Women in Construction
During WWII, women made up 50% of the construction workforce. Today, women represent about 25% of construction workers but earn closer to male wages than in most other industries.
🏗️ Great Pyramid Record
The Great Pyramid of Giza held the record as the world’s tallest building for nearly 4,000 years – from 2500 BC to 1311 AD!
🚁 Drone Revolution
Construction sites have seen the highest increase in drone usage of any industry – growing over 239% in recent years for project monitoring and surveying.
💰 Massive Industry
The global construction industry spent $11.4 trillion in 2018 and is expected to reach $17.5 trillion by 2030!
🔧 Age Demographics
The average construction worker is 46 years old – one year older than the general labor force, highlighting the industry’s aging workforce challenges.
🌍 Global Workforce
More than 180 million people work in construction around the world, making it one of the largest employment sectors globally.
🏗️ Speed Building
A Chinese construction company built a 57-story skyscraper in just 19 days, claiming to be the fastest builders in the world!
⚠️ Safety Focus
Falls are the leading cause of construction fatalities, occurring four times more often than any other type of fatal incident – emphasizing the critical importance of safety training.
Protect Your Hard-to-Place Risk Today
At Crescenta Valley Insurance, we specialize in finding coverage for contractors that others won’t touch.
From high-risk operations to unique exposures, we have the markets and expertise to protect your business.
✓ Competitive rates for hard-to-place risks
✓ Expert knowledge of contractor exposures
✓ Multi-state licensing and bonding assistance
✓ Claims advocacy and loss control support
