A general contractor holds the contract for a construction project and is responsible for delivering it: pricing the work, pulling permits, hiring and scheduling the trades, buying materials, managing inspections and quality, and handing over a finished job. In California that requires a Class B license from the Contractors State License Board on any project involving two or more unrelated trades.
General versus specialty
A plumber, electrician or roofer holds a specialty license and does one trade. A general contractor coordinates all of them. California requires a license for any job over $500 in combined labor and materials, and a Class B specifically for work that spans multiple trades.
What you should expect from one
A written contract with the scope, the price, the schedule and the payment terms. Permits pulled under their license, not yours. Proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation. Lien releases handed over with each payment. And one person who answers the phone.
Los Angeles County figures, reviewed 2026-10-29 by America General Contractors, California contractor licence CSLB 1083262. Planning ranges, not a quote, and not legal advice. We confirm the current rules for your parcel before anything gets drawn.
Related questions
- How do I check a contractor's license in California?
- What is a change order?
- What is a cost-plus contract versus a fixed-price contract?
