Before anything else, we should understand what a demolition contractor is. A Demolition contractor is responsible for the process of removing buildings, structures from their sites, and is responsible for the removal of buildings, structures and homes from their sites and have completed jobs with several different companies. A demolition contractor is also the one who is responsible for removing all debris and building materials from the site after a demolition project has been completed.

Demolition contractors have many different types of jobs to perform, but some of them include: demolition of concrete structures, demolition of asphalt surfaces, demolition of wood, demolition of old railroad ties, demolition of underground piping and drainage systems and demolition of concrete and structural constructions. These jobs can be performed by individuals, companies or agencies.

However, have you ever thought about what you need to become a certified demolition contractor? In this article you will find 7 tips to do succeed in becoming a demolition contractor.

1. Get a Demolition License:

To get a C-21 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 be on probation or parole

You must also have:

• 4 Years Journey Level Experience
• A Qualifying Individual to sign off on your experience
• A way to prove your experience if the state asks for documentation

• Know the C-21 License:

The C-21 License is the classification required in the state of California for all persons looking to bid on the moving or demolition of any residential, commercial, or industrial dwelling where the cost of labor and materials exceeds $500.

“A building moving/demolition contractor raises, lowers, cribs, underpins, demolishes and moves or removes structures, including their foundations. This classification does not include the alterations, additions, repairs or rehabilitation of the permanently retained portions of such structures” –CSLB.GOV

C-21 Building, Moving, and Demolition Contractors specialize in safely raising, lowering, moving, or removing a structure including its foundation.

• Demolition Contractors play a critical role in the safety of a construction site as well as the surrounding area where demolition is taking place.
• It is in the best interest of anyone looking to demolish or move home to have this done by a professional as the legal and financial liability can be enormous if executed incorrectly.
• In the state of California, safety and environmental protection are strictly regulated. There is a massive opportunity for any demolition professional that holds the C-21 license and bonding. 
• What is the 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 and ensure that anyone charging over $500 for construction services is qualified and registered with the state of California.

The C-21 License is issued to demolition contractors by the CSLB.

The CSLB administers applications, exams, and maintains a database of all active and inactive contractor license numbers, which are public domain. Click the link, to learn more about the CSLB.

• Apply for the CSLB exam

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 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:

1. Time of year (processing time slows down during the holidays) 
2. Criminal History 
3. Proving Experience
4. Mistakes on your application

• Prepare for The Demolition Contractor License Exam

The multiple-choice exam consists in 230 questions in two separate blocks; you have 3 hours to complete each portion where you will find topics such as:

1. Planning and estimation
2. Project preparation
3. Building moving
4. Building demolition
5. Safety

• Find the CSLB Test Locations

You can assist to any CSLB Location, such as Berkley, Fresno, Norwalk, San Jose, Oxnard, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego. Get a look at the location that best suits for you.

• You need to do a Demolition Apprenticeship

If you don’t have the four years required journeyman level experience to obtain the C-21 Demolition contractor license, not to worry.

Your journey begins here!

Construction is a trillion-dollar industry and highly skilled electricians are always in demand. Whether you are completely new or have some experience already, there are resources available to you. 

Generally, someone looking to become a demolition contractor would want to look into an apprenticeship or certification program.

We are ECG, we are safety first.

This field definitely needs some expert hands and skill. So, have you decided on what type of project you need? Make sure you research on this for a while before coming up with a decision.

We pride ourselves in providing Demolition, Abatement and Environmental Services you can depend on. (Concrete cutting, coring, green demolition, disinfection and sterilization cleaning services, asbestos abatement and more)

Contact us to get started on your next project, Call us: 562-438-7999.