Win more work.
Stay on the right side of the law.
A field guide for California contractors — practical tactics to convert more leads on Jobset, paired with a plain-English rundown of CSLB rules, contracts, and lien laws.
Part one
How to get leads on Jobset
Homeowners on Jobset typically contact 3 pros before hiring one. The pros who win aren't the cheapest — they're the fastest, clearest, and most credible. Here's how to be that pro.
Respond within 15 minutes
Leads who get a reply within 15 minutes are 4× more likely to hire. Turn on push notifications and reply from your phone — even a short 'Got it, I'll send a quote tonight' wins the relationship.
Show 12+ recent project photos
Profiles with a dozen or more high-quality photos get 3× more job invites. Shoot before/after pairs on every job. No staging needed — real work beats stock photography.
Ask for a review on every completed job
A simple text the day after final walkthrough — 'Mind leaving a quick Jobset review?' — drives 70%+ response rates. Aim for 10 reviews to unlock the verified pro tier.
Write tailored quotes — never copy-paste
Reference the homeowner by name, the specific scope, and the timeline they mentioned. A 4-line personal quote beats a polished generic one every time.
Get verified — license + insurance + ID
The verified badge lifts response rates by ~35%. Upload your CSLB license, general liability certificate, and a government ID once and you're set.
Quote a range, then anchor with value
'$8,500–$11,000 depending on subfloor condition — includes haul-away and a 2-year workmanship warranty.' Ranges feel honest. Inclusions justify the price.
The 7-touch conversion sequence
What the top 10% of Jobset pros do on every new lead.
- 1
Reply within 15 minutes
Even just 'Thanks, I'll have questions for you in an hour.' Speed signals respect.
- 2
Ask 3 scoping questions
Photos of the site, preferred start window, and any prior bids. Builds trust and sharpens your quote.
- 3
Send a written quote within 24 hours
PDF or in-thread. Include scope, materials grade, timeline, payment schedule, and exclusions.
- 4
Schedule a 15-minute walkthrough
Video call or in-person. The pro who shows up first usually wins.
- 5
Follow up after 48 hours of silence
'Just checking in — any questions on the quote? Happy to adjust scope.' Polite, never pushy.
- 6
Confirm the contract in writing
California requires a signed home-improvement contract (see below). Protects both of you.
- 7
Request a review on completion day
While the project is still fresh — send a direct link to your Jobset profile.
Part two
California contractor regulations
A plain-English summary of the rules the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) enforces. This is a starting point, not legal advice — consult your attorney or the CSLB directly for specifics.
Licensing — the $500 rule
Any job where labor and materials total $500 or more requires a CSLB license. Working unlicensed above that threshold is a misdemeanor (B&P §7028) — first offense up to 6 months jail and/or $5,000 fine. There's no 'helper' exemption — every worker on site must either be your W-2 employee or carry their own license.
Down payment cap — 10% or $1,000
On home-improvement contracts, your down payment cannot exceed 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is LESS (B&P §7159). Progress payments must be tied to specific milestones — never collect more than the value of work completed plus materials delivered.
Written contracts are mandatory
Any home-improvement contract over $500 must be in writing and include: license number, scope of work, total price, payment schedule, start/completion dates, a 3-day right to cancel notice, mechanic's lien warning, and your contact info. Verbal-only deals are unenforceable and a CSLB violation.
Bond and insurance requirements
Every active CSLB license requires a $25,000 contractor bond. If you have W-2 employees, workers' comp insurance is mandatory — no exceptions, even for one part-time worker. General liability isn't legally required but is required by most GCs, homeowners, and Jobset's verified tier (recommend $1M minimum).
Mechanic's lien rights — and the 20-day notice
To preserve lien rights, send a Preliminary 20-Day Notice to the owner, GC, and construction lender within 20 days of first furnishing labor or materials (Civil Code §8200). Miss the deadline and you lose lien rights for work done before the notice. File the lien within 90 days of project completion, foreclose within 90 days of recording.
Permits and inspections
Pulling permits is the contractor's responsibility unless the contract explicitly assigns it to the owner. Skipping required permits can void homeowner insurance, trigger stop-work orders, and lead to CSLB discipline. When in doubt, call the local building department before you start.
Advertising rules
Every ad, vehicle sign, business card, and Jobset profile must display your CSLB license number (B&P §7030.5). Saying 'licensed' without the number is a violation. Unlicensed pros can only advertise jobs under $500 and must clearly state 'not a licensed contractor.'
Workmanship standards & warranty
California holds contractors to a 4-year statute of limitations on patent (visible) defects and 10 years on latent (hidden) defects from the date of substantial completion (CCP §337.1 & §337.15). Document the project with photos and a signed final walkthrough to protect yourself.
Official resources
Bookmark these. The CSLB is your source of truth — when our summary and their rule disagree, they win.
Disclaimer: This page is educational and may be out of date. Jobset is not a law firm. Verify current rules with the CSLB and consult a licensed California attorney for advice on your specific situation.
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