how important are C10 Electrical C46 Solar licenses for California installer?

[baconandeggs]

Hello, I'm new here.

I'm going through the bidding process in the San Francisco bay area.

How important are C10 Electrical & C46 Solar license for California installer?

Of the responses so far ,
I could not find any license (C10, C46, B - general contractor) for the highest cost installer ($4+ / W). He is the co-owner and perhaps the head sales guy but not sure if he should still be licensed? FWIW, he has qty: high 50s stellar yelp reviews at this time.

The medium cost installer (~$3.95/W) has all the credentials. C10, C46 and NABCEP ! Low teens good yelp reviews.

The lowest cost installer (maybe $3.65/ W..no firm quote yet) has CA "B - GENERAL BUILDING CONTRACTOR" license only. He explained he is much less expensive due to low overhead model (word of mouth + yelp, no office staff, no fancy truck with company logo, etc. ). Two good yelp reviews but claims he has done over 100 installs.

I am a little nervous going with the installer with only a B general contractors license. Would I be exposed going with a non C10 and / or C46 installer?

[inetdog]

I do not think that you would be exposed to any particular liability for going with a contractor who has less than the state required licensing, but it might not be a good idea in terms of your ability to be reimbursed by the contractor's bond if things go south during the install.

I believe that in CA any contractor who does electrical work (over $500?) has to either have a C10 or have a general license and subcontract the work to someone who does have a C10.
The C46 may be necessary to be able to collect state rebates or tax credits on the installation.

[Sunking]

Bottom line is whoever does the work has to pull a permit, and pass inspection. That person will have to have the license required to pull the permit and pass inspection. In the SF Bay area is ran and controlled by unions, and they will not allow non union workers to do any work. They own the cities code enforcement office, and that office is not going to allow any non approved companies a permit to operate.

[foo1bar]

Bottom line is whoever does the work has to pull a permit, and pass inspection. That person will have to have the license required to pull the permit and pass inspection.

Absolutely true.

In the SF Bay area is ran and controlled by unions, and they will not allow non union workers to do any work. They own the cities code enforcement office, and that office is not going to allow any non approved companies a permit to operate.

Absolute BS.
At least in my area, the AHJ will issue a permit to anyone who is qualified - union or not. (they don't have a choice about it)
And there are non-union electricians in my area who are doing plenty of work. (there's probably more union electricians - but I think that's because the big companies tend to be union shops)

[MGE]

I was a Union C-10 contractor here in SD from 96' - 2012 and pulled many permits. Non union guys can pull permits also a C-10 license has nothing to do wheather your a Union shop or not. You can even pull a permit as an an Owner/Builder you just need a qualified installer.

[baconandeggs]

This is all very confusing.

Here is what I found from PG&E

http://www.pge.com/en/myhome/saveenergymoney/solar/contractor.page

"Your contractor must have an active A, B, C-10 or C-46 license (C-4 or C-36 for solar water heating installations). Check the Contractors' State License Board (CSLB) website or call 1-800-321-2752. When you meet the contractor for the first time, ask to see his or her CSLB “pocket license” and a photo ID to confirm you are meeting with an authorized contractor."


I also did a google on "what license do you need to install solar in CA" and some of the installer's webpages have the following language,

1) "As a C-10 electrical contractor, XXXXX is licensed to perform 100% of the necessary electrical terminations to install a complete grid tied solar electric system. Some solar installation companies only have a C-46 solar contractor license and do not have the license to hook-up the installation to your electrical box. They must subcontract part of the job to a licensed electrician, costing you extra time and money"

2) "Most consumers are aware that contractors are regulated by the California State License Board (CSLB), but many don’t know a contractor may do only the type of work permitted by their license’s class. A business certified by CSLB for painting, for example, cannot do carpentry. Each class of license has an alphabetic designation and may have a number following it, and the license may have more than one class listed.

The Solar Company has the license classification (C-46) designated by the state license board for installation, alteration, maintenance, and repair of photovoltaic (solar electric) systems.

Although licensed electricians (C-10) may install solar systems, the unique components and special building code requirements are probably beyond the average electrician’s expertise. To obtain a C-46 license, contractors must have at least four years of experience working in the solar field and then pass a rigorous examination showing they have extensive knowledge of all aspects of photovoltaic systems."



So if I am interested in the installer with B license only, I need to make sure he/she either has someone on staff with C-10 & C-46 or is subcontracting out to someone with C-10 & C-46? Obviously, not only is safety my top concern but I also want to make sure I get my rebate.

[sensij]

This is all very confusing.

Here is what I found from PG&E

http://www.pge.com/en/myhome/saveenergymoney/solar/contractor.page

"Your contractor must have an active A, B, C-10 or C-46 license (C-4 or C-36 for solar water heating installations). Check the Contractors' State License Board (CSLB) website or call 1-800-321-2752. When you meet the contractor for the first time, ask to see his or her CSLB “pocket license” and a photo ID to confirm you are meeting with an authorized contractor."

So if I am interested in the installer with B license only, I need to make sure he/she either has someone on staff with C-10 & C-46 or is subcontracting out to someone with C-10 & C-46? Obviously, not only is safety my top concern but I also want to make sure I get my rebate.

As your quote above indicates, a B license is sufficient to install PV systems. I would spend more time talking to the installer about what they plan to do, less time worrying about what pieces of paper they have. Even better, put the installation on hold while you learn more about the work that needs to be done, then find an installer who will do it that way.

The contractor license has no impact on whether or not you get your federal tax credit.

[foo1bar]

Obviously, not only is safety my top concern but I also want to make sure I get my rebate.

What rebate?
AFAIK PG&E doesn't have any rebates anymore.
If you're planning on a rebate, make sure you find out the details now.

If you meant to say credit - as in federal solar tax credit - the feds don't care about state contractor licenses.

[baconandeggs]

What rebate?
AFAIK PG&E doesn't have any rebates anymore.
If you're planning on a rebate, make sure you find out the details now.

If you meant to say credit - as in federal solar tax credit - the feds don't care about state contractor licenses.

Yes, you are correct. I meant to say federal credit.

[KennethR]

california contractors license

You Need 4 years of experience within the last 10 years to qualify for any license. You will need a person that KNOWS of your experience to sign off on the State Application Form. If you're not sure, call in and we will go over your experience.

[JRqwertyui]

I was just told via email by the vendor who I've painstakingly chosen after months of equipment, vendor bids, reference checking, etc... and multiple posting on these boards that:
"C10 is not required for solar. Their B licence is on their CSLB number listed on both the quotes and contracts."

I'm now worried that they might not actually be "qualified" to do electrical connections to the MSP. thoughts ? I understand that inspections are required, but am I placing myself and home at risk for this roof top installation in Northern CA.

[sensij]

B license is sufficient to legally qualify them to do the installation. Whether or not they do a good job is much more predictable from the research you've done than the piece of paper they hold.