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HomeBusiness and Professions CodeDiv. 3Ch. 9Art. 4§ 7057 General Building Contractor Scope

§ 7057 General Building Contractor Scope

Business and Professions Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 7057 General Building Contractor Scope

Key Takeaways

  • •A general building contractor works on buildings like houses or stores, using at least two different types of construction work (like plumbing and electrical).
  • •They can't just supply materials—they have to actually build or manage the building work.
  • •If a project needs special work (like fire safety systems or well drilling), the contractor must have the right license or hire someone who does.
  • •For projects that aren’t just framing or carpentry, the contractor must either have the right license or make sure the project uses at least two other types of construction work.

Example

A contractor is hired to build a new house.

The contractor must handle at least two different types of work, like plumbing and electrical, or hire licensed workers for those jobs. If the house needs a fire sprinkler system, the contractor must either have a special license for that or hire someone who does.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 7057 General Building Contractor Scope

(a) Except as provided in this section, a general building contractor is a contractor whose principal contracting business is in connection with any structure built, being built, or to be built, for the support, shelter, and enclosure of persons, animals, chattels, or movable property of any kind, requiring in its construction the use of at least two unrelated building trades or crafts, or to do or superintend the whole or any part thereof. This does not include anyone who merely furnishes materials or supplies under Section 7045 without fabricating them into, or consuming them in the performance of, the work of the general building contractor. (b) A general building contractor may take a prime contract or a subcontract for a framing or carpentry project. However, a general building contractor shall not take a prime contract for any project involving trades other than framing or carpentry unless the prime contract requires at least two unrelated building trades or crafts other than framing or carpentry, or unless the general building contractor holds the appropriate license classification or subcontracts with an appropriately licensed contractor to perform the work. A general building contractor shall not take a subcontract involving trades other than framing or carpentry, unless the subcontract requires at least two unrelated trades or crafts other than framing or carpentry, or unless the general building contractor holds the appropriate license classification. The general building contractor shall not count framing or carpentry in calculating the two unrelated trades necessary in order for the general building contractor to be able to take a prime contract or subcontract for a project involving other trades. (c) A general building contractor shall not contract for any project that includes a fire protection system as provided for in Section 7026.12 or 7026.13, or the “C-57” Well Drilling classification as provided for in Section 13750.5 of the Water Code, unless the general building contractor holds the appropriate license classification, or subcontracts with the appropriately licensed contractor. (Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 377, Sec. 3. (AB 433) Effective January 1, 2014.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

performancecontractpropertyfireportlicenseclassificationconstruction

Related Statutes

  • § 7059 Contractor Classification Rules
  • § 7027.5 Landscape Contractor Prime Contracts
  • § 21628 Secondhand Dealer Reporting Requirements
  • § 21641 Secondhand Dealer Licensing Requirements
  • § 7026.12 Fire Protection System Installation

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Business and Professions Code. Section 7057.
View Official Source