Guides for California contractors
Plain-English guides on the parts of running a contracting business that nobody teaches you: getting paid, winning public work, and getting found online. No fluff, no gated downloads. The deeper version of all of it is in the book.
California Mechanic's Lien Guide
The 20-day preliminary notice, how to file a lien, the deadlines, the 90-day foreclosure clock, stop notices on public works, and small claims. What to send, when, and what to do when the check still does not come.
Read the guide →
Winning public workHow to Bid Government Contracts
Where California public bids are posted, how to register and stay compliant, reading a solicitation, prevailing wage and DIR, bonds, and how to use public bid tabs to price to win.
Read the guide →
The main portalPlanetBids Guide
Register as a vendor, set commodity codes so you get the right notifications, find and submit bids, and pull the bid tabulation after the opening to see who won and at what price.
Read the guide →
Getting foundGoogle Business Profile for Contractors
Create and verify a service-area profile, pick the right categories, get reviews, post updates, and rank in the local map pack when customers search for your trade.
Read the guide →
Everything, in one field manual.
These guides are the highlights. From Zero to Booked is the whole thing: forming the business, pricing with a floor, getting your first ten customers, the public-contract play, and a full section on getting paid with working legal templates.