If you are a subcontractor who works in the construction field, you may be considering obtaining a general contractor license. In the state of Utah, you must meet certain criteria in order to qualify for a license. If you want to take this next step, make sure that you take control of your future and do what it takes to meet this goal.

One of the requirements is that you have experience in the field. While the amount of experience varies depending on your intended specialty, you need at least five years’ working experience to qualify. This working experience is called verified 1099 experience, and is required by the State. If you have worked off the books, or perhaps had another position but assisted with some construction, such as a dockworker that assisted with remodeling at a business, this doesn’t meet the criteria.

You also need a minimum of two years of management experience. This will help you learn how to oversee a crew, create a cost estimate, make sure a project is hitting milestones as expected, and other business aspects of construction and general contracting. It will also help you gain the experience you need to learn how to handle the intricacies of the many elements that are often included in a project.

As a subcontractor, you need to understand the commitment to your future that will be required in order to obtain a Utah General Contractor’s License. If this is a job you want to turn into a career, take the time to determine where you are on the path to success, and what you need to do in order to fulfill the necessary requirements.

If you don’t have the required 1099 experience, make sure you start working toward that goal by finding general contractors who need extra subcontractors for a project. If you lack the management experience, set a goal to find a way to manage a project.

Make sure you exhibit the qualities a general contractor would look for in a manager. Arrive at the project early, work with little supervision, be willing to help others to make sure the project is complete on time, and show that you are more concerned about the project then your own personal gain.

As you work towards your goal of meeting the field qualifications of obtaining a Utah general contractor license, keep in mind that you will also have to take two different exams. One exam covers the business aspects, while the other covers the general skills requirements. UTCLC can help you prepare for both exams, and will help you with other important facets of starting your own general contractor’s business. Go our FAQ page to find out how we can help you meet the goal of switching from subcontractor to general contractor.