February 14, 2014 by The California Contractors License Guru LET?S TAKE A MINUTE TO DISCUSS CSLB APPLICATION DENIALS AND THE APPEALS PROCESS.

it's a boring subject I know, but it's good information to have if you find yourself stuck in the AIU vortex.

If your application is denied by the Application Investigation Unit, Section 485 kicks in.

Upon denial of an application for a license under this chapter or Section 496, the board shall do either of the following:

• (a) File and serve a statement of issues in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
• (b) Notify the applicant that the application is denied, stating (1) the reason for the denial, and (2) that the applicant has the right to a hearing under Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code if written request for hearing is made within 60 days after service of the notice of denial. Unless written request for hearing is made within the 60-day period, the applicant?s right to a hearing is deemed waived. Service of the notice of denial may be made in the manner authorized for service of summons in civil actions, or by registered mail addressed to the applicant at the latest address filed by the applicant in writing with the board in his or her application or otherwise. Service by mail is complete on the date of mailing.

The key here is that 60 day deadline to file your appeal request. I would suggest filing your appeal as soon as possible to get the appeal process started.

From here Section 487 applies and it outlines the Hearing process.

If a hearing is requested by the applicant, the board shall conduct such hearing within 90 days from the date the hearing is requested unless the applicant shall request or agree in writing to a postponement or continuance of the hearing. Notwit'standing the above, the Office of Administrative Hearings may order, or on a showing of good cause, grant a request for, up to 45 additional days within which to conduct a hearing, except in cases involving alleged examination or licensing fraud, in which cases the period may be up to 180 days. In no case shall more than two such orders be made or requests be granted.

The important part in this section is that the hearing shall be conducted within 90 days of the hearing being requested. Unless you, the applicant, request or agree to a continuance. I wouldn?t agree to a continuance because I wouldn?t want to give the board the ability to delay the process any further. If the OAH grants a request for extension, you're stuck with it. The CSLB likes to say that the process can take 4-6 months, but I think this is a scare tactic. Section 487 suggests that a hearing could take place in as little as 3 months.

After a hearing request is submitted, Section 488 comes in to play.

Except as otherwise provided by law, following a hearing requested by an applicant pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 485, the board may take any of the following actions:

• (a) Grant the license effective upon completion of all licensing requirements by the applicant.
• (b) Grant the license effective upon completion of all licensing requirements by the applicant, immediately revoke the license, stay the revocation, and impose probationary conditions on the license, which may include suspension.
• (c) Deny the license.
• (d) Take other action in relation to denying or granting the license as the board in its discretion may deem proper.

This one is interesting because of item (c). This suggests that the CSLB could deny the license? again. What's curious is that it was a denial that led you down the appeal/hearing path in the first place.

So there you have it, some interesting facts about CSLB application denials and the appeals process.

My brother Mark and I recently taped a TV show for PBS in the Bay Area, CA on decks.

We discuss that there's a lot more to a deck than most people think. We also touch on foundations and drainage issues.

If you're into this sort of thing, Mark and I have three more construction-related shows posted on my blog.

My business mentor shared a great story with me long ago?

?If you walk out of a house? and they say you did a great job, and gave a great presentation, and They areally like your company? you're in marketing.

If you walk out of that same house with a signed contract? you're in sales.?

it's a great story? and partially hits on the point I want to make.

The business we are really in.

There Are Three Core Parts To All Of Our Business?s In This Industry:

- Marketing
- Sales
- Production

They are monsters that will constantly fight with each other, but rely on each other in order for the business to work properly.

? and you need all three in your business working:

- If you have great marketing and great sales? but lack in production ? the business does not work.
- If you have great sales and great production? but lack in marketing ? the business does not work.
- If you have great marketing and great production? but lack in sales ? the business does not work.

In the end, however, it all starts with marketing. Without leadflow? it doesn?t matter how great of a closer you are, or how great the work is that you deliver.

This is a common reason that most service-based business?s fail. A great book to read on this topic is the eMyth. This book explains how most people fail in business, because they are a technician in their industry.

In other words? let?s say I?m a great carpenter. I know all there is to know about carpentry, and deliver fantastic end results. I love doing the work ? it's my passion. So? I start my own carpentry business.

Now, instead of doing carpentry work, I?m doing all of the business work. Marketing sales, payroll, taxes, billing, collections, etc. Ya know? all of the things EXCEPT what I?m good at.

Thus, failure is inevitable.

So a great tip to realize? as soon as you possibly can accept it? is what business you're truly in. Where your business truly starts with. That business? is marketing.

Focus your efforts there. Once your marketing kicks in, your focus will then shift to your sales process. Once sales kicks in, you'll shift your focus to production. Then, you'll start the process all over again.

Realize during each growth phase you will have waste, disorganization, stress, pain, etc.

But, you'll fight through that and get things back in order. Your business will grow, as will your profits, and you're fulfillment from your successful business.

But, it all starts with the marketing.

When it comes to a home bathroom, space is generally at a premium. Although the bathroom is one of the most important (and heavily used) rooms of the house, all too often it is lacking in open floor space and ends up feeling cluttered, small, and uncomfortable. Whether you living in a historic home with traditionally tiny bathrooms or your newer bathroomstill feel like it is too small for your family, one of the top reasons for a bathroom remodel is to make the space feel larger?even when you aren't investing in a down-to-the-studs renovation.

There are countless tips out there for making a small-size bathroom appear to be larger than it actually is. While major bath fixtures and features play a role in keeping your space light, open, and airy, it's really the smallest details that add-up to make a big impact. When you want to get the most out of your tiny bathroom, without blowing your budget, there are specific areas of your room design that you will want to focus on during a bath remodel.

Making Your Color Scheme Work for Your Space

One of the first things that you notice about any bathroom is the color. it's no surprise that the darker the color scheme, the smaller the space will look, and rich, saturated hues should be reserved for expansive bathrooms that have no issue with limited space.

To get the most out of your small home bathroom, stick to traditional, light colors that naturally reflect the light in the room. The most popular color and design choices for giving an illusion of openness to a small space include:

• White-on-White: With the design trends for modern homes leaning towards bright pops of color, considering a white-on-white aesthetic may not be at the top of your list. However, this color scheme is the ideal choice for maximizing the visual space of a small bathroom, and it creates a sleek, seamless appearance that makes it a smart choice for high value and impact.
• Textural Elements: Just because you are using a white or light-colored aesthetic in the bathroom doesn't mean that it has to lack style! Elements such as natural stone, tile, molding, and unique hardware can give your bathroom a customized appearance and visual interest that takes the look from basic to luxurious.
• Tone-on-Tone: Still not convinced about using white-on-white in your bathroom? Switching it up to a tone-on-tone design can have a similar effect without the stark look that comes with all-white color schemes. Whether you use soft grays, subtle blues, or inviting beige tones, focusing on one hue in the bathroom will create the inviting, serene look that you are going for while still reflecting ample light.

Think Outside the Box With Traditional Bathroom Fixtures

A solid tub-shower combo, cabinet-style vanity, and a closet for storage are all standard designs of a basic bathroom, but those traditional options won't do much to help you make your space look larger. When dealing with a small bathroom, it's time to break the mold when it comes to ?standard? fixtures for the space, and there are several options available on today's market when you need to think outside of the box:

• Vanities: Instead of the clunky, heavy look of a classic vanity, consider opening up the room with a floating-style feature! By still offering storage in the form of drawers or shelves, these vanities are secured further up the wall to expose the space underneath?giving your room the appearance of greater depth.
• Mirrors: Just like magicians use mirrors to accomplish their illusions, a stunning mirror feature in your small bathroom can instantly create the illusion of an open and expansive space. There are many different ways to accomplish this, from oversized, framed mirrors above the vanity to a full mirrored wall, and the best choice for you depends on your personal aesthetic.
• Bath Features: Bathtubs may be a luxurious bathroom fixture, but they also take up a large amount of floor space?which isn't ideal for a small bathroom. Instead, consider swapping your tub for a sleek, barrier-free shower that has continuous flooring with the rest of the room, and go for a glass panel door instead of a shower curtain to avoid breaking up the flow of the space.
• Storage: Storage is an issue in many bathrooms, even those that don't have an undersized layout. However, it is still an essential component for a functional space, and you can get extra storage in your small bath by adding open shelving, wall hooks, and inset cabinetry that allows you to cut down on visual clutter.
• Lighting: Every bathroomshould be designed around the need for bright, adequate lighting, and using multiple light sources can create dimension and light up every corner of the room. Consider incorporating a combination of ceiling lights, wall sconces, and edge-lighted mirrors to eliminate shadows and give your space a fresh, appealing atmosphere.

Consider the Overall Bathroom Layout and Design

Fixtures and color scheme are two of the top factors that you need to take into account when designing a plan to maximize the space within your bathroom, but you also need to consider how the smallest details will affect the overall design of the room. With bathrooms that are on the smaller side, choose a design that allows for:

• Negative Space: If storage isn't your top concern in your bathroom, it is worth compromising on larger storage options and focusing on creating negative space within the room. Small-scale vanities and a less-is-more approach can make the room look larger than it actually is by removing the cluttered look that would come with a standard-sized fixture.
• Long Lines: Emphasizing the look of the longest wall in the bathroom is a great way to make the entire space appear larger, and adding a shelf, chair rail, or even a simple painted stripe can highlight the length of the room. don't have a long wall? Try going vertical with your design by incorporating a tall, thin mirror, getting creative with vertical lighting, or installing a tile accent to draw the eye from the floor to the celling.
• Low-Profile Accents: Too many focal points in a bathroom can make the entire area feel closed-in and uninviting, so when you want to add some stylish accents, keep them low-profile. By adding a pop of color or personality closer to the floor, you still get the unique space that you envision?without cluttering-up what's in your sightline.

Every household in the country has a bathroom, and every homeowner wants their bath to add value, comfort, and style to their home. While you might dream of a penthouse-sized bathroom with larger-than-life fixtures, that often isn't the reality?but you don't have to sacrifice on beauty and functionality just because your bathroom is small! With a few simple upgrades and some illusion-creating accents, you can turn your outdated, tiny bath into one of your favorite rooms of the house.