Hiring Commercial Property Services Providers in California

Commercial real estate services in California require vetting vendors against some of the nation’s strictest licensing and compliance rules. For construction scopes, insist on an active CSLB credential that matches the trade—Class B for general contracting, C-10 for electrical, C-20 for HVAC, C-36 for plumbing, C-39 for roofing, C-27 for landscape construction, and C-33 for repainting—and verify status on the Contractors State License Board site before award. Guard against liability by demanding at least $2 million general liability, statutory workers’ compensation, and professional E&O for architects, engineers, or ESG consultants. Soft-service vendors such as janitorial, day-porter, waste hauling, or security must still show a California business license; security patrols also need a Private Patrol Operator license and guard cards from the Bureau of Security & Investigative Services, while landscapers who spray herbicides need a DPR QAC. Ask for ISSA CIMS or GBAC STAR certification for cleaning, NALP membership for landscape, and verify Cal/OSHA HAZCOM training. Ensure the firm can pull permits with the relevant city Building & Safety Department and navigate CALGreen, Title 24, and South Coast AQMD VOC limits. Finally, favor teams with local references on assets like high-rise office, grocery-anchored retail, logistics warehouses, or garden-style multifamily.