California general contractors
Subcontractor compliance software for California general contractors
Collect COIs, W-9s, and Workers' Comp documents from every sub on every project, automatically. Built for GCs working in California.
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California requires general contractors to hold a state-issued license through the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). Verifying subcontractor licensing, insurance, and tax paperwork is part of every project kickoff. California's contractor licensing regime is one of the most enforced in the country. CSLB actively audits GCs who hire unlicensed subs, making subcontractor verification non-negotiable. PaperBoss is subcontractor compliance software that automates the collection of COIs, W-9s, and Workers' Comp exemptions from every sub working on your projects in California. No spreadsheets, no account signups for subs, no chasing.
Automated COI collection for California subs
Send every sub a secure upload link. They upload their Certificate of Insurance in under a minute with no account, and PaperBoss captures the effective and expiration dates automatically.
W-9 collection at onboarding
Stop scrambling at 1099 season. Collect a signed W-9 from every California subcontractor during onboarding and export a clean CSV for 1099-NEC filing in January.
Workers' Comp & exemption tracking
Track Workers' Comp certificates and exemption documents from every sub. Get alerts before coverage lapses so you're never exposed mid-project.
Audit-ready reporting
Export a full compliance report for any project, any sub, any date range. Hand it to your insurance auditor, your CPA, or a California state inspector in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
Do general contractors need a license in California?
Yes. California requires general contractors to hold a state-issued license, administered by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). GCs are also responsible for verifying that subcontractors hold the correct licensure for their trade. PaperBoss lets you store and track license documents alongside COIs and W-9s.
How do I verify subcontractor insurance in California?
The standard approach: request a Certificate of Insurance (COI) from each sub before work begins, confirm the coverage limits meet your contract requirements, confirm you're listed as Additional Insured, and track the expiration date. PaperBoss automates all four steps for California GCs.
How do I collect W-9s from subs in California?
The IRS requires you to collect a Form W-9 from any US contractor you pay $600 or more in a tax year so you can issue a 1099-NEC. PaperBoss sends each sub a secure upload link for their W-9 during onboarding, stores it encrypted, and exports clean data for 1099 season.
Does PaperBoss work for general contractors in California?
Yes. PaperBoss is built for US general contractors in all 50 states, including California. Document types, compliance workflows, and tax requirements (1099-NEC, W-9) are all US-specific.
How much does PaperBoss cost?
PaperBoss starts at $29/month for Starter, $79/month for Pro, and $149/month for Business. Every plan includes a 14-day free trial with no credit card required.
Built for California general contractors.
Every day without tracking is a day you’re exposed. One uninsured sub can cost you the whole job.
14 days free · No credit card