Just went through the whole process of getting certified as a contractor in OC, and man, it was a bit of a maze. Basically, I started by checking out the county's official site for requirements, then took the prep course online (pretty helpful actually), scheduled and passed the exam, and finally submitted all the paperwork. Took longer than expected, honestly. Anyone got shortcuts or tips to make this smoother?
"Took longer than expected, honestly."
Yeah, tell me about it... I haven't gone through contractor certification myself, but I had a similar headache when we remodeled our kitchen last year. Our guy was great but kept us updated on every little hiccup he ran into with the county. From what I gathered, paperwork delays are pretty much standard procedure around here.
One thing he did mention was that going in person sometimes sped things up—he'd swing by the county office early in the morning (I think he said Tuesdays were best?) and talk directly to someone rather than relying on emails or online submissions. Apparently, face-to-face made a difference. Might be worth trying next time if you're looking to shave off some waiting time. But yeah, sounds like patience is still your best tool... Good luck!
Yeah, dealing with county offices can be a real drag... honestly, it's impressive you stuck it out. When I was pushing for green roof certifications, the paperwork alone nearly drove me nuts. But you're right about showing up in person—sometimes just being there and politely insisting can make all the difference. Hang in there, sounds like you're almost through the worst of it.
