Chapter 1 of 615% of exam

Planning and Estimating

CSLB weights Planning and Estimating at about 15% of the B-2 exam: scope of work and code compliance, error identification, plans and specifications, inspections, coordination and cost estimation. Some questions require computation, and a calculator is provided. This page is a short survey; the PrepPass B-2 Residential Remodeling study guide teaches the section with worked examples and a full practice exam at CSLB's weights.

What a B-2 contractor may take

A B-2 contract covers improvements to an existing residential wood-frame structure and must include three or more unrelated trades. Fixtures and finishes are in; structural changes and extending electrical, plumbing or mechanical systems are out unless subcontracted to the right license.

Three trades
A contract must include three or more unrelated trades or crafts.
Bus. & Prof. Code §7057.5(b)(2)
No structural changes
No contracts for structural changes to load-bearing walls, footings, foundations, partitions or roof structures.
Bus. & Prof. Code §7057.5(c)(2)
Fixtures, not systems
Install or replace fixtures; make only minor alterations to systems; sub out system work.
Bus. & Prof. Code §7057.5(c)(3)
Asbestos
100 square feet or more of asbestos-containing material needs a C-22 license or asbestos certification.
Bus. & Prof. Code §7058.5

Permits, plans and inspections

Painting, tiling, cabinets and counter tops are exempt finish work, but cutting walls and moving piping or wiring are permit work. Rough systems are inspected before concealment, and gypsum board before taping.

Exempt finish work
Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets and counter tops need no permit.
2025 CRC R105.2
Cutting a wall
Cutting away a wall or partition is not an ordinary repair.
2025 CRC R105.2.2
Inspection order
Rough systems, frame, gypsum board before taping, then final.
2025 CRC R109.1
No work past an inspection point
Work does not continue past an inspection point without approval.
2025 CRC R109.4

Estimating

Estimates run area, waste, package size (rounded up), labor, equipment and markup. Markup is a percentage of cost; margin is a percentage of price.

Waste and rounding
Multiply area by one plus the waste percentage, divide by package coverage and round up.
CSLB study guide 13E-B2
Markup versus margin
A 25 percent markup is a 20 percent margin.
CSLB study guide 13E-B2
Roof area
Roof area is plan area times the slope factor; a square is 100 square feet.
CSLB study guide 13E-B2

Keep going: the full CSLB B-2 Residential Remodeling guide covers every section of the exam. CSLB B-2 Residential Remodeling Study Guide — 2026 Edition — PDF + EPUB, $24.99 · 14-day refund →

Want the 6-page colour cheat sheet to print for exam week? CSLB B-2 Residential Remodeling cheat sheet PDF — $9.99 →

Practice this topic →← All chapters
Studying in order?

Practice stays free. The full CSLB B-2 Residential Remodeling study guide is the material itself, taught start to finish — a downloadable PDF + EPUB you keep.

Get the book — $24.99