A city hires a contractor for a $50,000 public sidewalk repair. Regarding prevailing wages, the contractor must:
Explanation
Labor Code §1771 excepts only public works of $1,000 or less, so a $50,000 city sidewalk job carries the full prevailing wage obligation for every covered worker, at the rates the DIR Director has determined for that craft and county. Repair is named in the definition of public works, so it earns no minimum-wage treatment. Apprentices are paid their own prevailing rate, but so is every journeyman. The $25,000 figure is real but belongs elsewhere: §1771.5(a) lets an awarding body with an approved labor compliance programme skip prevailing wage on construction of $25,000 or less, and $15,000 or less for alteration, demolition, repair or maintenance.
Law Reference: Labor Code §1771; §1771.5(a)This topic, taught in full in the CSLB Law & Business guide. CSLB Law & Business — Complete Study Guide (2026) — PDF + EPUB, $24.99 · 14-day refund →
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