Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:00pm

The Construction Connection - California Contractor News, Notes & Legislation

About Jeremy Schaedler

Shortly after graduating from the University of California, Los Angeles with a bachelors degree in economics, Jeremy founded Surety First Insurance Services (formerly Schaedler Insurance), a Northern California based insurance agency specializing in surety bonds for California construction professionals. Jeremy is happily married and the proud father of two young boys. In his free time, he enjoys camping, fishing and shooting the breeze with friends and family.
A contractor looks at a set of blueprints

Western Surety Company Contractor Bonds

Facebooktwitterlinkedinmail

Being that a surety bond is a financial investment, it’s understandable that contractors want the best service and terms. At Surety First, we partner closely with the underwriters of Western Surety Company, now part of CNA Surety, to provide our clients with quality bond agreements and customer relationships. Read on to learn more about these […]

The Most Popular Kitchen Gadget of 2021 in Every State

Facebooktwitterlinkedinmail

We all know what it’s like to take that full inventory of all the different gadgets, tools, and general items you have in your kitchen: Maybe it’s because you’re moving out, or maybe it’s just time for that annual decluttering. While old standbys like the spatula or can opener are basically considered kitchen must-haves at […]

A white hardhat resting atop some blueprints, with three additional rolled-up blueprints to the side, and risers and cranes in a construction site visible in the background.

Obstacles That Minorities in Construction Face

Facebooktwitterlinkedinmail

Professional Development Resources for Minorities in Construction Construction is one of the most lucrative and fastest-growing industries in America, but the industry has been challenged by a labor shortage. The trade skills gap in construction, which refers to the lack of skilled laborers, is largely responsible for the labor shortage seen across the industry. The […]

A worker on a construction site

What Is a Surety Bond, and How Much Does It Cost?

Facebooktwitterlinkedinmail

Surety bonds are an essential part of being a construction business owner, and having the proper bonding in place can make all the difference in acquiring work and building revenue, staying compliant with state law as well as staying in operation if your company ever doesn’t uphold its contractual obligations whether intentional or unintentional. Acquiring […]

California Contractor License Bond Requirements Are Increasing: Here’s What You Need to Know

Facebooktwitterlinkedinmail

In late September 2021, Senate Bill 607 was signed into law, changing the California contractor license bond amount from $15,000 to $25,000 and from $12,500 for the bond of qualifying individual to $25,000 as well. It has now become Chapter 367, Statute of 2021 of the California legal code.  Here’s what you need to know […]

What Would it Take for Americans to Stay in a Haunted House?

What Would it Take for Americans to Stay in a Haunted House?

Facebooktwitterlinkedinmail

Break out your cozy sweaters and dust off your pumpkin-themed decor, because fall is officially among us. If you ask us, watching scary movies and visiting haunted houses are year-round activities. But there’s nothing quite like the uneasy feeling of a fright sending shivers down your spine with a crisp chill in the air. Of […]

featured image for the most popular Taylor Swift albums in the U.S.

The Most Popular Taylor Swift Album in Every U.S. State

Facebooktwitterlinkedinmail

In the last year, Taylor Swift has raked in headlines—and, we suspect, a ton of money—with surprise album drops, significant pandemic relief funding, and revamped recordings of old hits. Tall, blonde, and almost unbearably earnest, Swift has been both a music industry darling and outcast, stacking Grammy nominations and awards while coming to blows with […]

How to Incorporate a Business – 6 Steps to Know

Facebooktwitterlinkedinmail

Wondering if your business should become a corporation? It’s an important decision to make. Many choose the route of business incorporation for one of three reasons: to limit personal liability, to sell the business, or to attract outside investors. Whatever you’re planning, it’s critical to know the facts, because there are both benefits and challenges […]

How financially independent are Americans? A survey

Money Matters – Are Americans Actually Financially Independent?

Facebooktwitterlinkedinmail

Let’s talk money. Some people have it, some people hoard it, and some people give it away. But one thing’s for sure—we all spend it. And with rising costs of living, inaccessible housing, higher education costs, and lower-paying post-graduate employment opportunities, today’s consumers may be stretching their dollars more than they’d like. But whose money […]

person daydreaming and house hunting on Zillow

House Hunting for Fun – Are Zillow Users Obsessed?

Facebooktwitterlinkedinmail

Zillow is the leading real estate and rental marketplace, with 245 million monthly unique users in 2020 alone. Those looking to buy, rent, or sell a home are no strangers to the company’s website, but what about those of us who just want to see how far our money goes on local real estate, or […]