ARTICLE
By Adrianna Lopez, Director of Labor Relations (Published in Monday Morning Quarterback, Decemer 15, 2025) California Public Works compliance can be complex, and even experienced contractors can make costly mistakes. Understanding these common pitfalls is essential to avoiding penalties and keeping projects on track. Here are the top 10 mistakes to watch out for: 1. Using the wrong wage determination applicable to the project Selecting the wrong wage determination can result in either underpayments or sometimes unnecessary overpayments. 2. Using the wrong craft (misclassification) Be sure to review the published Scope of Work on the DIR website to ensure that the craft you select matches the actual work to be performed on site. 3. Failing to consider increases Not only can this result in underpayment to workers, but it also cuts into profit if not considered at the time of bid. 4. Assuming an apprentice won’t be dispatched Failure to include the cost of hiring an apprentice for 20% of journeyman hours by craft can result in an expensive mistake should an apprentice be dispatched. 5. Not submitting the DAS 140 form to all applicable programs by craft on time These forms are required to be sent (with proof of submission) to all applicable programs found in the listing by county on this website, within 10 days of contract execution or no later than the first day on site- whichever comes first. 6. Not meeting required apprentice hiring goals Use of apprentices is required, at a ratio of 20% of Journeyman hours for each apprenticeable craft used. 7. Failure to remit timely training contributions Training contributions are paid to either a DIR-approved apprenticeship program or to the California Apprenticeship Council. Penalties may be assessed for contributions made later than the 15th of each month for the previous month’s hours by craft and by project. 8. Lapse in registration or failure to register with the DIR Contractors must be registered and in good standing to bid on, or work on, a Public Works project. Penalties may be assessed to the contractor, the hiring contractor, and the Awarding Body if registration is not current at the time of bid. 9. Not monitoring subcontractor compliance and taking corrective action when there is a compliance concern You may be jointly liable for unpaid wages and penalties if your subcontractor is not in compliance with prevailing wage mandates. 10. Not adhering to craft overtime, travel, and holiday requirements Each craft has its own working rules, holidays, and travel provisions, AND these rules may vary depending on job location and wage determination. Be sure to carefully review these working rules and published holidays regularly to ensure that there are no wage violations, which could result in costly penalties. Avoiding these mistakes requires proactive planning, thorough review of compliance requirements, and ongoing monitoring of your team and subcontractors. By addressing these areas upfront, contractors can reduce risk and maintain smooth project execution.
By Adrianna Lopez, Director of Labor Relations (Published in Monday Morning Quarterback, Decemer 15, 2025)
California Public Works compliance can be complex, and even experienced contractors can make costly mistakes. Understanding these common pitfalls is essential to avoiding penalties and keeping projects on track. Here are the top 10 mistakes to watch out for:
1. Using the wrong wage determination applicable to the project Selecting the wrong wage determination can result in either underpayments or sometimes unnecessary overpayments.
2. Using the wrong craft (misclassification) Be sure to review the published Scope of Work on the DIR website to ensure that the craft you select matches the actual work to be performed on site.
3. Failing to consider increases Not only can this result in underpayment to workers, but it also cuts into profit if not considered at the time of bid.
4. Assuming an apprentice won’t be dispatched Failure to include the cost of hiring an apprentice for 20% of journeyman hours by craft can result in an expensive mistake should an apprentice be dispatched.
5. Not submitting the DAS 140 form to all applicable programs by craft on time These forms are required to be sent (with proof of submission) to all applicable programs found in the listing by county on this website, within 10 days of contract execution or no later than the first day on site- whichever comes first.
6. Not meeting required apprentice hiring goals Use of apprentices is required, at a ratio of 20% of Journeyman hours for each apprenticeable craft used.
7. Failure to remit timely training contributions Training contributions are paid to either a DIR-approved apprenticeship program or to the California Apprenticeship Council. Penalties may be assessed for contributions made later than the 15th of each month for the previous month’s hours by craft and by project.
8. Lapse in registration or failure to register with the DIR Contractors must be registered and in good standing to bid on, or work on, a Public Works project. Penalties may be assessed to the contractor, the hiring contractor, and the Awarding Body if registration is not current at the time of bid.
9. Not monitoring subcontractor compliance and taking corrective action when there is a compliance concern You may be jointly liable for unpaid wages and penalties if your subcontractor is not in compliance with prevailing wage mandates.
10. Not adhering to craft overtime, travel, and holiday requirements Each craft has its own working rules, holidays, and travel provisions, AND these rules may vary depending on job location and wage determination. Be sure to carefully review these working rules and published holidays regularly to ensure that there are no wage violations, which could result in costly penalties.
Avoiding these mistakes requires proactive planning, thorough review of compliance requirements, and ongoing monitoring of your team and subcontractors. By addressing these areas upfront, contractors can reduce risk and maintain smooth project execution.