Idaho Public Works Glazing Contractor in Boise: Our Class B License Explained

Updated October 2026

Key facts

• Who: Gatsby Glass of Treasure Valley, a glass and glazing contractor at 276 N Maple Grove Rd., Suite 120, Boise, ID 83704. Phone (208) 400-3356.
• License: Idaho Public Works Contractor, Class B, issued August 2026 by the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL).
• Bid limit: up to $600,000 per project.
• Approved categories: Entrances, Storefronts, and Curtain Walls · Windows · Doors and Frames · Specialty Doors and Frames · Decorative Metal.
• Bonding: bondable for the performance and payment bonds Idaho requires on public contracts of $50,000 or more.
• Service area: Ada, Canyon, Elmore and Valley counties, including Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Eagle, Kuna, Star, Middleton, Garden City, Mountain Home, McCall, Cascade and Donnelly.

Gatsby Glass of Treasure Valley is now a licensed Idaho public works contractor. General contractors and public owners can bring us onto publicly funded projects for storefront, entrances, curtain wall, windows, doors and decorative metal. Below is what the license means in practice, what Idaho requires on public glazing work, and how we handle a bid from plans to punch list.

Who needs an Idaho public works license for glass work?

In Idaho, any contractor or subcontractor working on a project that involves public funding needs a public works license when the estimated cost of the entire project is $50,000 or more. That covers state agencies, counties, cities, school districts, public universities, fire districts and other political subdivisions (DOPL Public Works Contractors).

The threshold applies to the total project, not to the glazing scope alone. A $40,000 storefront package on a $2 million school addition still requires a licensed glazing subcontractor.

What does a Class B license allow?

DOPL sets each license class by a bid limit, backed by minimum net worth and working capital. Class B lets a contractor bid public projects up to $600,000.

Source: Idaho DOPL license class table

On most public building projects in the Treasure Valley, the glazing scope sits well inside that range. That includes school storefronts and entrances, fire station remodels, municipal office renovations and campus interior glass.

What our license covers

Our license is approved for five specialty categories. Here is what each one means on a real job:

• Entrances, Storefronts, and Curtain Walls: aluminum storefront framing and glass (see our business owner's guide to aluminum storefront glass), entrance doors with closers and panic hardware, plus curtain wall systems.
• Windows: new and replacement windows and glass on public buildings.
• Doors and Frames: glass and aluminum doors and their frames.
• Specialty Doors and Frames: specialty glass door systems, such as all-glass and sliding systems in lobbies, offices and conference areas.
• Decorative Metal: glass and metal railings, guards and architectural metal that goes with the glazing scope.

You can confirm our license any time. Search "Gatsby Glass" on the DOPL license lookup, which shows our class and approved categories.

What bonds and retainage apply on Idaho public work?

Idaho Code §54-1926 sets the rules for public contracts of $50,000 or more (Idaho Code 54-1926):

• Performance bond of at least 85% of the contract amount.
• Payment bond of at least 85% of the contract amount, protecting suppliers and subcontractors.
• Retainage is capped at 5% when bonds exceed 50% of the contract. Retainage on completed, accepted portions must be released within 30 days. The same 5% cap applies between the general contractor and subcontractors.
• The public owner cannot require a specific surety company, agent or broker.

We are bondable and already carry bonding capacity from our multifamily work. Certificates of insurance are available for bid packages and at award.

What GCs should expect from a glazing sub on a public bid

Public jobs reward subs who price accurately and keep the schedule. Here is how we run one:

1. Takeoff from the full set. We price from the plans, specs, door and window schedules and every addendum, not just the elevations. Glazing scope often hides in the door hardware sets and the interior partition details.
2. A proposal you can level. Clear inclusions and exclusions on glass makeup, framing system, finish, hardware, caulking and perimeter sealants. You can compare our number line by line.
3. Submittals before anything is ordered. Product data, glass makeup, finish samples and hardware cut sheets go to the architect for approval first.
4. Accessibility details done right. Entrance work on public buildings has to meet the 2010 ADA Standards, including thresholds no higher than 1/2 inch and an opening force of no more than 5 pounds on interior hinged doors (fire doors excepted). We spec closers and hardware with that in mind from the start.
5. Safety glazing where code requires it. Glass in doors and other hazardous locations must meet safety glazing standards such as 16 CFR 1201. We confirm the glass makeup on every opening during submittals.
6. Field verification, then fabrication. We measure actual openings on site before glass is cut. That avoids remakes and keeps the schedule intact.
7. Our own installers through closeout. We coordinate with the other trades, work the punch list with your superintendent and hand over warranty and maintenance information at the end.

Why use a local Boise glazing contractor?

Our shop is on Maple Grove Road in Boise, so we are minutes from most Treasure Valley job sites. Being local helps in a few practical ways:

• Faster site walks. We can usually get to a pre-bid walkthrough on short notice.
• Quick punch-list response. We are close by when the superintendent needs something fixed.
• Warranty service from people who stay in the valley. You won't be waiting on a crew to drive in from out of state.
• We know the local inspectors and climate. Boise's hot, dry summers and cold winter inversions both affect sealants and installation timing.

Still the same glass company for homes and businesses

The public works license adds to what we do; it does not replace it. We still design and install frameless glass showers, custom mirrors, glass railings and glass walls for homeowners, builders and businesses across the valley every week. The same crews and standards go into a fire station entrance and a primary bathroom.

Frequently asked questions

Do glazing subcontractors need an Idaho public works license?
Yes, if the project involves public funding and the estimated cost of the entire project is $50,000 or more. The license class has to cover the subcontract amount. Gatsby Glass of Treasure Valley holds a Class B license, good for bids up to $600,000.

What is the bid limit for a Class B public works license in Idaho?
$600,000 per project, according to the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses.

What bonds are required on Idaho public works projects?
On public contracts of $50,000 or more, Idaho Code §54-1926 requires a performance bond and a payment bond, each at least 85% of the contract amount.

How much retainage can a general contractor hold from a subcontractor on Idaho public work?
No more than 5%, and it must be paid to the subcontractor within 30 days after the subcontract is complete.

Who is a licensed public works glass contractor in Boise?
Gatsby Glass of Treasure Valley at 276 N Maple Grove Rd., Suite 120, Boise, holds an Idaho Class B public works license. It covers entrances, storefronts and curtain walls, windows, doors and frames, specialty doors and frames, and decorative metal.

What areas do you cover for public projects?
Ada, Canyon, Elmore and Valley counties, including Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Eagle, Kuna, Star, Middleton, Garden City, Mountain Home, McCall, Cascade and Donnelly.

Do you still do residential work?
Yes. Frameless showers, custom mirrors, glass railings and glass walls for homeowners and builders are the core of our business.

Send us your bid invitation

If you are a general contractor or public owner with a project in Ada, Canyon, Elmore or Valley County, add us to your bidders list. Send plans and bid documents through our contact page or call (208) 400-3356.

Planning a home project instead? Book a free design consultation.

Related services: Commercial glass · Glass walls and partitions · Conference room glass · Glass railings · Aluminum storefront glass guide · Storefront glass solutions in Boise

About the author: Keith Nyeki owns Gatsby Glass of Treasure Valley, which he opened in Boise in 2023. In 2024 the location was named Gatsby Glass's Franchise of the Year. Keith runs the business; our project managers, estimators and installers bring the hands-on glass expertise to every job, from frameless showers to public works storefronts.