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• 03/22/2002

CSLB Press Release - 03/22/2002

Contractors Board Offers Free Information

SONOMA COUNTY — The Contractors State License Board (CSLB), the agency that licenses and regulates building contractors, has something to give Napa-Solano Spring Home & Garden Show attendees: free information.

Free consumer-friendly publications and staff are available at the CSLB booth to help homeowners with questions about hiring building contractors, home remodeling and repair, and managing the contracting process.

After consumers check out the contractors at the home and garden show, they can check out their contractors' licenses with CSLB. In addition to the Napa-Solano Spring Home & Garden Show, consumers may contact the CSLB at (800) 321-CSLB or online at www.cslb.ca.gov.

The Contractors State License offers these tips for anyone hiring a building contractor:

• Hire only licensed contractors.
• Check contractors license number at (800) 321-CSLB or at www.cslb.ca.gov.
• Get three references and review past work.
• Get at least three bids.
• Get a written contract and don't sign anything until you completely understand the terms.
• Pay 10% down or $1,000, whichever is less.
• Don't let payments get ahead of the work. Keep records of payments.
• Don't make final payment until you're satisfied with the job.
• Don't pay cash.
• Keep a job file of all papers relating to your project.

The Contractors State License Board, which operates under the umbrella of the California Department of Consumer Affairs, licenses 278,000 contractors in California and investigates 25,000 complaints against licensed and unlicensed contractors annually.