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• 05/26/2006

CSLB Press Release - 05/26/2006

Big Trouble from the State Contractors Board For Small Town Operators

Illegal Contractors Caught in Frazier Park Sting Operation

SACRAMENTO — More than two dozen would-be contractors showed up for an invitation to a sting house in the Frazier Park area where they were nabbed by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) for unlicensed activity. Members of the CSLB's Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) posed as homeowners and invited suspected unlicensed contractors to the house to bid on various home improvement projects that included landscaping, tree trimming and concrete work. The enforcement action was done on May 24 and 25 in cooperation with the Kern County Sheriff's Department and the Kern County Chapter of the California Landscape Contractors Association.

During this week's sting, 26 operators were given a "Notices to Appear" (NTA) before Kern County Superior Court to answer misdemeanor charges of contracting without a license and for advertising violations. The charges carry a maximum of six months in jail or a $1,000 fine for the first offense. A second violation carries a mandatory 90-day jail sentence. Three people were arrested and taken away to jail for offences that included an outstanding no bail warrant and prior convictions for contracting without a license. In addition, two men were in possession of weapons and another was a registered sex offender. Another individual was caught using his deceased father's license.

By law, all contractors who perform work that totals $500 or more (labor and materials) must be licensed by the CSLB. "The individuals targeted in this sting operation were the subject of previous complaints, repeat offenders or blatant violators," said CSLB Registrar Steve Sands. "Homeowners need to be aware that unlicensed contractors can pose serious safety and financial problems."

The CSLB conducts sting operations on an almost weekly basis, is to highlight the dangers to consumers who hire unlicensed workers, and to educate unlicensed workers about California laws. In this operation, investigators were targeting repeat offenders, subjects of complaints and blatant violators of advertising law. Contractors need to say if they are unlicensed or have their license number on their ad if they hold a valid California contractors license.

Before hiring any contractor, homeowners should go online or call CSLB's automated phone system to verify that he/she holds a valid license. They can also check out the contractor's license history and get bond and personnel information.

The CSLB urges consumers to follow these tips when dealing with a building contractor:

• Hire only licensed contractors and ask to see the license;
• Don't rush into decisions and don't hire the first contractor who comes along;
• Be especially hesitant when approached by someone offering home improvement services door-to-door, especially when they will use material they claim is left over from another job;
• Verify the contractor's license by checking online or via CSLB's automated phone service at 1-800-321-CSLB (2752)
• Don't pay more than 10% down or $1,000, whichever is less;
• Don't pay cash, and don't let the payments get ahead of the work;
• Get three bids, check references, and a written contract; and
• Contact the CSLB if you have a complaint against a contractor

The Contractors State License Board operates under the umbrella of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. The CSLB licenses and regulates California's 302,000 contractors, and investigates more than 20,000 complaints against contractors annually. In fiscal year 2004-05, the CSLB helped consumers get more than $36 million in restitution.