AMTV, Sacramento, July 29 – The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) recently conducted an undercover sting operation targeting unlicensed contractors in Sacramento County.
CSLB’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) went undercover in mid-July to catch unlicensed contractors in Elk Grove. Eleven unlicensed operators placed bids ranging from about $2,100 for replacing siding to as much as $17,500 for concrete work – all above the $500 threshold that requires a contractor’s license.
In California, contracting without a license provides for administrative fines up to $15,000 and can be charged as a misdemeanor with sentences of up to six months in jail and a $5,000 criminal fine. A second offense results in a mandatory 90-day jail sentence and a fine of 20 percent of the contract price or $5,000 – whichever is greater.
The suspects could face additional administrative or criminal charges for placing illegal advertisements for construction services without having the required license. Licensed contractors in California are required to include their license number on all business-related materials including advertisements, vehicles, and business cards. Unlicensed individuals’ advertisements for contracting services must explicitly state their lack of licensure and the value of work performed (materials and labor) may not exceed $500.
“CSLB is dedicated to protecting homeowners from the risks posed by unlicensed contractors,” said David Fogt, CSLB Registrar. “We continually educate consumers on the importance of hiring licensed contractors and urge homeowners to verify a contractor’s license before starting any construction project in California.”