CSLB General B License #1092969
Hire Licensed Contractor for Your Protection!
NO LICENSE! In California, it is illegal to perform repairs greater than $500 without a contractors license. If the job is over $500, the contractor must inform you whether they are licensed or unlicensed. If they are unlicensed, you hire them at your own peril. There is only recourse in small claims court or possibly reporting them to CSLB. Think about it: just about every job nowadays is greater than $500, especially restoration/remediation work. Many mold restoration companies are offering thousands of dollars’ worth of repairs without a contractor’s license!
Licensed contractors must display their license number prominently in any contract they offer. In fact, any stationary, advertisements, and branded vehicles must have the license number prominently displayed. “No License, No Business!” should be your motto. Great customer service is not so great if they operate illegally and potentially rip you off with a smile! CSLB has an enforcement division that is overwhelmed with the likes of unlicensed contractors. Do you part to protect consumers against unlicensed contractors by contacting CSLB Enforcement Division here.
10% deposit or $1,000 whichever is less; Actually, it is against the law except in rare instances of the contractor having a bond on file with CSLB to collect more than 10% of the contracted amount before the work begins. The sales contract requires this deposit notification, and if your contractor hasn’t provided this disclosure or CSLB-verifiable bond on file, that contractor is breaking the law! CSLB has an enforcement division that is charged with investigating the likes of unscrupulous contractors. Do you part to protect consumers against unethical contractors by contacting the CSLB Enforcement Division here.
Outdated badges for review sites such as Yelp and ANGI (formerly Angie’s List). Actually, it is against the ethics and standards of ANGI to use prior year’s Super Service Awards. Visit the actual platforms that contractors hold out to verify their current standing. “What have you done for me lately?” applies here.
Outdated badges for trade organizations such as Angie’s List (They were renamed ANGI nearly 10 years ago!), BBB and IICRC. Companies have to pay a fee to be accredited by BBB & IICRC and their company will be designated as “Accredited” or “Certified”, respectively. Visit the sites that are promoted on contractors’ websites, vehicles, or letterhead.
If a contractor is willing to misrepresent their reputation by exaggerating their bona fides, there’s a high probability they are also exaggerating their price estimates to exploit you financially. It is unethical to embellish one’s credentials and reputation. Go with a contractor that can offer you the most transparency and verifiable credentials on third-party websites.