Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) netted 14 suspects in a San Jose undercover sting operation this week. The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office assisted in the December 7, 2010 sting and a sweep of construction sites on December 8, which resulted in one citation for contracting with an expired license and another for failure to carry workers compensation insurance.
CSLB Bulletin SWIFT arrest contractors contracting without a license.
A surety bond is a contract in which a surety company promises the State of California that the contractor will comply with the Contractors’ State License Law. Generally speaking, a licensed contractor is obligated not to commit any violations of the Contractors’ State License Law. The law describes and identifies specific violations that the bond will cover and violations can result in disciplinary action against the licensed contractor.
CSLB Announces Zero-Tolerance for C-10 Requirement ViolationsOnly Certified Electricians to Perform Work as Electricians SACRAMENTO – Effective immediately, the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) establishes a zero-tolerance enforcement policy and will issue legal action against any C-10 Electrical contractor who willfully employs even one uncertified electrician to perform work as an electrician. CSLB is legally … Read more
Who must be licensed as a contractor?
All businesses or individuals, who construct or alter any building, highway, road, parking facility, railroad, excavation, or other structure in California, must be licensed by the California Contractors State License Board if the total cost (labor and materials) of one or more contracts on the project is $500 or more. Contractors must be licensed before submitting bids.
A total of 111 suspected unlicensed contractors were arrested during the two-day statewide undercover operation on October 20 and 21, 2010.
SWIFT investigators posed as homeowners who were looking for a contractor to do fencing work on their home. Those who bid more than $500 were arrested and issued an issued a Notice to Appear (NTA) in court for contracting without a license. California law requires all home improvement jobs valued at greater than $500 for labor and materials be undertaken by a state-licensed contractor. Those without licenses may advertise their services and work on jobs valued at less than $500, but their ads must state that they are not licensed. Licensees are required to put their license number in all ads.
More news continues to flood marketplace surrounding arrest, fines, and unlawful activity surrounding contracting without a license. Just today News 10 ABC’s Michelle Ponto reported the following,
Overview of what the CSLB -Contractors State License Board, considers an illegal contractor and share what penalties these operators are potentially subject to.
Many consumers want to avoid costly pitfalls such as these by hiring an experienced Licensed Contractor