Not much has changed since this article was originally printed
in the 1995 version of HomeWork, the publication name prior to
Big Bear Magazine. Always check out a contractor with the state
board. Also check Big Bear’s local resource, The Big Bear Valley
Contractors Association, www.bbvca.com.
Barbara Scharnhorst, Publisher
Questions & Answers Question: We are in the process of hiring a
contractor in Big Bear, for various home improvements, and we
want to make sure he's legitimate. What do we look for? How do
we protect ourselves?
Every licensed contractor carries a "pocket license," or "pocket
ID," which identifies the individual contractor, or the business
name under which the contractor is working. In California, any
job that costs $600 or more MUST be performed by a contractor
who holds a current, valid license.
According to the CALIFORNIA STATE LICENSE BOARD, unlicensed
contractors, who may present a lower bid, and talk you into
being your own general contractor, or "Owner/ Builder," may be
doing you no favor. YOU, not the person you hire, assume
responsibility for the overall job, which includes such things
as state and federal taxes, workers compensation, and other
legal liabilities." Should you have a complaint or not be
satisfied with your project, you have very little legal recourse
with unlicensed individuals.
When you hire a licensed professional to handle your project,
you hire a person or company experienced in building, as well as
the business of construction. You also have the backing of the
CALIFORNIA STATE LICENSE BOARD to assist if problems arise.
Contractors may not work under another person's license. That
would be the same scenario as someone driving under another
person's driver’s license. Not legal, not valid.-delete that
contractor from your list of professionals! Make sure the
license you see belongs to the person you hire!
Always take the time to verify the status of the license. A
license number does not verify its validity. You can easily
check this by calling the CONTRACTORS STATE LICENSE BOARD at
800-321-2752, or visiting www.cslb.com. Take the time to check
your contractor and you will avoid problems down the line.
Before you begin any remodeling project, have a contract, in
writing that clearly specifies the work to be done by your
contractor.
In almost all cases, the law requires a contractor to give you
“written notice of your right to cancel a contract within three
business days of signing it.” According to the CSLB, you should
“use these three days to review the contract again.” If
something bothers you, the time to discuss it with your
contractor is now, not after the work begins.
Check that your scope of work is specified completely. For
example, if the contractor is to "supply and install" your
faucet, make sure this is in writing. If your contractor will
"install" a client- supplied faucet, make sure that is also in
writing. Remember, the contract is your job outline, and it
should detail exactly what will happen with your project, and
who will supply what items.
Make sure your contract includes everything you feel is
important to the job including complete clean-up and removal of
debris and materials, and special requests like saving lumber
for firewood or saving certain materials or appliances.
Finally, make sure your payment schedule is included in your
contract, up front. California law requires that "the amount of
down payment for any home improvement contract may not exceed
$1,000 or ten percent of the contract price, whichever is less."
Make sure additional payments do not get ahead of the
contractor's work.
For example, payments for a new garage might read: Completion
of grading, completion of slab, completion of framing,
completion of electrical, etc. The entire schedule, with exact
amounts owing, should be spelled out and signed off by the
homeowner. Your contract should "clearly state your final
agreement and accurately reflect everything involved in the work
being done by your contractor." And as with any legal contract,
it must also include the name, physical address and license
number of the contractor.
Barbara Scharnhorst
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