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
Home |
