Contractor's Board Runs Sting in San Clemente
By David Zimmerle, San Clemente Times
The Contractor’s State License Board's Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) partnered with Orange County District Attorney’s investigators and Sheriff’s Department investigators for two-day sting operation October 29 through 30 to catch unlicensed contractors working in San Clemente.
The operation highlighted the risks consumers face if they hire unlicensed contractors for home or business improvement projects. SWIFT Enforcement Representatives posed as owners of a commercial suite and warehouse in an effort to catch unlicensed, uninsured suspects who submitted bids greater than $500 for construction projects. California Business & Professions (B&P) Code requires that any job valued at $500 or more for labor and materials, must be done by a company licensed by the state.
SWIFT investigators targeted those who advertised their construction services online or in local publications. California law also requires that all advertisements include a valid state contractor license number or that those performing the work are not licensed. Those who are not licensed by CSLB may only do projects valued at less than $500 (labor and materials). Those caught in prior stings were also invited to the sting location, according to a CSLB news release.
“You never know who you might be letting into your home if you contract with someone that isn’t licensed,” said CSLB Registrar Steve Sands. “Since 2005, CSLB has conducted background checks on all new applicants, and those adding classifications to their licenses. Those with offenses substantially related to contracting are not granted licenses. Consumers should always ask to see the contractor’s CSLB license and a photo ID to verify that it’s that person.”
CSLB uses stings to educate unlicensed contractors on how they can come into compliance with the law, once they’ve paid their fine for contracting without a license. DA investigators used this operation as an opportunity to let them know they could face additional charges in the future if they do not carry workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. Licensees are also required to have workers’ compensation coverage for all employees, and for themselves if they are C-39 roofing contractors, to ensure home owners will not be responsible for a work injury should it occur on their property.
“Consumers might think they’re saving money by hiring the unlicensed, uninsured person who offers a low bid,” Sands said. “But, if somebody is hurt while working on the project and doesn’t have workers’ compensation insurance, the homeowner could be held liable for any medical expenses, which would undoubtedly prove much more costly.”
As a result of the busts, suspects were issued a Notice to Appear (NTA) at the Orange County Superior Court’s Central Justice Center in Santa Ana on December 15, 2009 to answer misdemeanor charges of contracting without a license and advertising violations. During the two-day operation, 14 NTAs were issued, and a 15th person was issued an NTA for allowing another person to fraudulently use his CSLB license number.
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Jim's right. One of the biggest problems in San Clemente is the building dept. Many people I know bootleg improvements so they don't have to deal with the bully bureaucrats at the city. They go out of their way to give you a hard time and interfere with your project;I think just to flex their muscle. I've delt with them twice now and both times the contractor asked me to file for the permit, and be there for every step of the inspection process. The contractors wanted me, as a citizen, to see how they treat people. They felt that if a voting citizen was present they might act different. I felt their treatment of me was horrible. Both contractors said it was better than treatment they recieve.If I ever do another home improvement project,unless the city improves their treatment of people, citizens & contractors, I will definitely bootleg the project which isn't the way it should be.
They called me and I told them to SUCK IT!! ha ha ha
Jim your right, I as well am licensed (25 years) carry Workers comp and $1,000.000 Lib. It's tough for us to compete with the real guy's (thats ok) but your right the letters and calls or door knock's are just flakes and when you check out a lic.# on there info it's either fake or not the person assigned to it.
Like you state the board blow's off real contractors and just get's off there "6" when it's time to make Jokn Q Public think there doing there job. Most of them have never been a contractor or have owned a business.
So in these hard economic times we just have to do our best, But I know a lot of contractors that would rather get rid of the enforcement side of contractors board and just go with the judicial system in place. I guess they can go work for the DMV..
This is just a media stunt. As a licensed contractor in San Clemente I get 15 cards and advertisements a WEEK on the door of my home from unlicensed contractors. All the state could come up with is 15 people to cite!!??
They should be doing this EVERY DAY. (I even volunteered my home to use as a sting site).
If they would actually enforce the laws regarding unlicensed contractors and illegal labor I could afford to hire more local people and pay better wages!
That would be a sure fire way to help the local economy instead of the way the city of San Clemente treats licensed contractors with bureaucracy, and excessive fees!
Thats all great. but when they fine guy's like "Gonzales Construction" and they offer to cut the fine in half or waive it if they get licensed what's the point? Licensed contractors have to obey the law and the contractors board get's a photo opportunity and just issues a ticket that they can't or won't enforce and don't even follow up on there investigations (ask Ruben)They have lowered there requirements (citizenship education etc,)so then were back at square one. For a state agency that is one of the only one's that is making MONEY then do your job! Monitor them i,e, probation and restrict them from taking a contractors test for at least one year or more. Why should they get a break just because thay FINALLY got caught? Because in the end it's not licensed contractors that louse it's Mr. & Mrs. CONSUMER! you know the ones that look to the state to protect them? So contractors board when a licensed contractor calls to report a unlicensed flake doing work don't make he or she the bad guy "what's your beef with them?" remember as per your site it's supposed to be anoymous not selective or convenient for you..