Early warning signs of an unlicensed contractor:
v A large down payment is requested before work begins.
v Many requests for money during early phases of construction.
v The homeowner is asked to obtain the permit.
v Verbal contract only, the person is not willing to put all terms in writing.
v The contractor does not have proof of insurance.
v The contractor informs the homeowner that the job does not require a permit or inspection. (To verify if a permit is actually required, call your local Building Department .)
v The contractor is only willing to work on weekends or after hours.
v Contractor displays only an occupational license. (An occupational license is not a license to perform construction work)
v The homeowner is asked to make check payable to an individual when the contract is with a company, or asked to make payments in cash, or make checks payable to “cash”.
v Advertisements where only the telephone number appears and there is not a business address or license number.
v License numbers are not on the vehicle, business cards, contracts, newspapers or yellow page advertisements.
The one constant through the last year of rough economy in Southern California has been unlicensed illegal alien" contractors ", taking work away from the legitimate guys, operating without basic insurance. The State is out to collect it's fees, not look out for the homeowners best interest. It is up to the customer to verify that the people they are considering hiring to work on their house carry a contractors license, workers comp. and liability insurance.
