Unlicensed landscape contractors were in for a big surprise last week as an everyday ranch house became the background for an undercover operation. Investigators from the Contractors State License Board worked covertly to invite bids for backyard jobs including; replacing the backyard sod, replacing a sprinkler system, building a patio cover and a constructing a retaining wall. While it may seem like a great idea to peruse Craigslist and other such websites, officials and professionals agree you will be spending more time and money in the end if the contractor you choose is unlicensed. 

Any job in the state of California totalling more thank $500 requires a license. Obtaining a license requires a test of skill and providing bonds and workers compensation insurance. The sting operation included pulling names from fliers, websites and word of mouth. Maria Subia, an investigator for hte California State Board collected the names and scheduled appointments for 13 individuals suspected of working without state licenses.  By late afternoon, nine were cited for contracting without a license- a misdemeanor.  Two people were arrested and booked in jail for felony charges of illegally using someone else’s warrant, or for having outstanding warrants.

Cynthia Mitchell, a licensed contractor and member of the State Board says of many unlicensed contractors, “They’ll undercut us and then I’ll be getting a phone call from that same homeowner asking me to tear out the work or try to finish the work someone else had started and ultimately cost the homeowner more money”.

The investigators say that the sting was a small piece in trying to protect consumers from the pitfalls of hiring an unlicensed person to work for them.  Licensed contractors are required to post a minimum of a $12,000 bond. This insures that if the job goes wrong, at least there is some money there. Uninsured contractors don’t have this safety net to offer their consumers.