Choosing a Contractor
I’m Ed Smith, a Woodland car accident lawyer. Governor Jerry Brown has declared most counties in California under a state of emergency in response to a series of serious storms that swept through the state earlier this month. On Thursday, January 24, 2017, Yolo County issued an emergency proclamation for the homeowners and businesses that were affected by the severity of the storms.
Selecting a Contractor
The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is urging homeowners to take the proper precautions while selecting and hiring a contractor to work on their home. It is important that you hire a contractor with a valid state-issued contractors license.
Reminders to Contractors
The CSLB is also reminding contractors that they must maintain a current license, in the appropriate classification, to be able to perform a majority of work on homes and other buildings that were damaged by the recent California storms, flooding, and mudslides. CSLB also sent out a warning to unlicensed contractors that given the current state of emergency in California, there is the potential for stronger penalties for operating illegally. It is classified as a felony to perform contracting work in a legally declared disaster area without a valid contractor license. The penalty may include a fine of up to $10,000 or up t0 16 months in a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation prison. In order for a contractor to achieve a valid California state contracting license they must:
- Pass a licensing exanimation
- Carry a license bond
- Have at least 4 years of journey-level experience
- Pass a criminal background check.
Homeowners are able to verify a contractors information and license information on the CSLB’s website. If the contractor has had any legal complaints filed against them, they will also be listed there.
Working With a Contractor
The CSLB offers these tips to consumers who are dealing with a building contractor:
- Only hire California state-licensed contractors, make sure you ask to see their license
- Visit CSLB’s website and verify the information and license the contractor has given you
- Get at least 3 estimates/bids from different contractors, ask for references, contact their references, and make sure you get a written contract from the contractor you choose
- Don’t put more than $1,000 or 10% down, whichever amount is less
- Don’t pay with cash, and never let the payments get ahead of the work.
Always make sure you are given a receipt with the updated balance due after each payment is made.
Woodland Car Accident Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Woodland car accident attorney. If you, or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident due to the negligent actions of another party, please contact me at (530) 392-9400 for free, friendly advice. I can also be reached toll-free at (800) 404-5400 when calling outside the 530 region.
I have been helping the Woodland community recover compensation for personal injury and wrongful death claims for 35 years.
I’m a Million Dollar Advocates Forum member. Advocates in this forum are top-rated trial lawyers who have secured verdicts and settlements in excess of 1 Million Dollars for their clients.
See my past verdicts and settlements.
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Founder of www.autoaccident.com, the most informative and up-to-date auto accident and personal injury database in Northern California.
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