When you are looking for a good contractor, price should not be your sole consideration. In times of financial downturn, making economical decisions may be necessary, but it should not be at the cost of quality. So before you sign the dotted line, become an informed consumer and avoid being victimized by unscrupulous or unlicensed operators by asking the right questions ahead of time. Most licensed contractors are competent, honest and hardworking, and they won’t mind answering a few questions.
Protect Yourself, Ask the Important Questions
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Does the contractor have a valid and current license with the state contractor board?
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What kind of insurance does the contractor carry?
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How long has the contractor been in business?
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Does the contractor specialize in one area of contracting?
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What kind of warranty does the contractor offer?
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Ask friends and neighbors for personal recommendatios. Satisfied customers are one of the best ways to find local contractors!
What to Avoid – Contractors Who:
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Appear to do the job at an unusually low price
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Only provide a post office box for their business address
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Require full or substantial payment before work begins
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Refuse to provide you with a written estimate or contract
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Refuse to provide you with a state license number
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Refuse to provide you with references
Before You Sign the Dotted Line – Make Sure the Contract Includes:
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A detailed summary of the work to be done
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A description of materials
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The total contract price or how the price will be calculated
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Timelines and provisions that address what will happen if the contractor fails to meet the contractual deadlines
Don’t Let This Happen to You
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Contractor’s State License Board
The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) protects consumers by licensing and regulating California's construction industry. There are more than 310,000 licensed contractors in the state, in 43 different licensing classifications. In addition to educating consumers about contractors and construction law, CSLB activities include administering examinations to test prospective licensees, issuing licenses, investigating complaints against licensed and unlicensed contractors, issuing citations, suspending or revoking licenses, and seeking administrative, criminal, and civil sanctions against violators. In FY 2007/08 CSLB obtained more than $35.2 million in ordered restitution for consumers.
The CSLB's Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) works to eliminate unlicensed contractors working in California. Undercover sting and sweep operations are conducted weekly around the state.
On this Web site you can find educational materials about hiring contractors and the construction process. You can also check the status of a contractor's license, find other important Contractors License Law information and file a complaint.
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
http://www.lni.wa.gov/tradeslicensing/contractors/
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