Undercover sting catches suspected unlicensed contractors in Stanislaus County
Several contractors from across the county were cited on suspicion of soliciting unlicensed work as a result of a sting operation conducted by the Contractors State License Board in collaboration with the Stanislaus District Attorney’s Office earlier this month.
The operation cited five individuals from Modesto, two from Oakdale and one from Ceres for allegedly engaging in “unlicensed contracting activities” for services such as painting, flooring, landscaping, fencing and cabinet work, according to a release form CSLB.
The undercover sting, which took place Oct. 11-12, was prompted after several complaints from residents of the greater Modesto area who said they were overcharged for work — a common red flag, according to Katherine White, public information officer for the CSLB.
White would not elaborate on the details of the sting, so as not to alert other suspected unlicensed contractors, but did say investigators used social media for leads.
Individuals caught up in the sting were alleged to have submitted contracts ranging from $750 for painting to $16,000 for cabinet upgrades. A California contractor’s license is “mandatory for bidding or contracting construction work exceeding $500 in value,” according to the release.
“CSLB is committed to protecting homeowners from the risks associated with unlicensed contractors,” read a statement from CSLB Registrar David Fogt. “Our dedication encompasses ongoing consumer education on the importance of hiring licensed contractors. We strongly encourage homeowners in California to verify a contractor’s license before initiating any construction project.”
The suspects apprehended in the sting operation were issued notices to appear in court and could face fines of up to $15,000 and/or jail time. Soliciting or conducting unlicensed contract work is considered a misdemeanor in California.
How to prevent being overcharged or paying for unlicensed work
In addition to a contractor’s license being required for work costing over $500, contractors may request no more than 10% of the project cost or $1,000, whichever is lower, upfront, according to the CSLB. Several of the individuals cited in the sting were alleged to have demanded down payments that exceeded these limits.
White said “red flags” to look out for when seeking out work include a lack of proof of license or an excessive down payment.
“The main thing is just making sure you hire a licensed contractor in the first place, and that means you’re doing your homework, making sure that you’re getting bids from multiple contractors in the field that you’re seeking to get the work done,” said White.
White also suggested that even if you are working with a licensed contractor, you should make sure the down payment does not exceed the legal parameters set for the contracted work.
“You always want to do your homework before hiring a contractor, you don’t want to just go off someone you might find on social media. You want to make sure you’re doing real research before hiring,” said White.
CSLB advises the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected unlicensed contracting activities. For further information or to report suspected unlicensed contractor activities, please visit the CSLB website at www.cslb.ca.gov or contact CSLB toll-free at 1-800-321-CSLB (2752). For ongoing information and updates from CSLB, you can find them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
