If the work fails to meet legal standards, you may face fines.

The Risks & Real Costs of Working with An Imposter

• The risks of hiring an unlicensed contractor or imposter are considerable for homeowners:
• You could be held liable if an unlicensed contractor or a member of his crew is injured on your property. 
• You may be required to pay for needed corrective work to restore your home to liveability.

If you want protection from financial responsibility for accidents or property damage during your remodel project, know that an actively licensed contractor is required to carry liability and workers compensation insurance. When embarking on a remodel, be safe, rather than sorry – hire only an actively licensed contractor! Find your contractor and their licensing details by visiting the Department of Consumer Affairs Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB) or by clicking here.

Regrettably, imposters do create a bad name for actively licensed contractors. How?

• By providing lower construction bids that eliminate actively licensed contractors from homeowner consideration
• By delivering substandard construction
• By failing to meet building code
• By abandoning the project prior to completion

Imposters not only harm actively licensed contractors, but they can seriously damage unsuspecting and uninformed homeowners, which is why this blog is being provided: to help ensure you do NOT get scammed or burned by an imposter posing as a licensed contractor.

Although this may seem surprising, it is not uncommon for imposters to openly advertise and market their construction services to local homeowners as “remodeling experts.” Unfortunately, anyone can claim to be an expert, yet lack the necessary expertise and active contractor’s license. 

It may surprise you to know that anyone can make the claim of being a “licensed” contractor or “remodeling expert.” In fact, some imposters persist in claiming they’re “licensed” simply because they paid for a local business license. 

While a business license is needed by any organization that plans to operate within a city or county jurisdiction, fundamentally, that business license is an annual tax. Merely having a local business license is NOT indicative of any kind of construction competency. And, it’s certainly NOT legal evidence of an active license awarded to a competent general contractor. Possession of a business license does NOTHING to ensure you have an actively licensed contractor correctly suited to your particular remodel project. This is especially true if you plan to make any key changes to your home that will require a building permit. Only an actively licensed general contractor may pull a permit for your project.

So, in conclusion, do your best to beware of the many imposters, and to only trust your next remodel project to an actively licensed contractor whose license number you can verify by visiting the CSLB. 

This blog is part 3 of an important 10 part series that encourages homeowners to “Beware of Imposters.” This special blog series is focused on helping California homeowners identify and avoid unlicensed contractors, who we refer to as “imposters.” 

When you are ready to remodel, call Ed Neir Construction (license #: 928715) at (707) 999-5878 for a free estimate, or visit www.EdNeirConstruction.com for more details.

Ed Neir, General Contractor
License #: 928715