“CSLB undercover stings targeting unlicensed contractors work to protect consumers from financial harm.  Unlicensed contractors have not passed exams and background checks and can cause many problems for those who hire them to do home improvement projects.” – CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

SAN DIEGO COUNTY – On April 13-14, the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) conducted a sting operation targeting unlicensed contractors in San Diego County.  Among the illegal activity uncovered was an unlicensed contractor who provided a $11,245 bid for synthetic grass installation. In California, it is illegal for an unlicensed contractor to perform any work on a project valued at $500 or more in combined labor and material costs.

Fifteen people were cited during the operation in the city of Vista after offering bids for concrete work, tree trimming, interior/exterior painting, and window installations. Among those, 13 were cited for a misdemeanor charge of contracting without a license.

First-conviction penalties include up to six months in jail and/or up to $5,000 in fines. Penalties are more severe with each successive violation. A second conviction carries a mandatory sentence of 90 days in jail.

The undercover sting operation was conducted with deputies from the San Diego Sheriff’s Department. CSLB’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) members posed as homeowners and contacted suspected unlicensed contractors through their advertisements.