Unlicensed Marin County contractors cited for illegally high prices

( KRON ) — Several unlicensed contractors were cited for placing illegal bids as high as $15,000 for residential contracting work during a recent one-day sting in Marin County, the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) said.

The one-day sting operation happened in mid-April. CSLB’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) and the Marin and Sonoma County District Attorney’s offices went undercover to catch unlicensed contractors.

Of the 10 individuals cited, five received a notice to appear in criminal court, and five others were referred to the Marin County District Attorney for advertising while unlicensed.

The unlicensed contractors’ bids ranged from $1,600 to as much as $15,000, CSLB said.

According to the CSLB, unlicensed contractors have a $500 charge limit. “In California, contracting without a license [over a $500 bid] is a misdemeanor and punishable by a fine of up to $15,000.”

Unlicensed contractors in the sting operation also asked for “an excessive down payment ahead of starting work,” CSLB said. Any down payment or deposit over 10% of the bid is illegal and could result in a misdemeanor charge of up to $5,000, up to a one-year county jail sentence, “or both,” CSLB said.

"Our primary goal in conducting sting operations is to keep consumers safe from illegal contracting scams, which is why we encourage them to always check a license and get at least three bids on any home improvement project. Another reason is to educate people on how to get a contractor's license. Those who want to learn more about getting licensed should attend one of our virtual licensing workshops offered in both English and Spanish."

David Fogt, CSLB Registrar

CSLB operates under the umbrella of the Department of Consumer Affairs and licenses and regulates about 285,000 contractors in California.

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