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By Bay City News Service
As a large storm tapers out after downing trees, flooding roadways, and opening sinkholes throughout the Bay Area, the Contractors State License Board is reminding residents to use only licensed contractors when doing storm repairs.
“Anyone who needs to make repairs from store damage should be looking for a legitimate, qualified tradesperson — especially in an urgent situation,” license board Registrar Steve Sands said in a statement.
License board officials said any construction job valued at $500 or more in combined labor and material costs must be performed by a state-licensed contractor.
The California Business and Professions Code requires licensees to carry workers’ compensation insurance coverage for their employees and to be bonded, according to the license board.
Tree-trimmers working on trees 15 feet or higher have to be licensed, and state law requires all C-39 Roofing contractors to carry workers’ compensation insurance, even if they don’t have employees, said license board officials.
“Licensed contractors are skilled in their specific trade, insured and bonded, and not likely to leave you in the lurch when it comes to properly completing the job at a fair price,” Sands said.
Consumers can use the license board’s online resources to find a licensed contractor by visiting checkthelicensefirst.com.
Residents can also call a toll-free automated line at (800) 321-2752 (CSLB).
If you hire someone who does not have work comp insurance, you can be sued when he or she is injured on your property. If the worker was not even legally entitled to work in the United States, your homeowners’ insurance may not cover the claim.