Buying or selling a house in California, don't let these home improvement mistakes happen to you. - Jones Home Collective

So you have decided to put your home on the market, time to spruce it up. or are you purchasing a home that needs some upgrades. Checking out contractors before allowing them in and around your home and family has never been more important.

While searching on the California State Licensing board website I discovered a recent sting operation in Simi Valley, California. The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) held an undercover sting operation in Simi Valley on October 15 and 16, 2014, two of the 10 phony contractors previously had been arrested by CSLB on illegal contracting charges and another was in possession of drugs and related paraphernalia. (full article here)

Did you know ? There is a $500 threshold for combined labor and or materials cost before a contractors license is required. The Business and Professions code 7053 does allow a home owner to perform the work with limitations as noted below. Homeowners that opt to take on projects themselves are still required to adhere to building code and other requirements.

1. (c) A homeowner improving his or her principal place of residence
   or appurtenances thereto, provided that all of the following
   conditions exist:
      (1) The work is performed prior to sale.
      (2) The homeowner has actually resided in the residence for the 12
   months prior to completion of the work.
      (3) The homeowner has not availed himself or herself of the
   exemption in this subdivision on more than two structures more than
   once during any three-year period.

Why this is important ? I attended a presentation recently where the speaker was an insurance rep who spoke about a recent claim. The home owner had recently purchased his home and had started a remodel. A fire occurred in the home. The claim was denied because the work was performed was over the $500 limit and performed by an unlicensed handyman.

“We consistently catch people at these weekly statewide stings who are unqualified to do the work and have problems with the law,” . “All it takes is a few minutes to check the status of a contractor on CSLB’s website or by calling the toll-free number to be sure the person has a license in good standing.”

Check A Contractors License

As always we are here to help. We have a list of qualified contractors for our buyers and sellers needs.

“Well Take You Home”