Effective April 22, 2010 remodeling work on homes built before 1978 must be performed only by contractors certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Homeowners should assume lead paint is present and only hire certified contractors. Certified remodelers are required to display their EPA-certified certificate to home owners.
Contractors It is a misdemeanor for a person to engage in the business or act in the capacity of a contractor without having a license. This new law increases the penalties for acting as a contractor without a license.
This law makes a first conviction punishable by a fine not exceeding $5,000 or by imprisonment in a county jail for no more than 6 months, as specified, or both. The fine for a 2nd conviction is the greater of 20% of the contract price, 20% of the aggregate payments made to, or at the direction of, the unlicensed contractor, or $5,000. In addition, a 3rd or subsequent conviction is punishable by both a fine and imprisonment in a county jail, as specified, and requires that the fine be no less than $5,000 and no more than the greater of $10,000, 20% of the contract price, or 20% of the aggregate payments made to, or at the direction of, the unlicensed contractor.
A person who used the services of an unlicensed contractor is a victim of crime and eligible for restitution for economic losses, regardless of whether that person had knowledge that the contractor was unlicensed.
Amends Sections 7028 and 7028.16 of the CA Business and Professions Code.
Who must be licensed as a contractor? All businesses or individuals who construct or alter any building, highway, road, parking facility or other structure in CA must be licensed by the Contractor's State License Board if the total cost including labor and materials is $500 or more.