Possibly, when you started working as a contractor, you just wanted to make the ends meet. But as you kept at it, you gained a reputation for quality. The demand for your work grew, and you realized you could expand. Hiring other people could allow you to take on larger and more lucrative work—but if you don’t fill out all the licensing paperwork along the way, you might be putting your license at risk.
This might be the situation in which nine different California contractors now find themselves after they got caught in an undercover sting run by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB).
A strict reminder to grow your business legally
According to a report by 23ABC News, a CSLB team of investigators posed as Bakersfield homeowners and had contractors bid for work. Nine of the contractors failed to show proof of workers’ comp insurance, and one of them was operating with an expired license. These contractors are now facing possible misdemeanor and felony charges, as well as the potential suspension or revocation of their licenses.
Eighteen more contractors reportedly violated state contracting law by placing bids well above the $500 cap on jobs for unlicensed contractors.
Your license is your job
The Bakersfield sting serves as a powerful reminder to stay on top of all your paperwork. While you almost certainly didn’t start working as a contractor to deal with licensing, your license has since become a critical part of your business. You don’t want to want to find yourself starting at a $500 cap per job because you missed or forgot any forms or policies.
However, if you do find yourself in a position where your license may be suspended or revoked, a good lawyer might be able to help you defend it. You worked hard to build your contracting business up from the ground, and you want to do everything you can to keep it standing safe and strong.
