When you need work done on your roof, make sure that any contractor you hire is a licensed roofing contractor with the California Contractors State License Board or CSLB. Hiring a licensed contractor provides you with benefits and protections you will not receive if you hire an individual or company that is not licensed with the CSLB.
#1 A Licensed Contractor Will Never Ask You for Illegal Payments
I In the state of California, all home construction contractors are only allowed to request a down payment up to $1,000 or 10 percent of the total contract before they start working on a job for you. Whichever number is less is the number they are allowed to ask you for.
For example, if your contract is only $800, a contractor can only ask you for $80 before they complete the work. If your contract is for $10,000, they can ask you for $1,000 down payment. If the job is larger than $10,000, they can only ask you for a down payment of $1,000 since the law defaults to whichever option is less.
You should never be asked to pay more than the amounts listed above before a contractor starts a job for you. When a contractor asks you for more than the legal down payment, they are not following the CSLB’s licensing requirements.
You should never have to pay for supplies until they are sitting on your property or work until it is completed. With a large job, you may make payment arrangements with the contractor as the supplies are delivered and work is completed. However, you should not be asked to pay for work that hasn't been done or supplies that have not been purchased and delivered to your property.
#2 A License Contractor Is Responsible for Paying Subcontractors
Many contractors work with subcontractors to get work done. Subcontractors are contractors that are hired by your contractor or company that you are working with to complete work for them. Many contractors use subcontractors to complete work on jobs.
When you hire a licensed CSLB contractor to replace your roof, they are responsible for paying any subcontractors who perform work on your home. When you hire a non-licensed contractor to do work on your roof, and they hire subcontractors, you become responsible for their payment.
If the non-licensed contractor you hired doesn't pay the subcontractors these workers can sue you for payment and even put a lien on your home if necessary to secure payment from you, regardless of what you paid the non-licensed contractor.
Working with a licensed contractor protects you from any payment issues with subcontractors.
#3 A Licensed Contractor Carries Insurance
Next, when you hire a contractor licensed by the CSLB, they are required to carry their own insurance. If a worker were to get injured while working on your roof, their insurance would cover the cost of the worker's injuries and lost wages.
When you work with a non-licensed contractor, if a worker is injured while working on your roof, problems could occur as the injured worker can bring a personal injury lawsuit against you. The liability insurance that licensed contractors carry will protect you, the contractor and any workers from a lawsuit.
Additionally, a licensed contractor carries insurance should they damage your home. If they cause additional damage to your home, they will pay for the damage to your home. With an unlicensed contractor, you don’t have that guarantee.
In other words, working with a licensed professional on any home construction project protects your best interests, when you need your roof repaired or replaced consider working with the friendly team at Econo Roofing.
