The suspects were taken into custody yesterday during an undercover investigation conducted by the Contractors State License Board and the Los Angeles County Sheriff?EUR??,,????'???s Department, said Pamela Mares f the CSLB.

?EUR??,,????'??The CSLB is serious about going after people who break the law and put consumers in danger,?EUR??,,????'?? said Steve Sands of the CSLB.

?EUR??,,????'??Homeowners need to know the huge risk they?EUR??,,????'???re taking when they let these phony contractors into their home or when they hire them,?EUR??,,????'?? Sands said.

The sting was conducted at a house in Montrose where suspected unlicensed contractors were invited to bid on various home-improvement jobs, including landscaping, painting, concrete work and sprinkler installation.

When their bids exceeded $500 for both labor and materials?EUR??,,????'??+the threshold at which a state license is required?EUR??,,????'??+the unlicensed contractors were arrested, Mares said.

Two suspects were wanted on arrest warrants and were jailed. The other 17 arrestees were released after being given notices to appear before a judge to face misdemeanor charges of contracting without a license, Mares said.

A first-time conviction for the offense calls for a maximum of six months in jail and/o up to $1,000 in fines.