Investigators posed as homeowners and invited suspected unlicensed contractors to bid on projects such as landscaping, kitchen remodeling and painting.

Two of those arrested are registered sex offenders and six of the arrested are on probation or had previously been on probation.

Officials advise homeowners to carefully check a contractor’s license with the state board prior to hiring. Licensing information can be checked at the state licensing board’s automated phone service at 1-800-321-CSLB (2752) or online at www.cslb.ca.gov

Penalties for contracting without a license include fines and even jail time.

Officials also advise that licensed home improvement contractors can only charge a down payment of up to $1,000 or 10 percent of a job cost, whichever is less. Additionally, once a project has started, licensed contractors cannot demand payment for work that hasn’t been done.

The Contractors State License Board investigates more than 20,000 complaints against contractors annually.

Source: Santa Maria Times