Protect yourself from unscrupulous or unlicensed contractors. The Contractors State License Board operates under the umbrella of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. The CSLB licenses and regulates California's 310,000 contractors, and investigates more than 21,500 complaints against contractors annually. In fiscal year 2005-06, the CSLB helped consumers get more than $44.8 million in restitution.

 General Advice:

• There are scam artists posing as contractors who will take advantage of homeowners who are caught off guard.
• Deal only with licensed contractors.
• Any contractor performing $500 worth of work or more (including materials and labor) must be licensed by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) to work in California.
• Don't rush into repairs, no matter how badly they may be needed.
• Don't hire the first contractor who comes along.
• Ask to see the contractor's "Pocket License" or their representative's "Home Improvement Sales Registration." All contractors are issued pocket licenses that show the type of trade for which they are licensed and the expiration date of the license. Ask to see some additional form of identification so you can confirm their identity.
• Contact the Contractors State License Board to verify the information provided by the bidding contractor by clicking on the icon above, logging onto the internet at www.cslb.ca.gov or by calling 800.321.2752. Be prepared with the contractor's name, license number and business address.
• Get at least three bids and ask for references on work the contractor has completed in the local area.

Financial Information:

• Don't pay cash
• Don't let the payments get ahead of the work completed, and don't pay the full cost of the job up front.
• Contractors cannot ask for a deposit of more than 10% of the total cost of the job or $1,000, whichever is less - unless the contractor provides a bond, approved bond equivalent, or approved joint control ensuring completion of your contract. Any such bond is in addition to the bond required of all contractors for licensure. (This goes for any home improvement project including swimming pools.)
• Make sure you have a written contract and don't sign it until you fully understand the terms.
• Homeowners waive their three-day right to cancel if they sign a "Service and Repair Contract" which is different from a standard "Home Improvement Contract." (Service and Repair contracts are usually for emergency repairs and the consumer initiated the contract and cannot wait.)

Check Out Their License

• CSLB provides information about a contractor's license, bond status, and workers' compensation as well as pending and prior legal actions. If you want information about a contractor's license status, please click on the icon above, log onto the internet at www.cslb.ca.gov or call 800.321.2752.