BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Kern County District Attorney’s Office and Contractors State License Board partnered for an undercover operation and found 12 people who were allegedly contracting without a license.
Officials said the undercover sting happened at a home on Aug. 14 and 15 in the Bakersfield area. The 12 people were issued a Notice to Appear in criminal court.
The alleged contractors without a license submitted bids as high as $5,000 for jobs that included electrical work, flooring, landscaping and painting.
According to state law, any contractor who advertises or contracts construction work valued at more than $500 must be licensed. The contractors also allegedly advertised their services without stating they were unlicensed.
Six of the 12 were issued Stop Order precluding performing work because they did not have the the required works’ compensation insurance. Two of them requested an excessive down payment.
Unlicensed contractors can face legal consequences that include fines and misdemeanor charges that could put them in jail for up to six months. Repeat offenders can get a mandatory 90-day jail sentence a fine of $5,000 or 20% of the contract price, officials said.
Homeowners can check licenses online at this tool from the California State License Board.