If you are a contractor or general contractor in the state of California and are currently facing a formal complaint or accusation, your license could be at risk. In some cases, criminal charges could ultimately be filed as well. This is no time to wait but to act. Calling an experienced license defense lawyer as early as possible will maximize the chances of obtaining a favorable outcome to your case.
At California License Attorney, we have many years of experience in defending contractor and general contractor licenses against the full spectrum of possible allegations. We understand how to talk to and, when necessary, negotiate with the Contractors State License Board of California in a way that is in your best interests.
For a free consultation, do not hesitate contact us anytime 24/7 at 888-959-0068. We will help you better understand the administrative process and immediately begin building a solid defense strategy for your case.
The Valuable Services Rendered by California Contractors
There are over 300,000 licensed construction contractors in the state of California, and without them, buildings, bridges, highways, playgrounds, and more all across the state would either not exist or be in serious disrepair. The work you render your clients and the general public as a construction contractor is truly indispensable.
In California, there are three classes of contractor licenses:
- Class A, for General Engineering Contractors. These contractors deal in excavation, paving, grading, irrigation, and similar areas of work.
- Class B, for General Building Contractors, is the license type held by those who build or remodel both commercial and residential properties. These contractors are skilled to handle an entire project on their own or supervises others who tackle the various tasks.
- Class C is for specialty contractors of numerous descriptions, including for HVAC work, electrical work, drywall installation, fencing, masonry, roofing, plumbing, welding, and more.
Regardless of the exact type of contractor license you hold and the type of construction work you provide, your work automatically involves you in situations that could easily lead to a formal complaint being filed against you with the Contractors State License Board. And any such complaint could threaten your license and your whole career.
At California License Attorney, we have successfully defended numerous California contractors' licenses against all manner of accusations. We can do the same for you. We can build you a solid defense and win the best possible outcome for your case.
The Mission of the Contractors State License Board of California
Established in 1929, the Contractors State License Board of California has for decades been restricting licensing for all major construction projects (those valued at $500 or more) in order to assure only qualified contractors are serving the general public.
Their mission is not to help contractors or even basically to protect or expand the industry but to protect people from suffering financial and/or physical harm due to unsafe construction practices or breaking of contractual agreements.
And while this mission is noble enough in principle, it can also lead to innocent parties being chased by the board or subjected to undeserved or greatly exaggerated disciplinary measures.
We at California License Attorney are here to balance the scales and ensure you are not "gobbled up by the system." We are on your side, and we will apply our intricate knowledge of the laws, regulations, and procedural requirements involved in the process in order to give you the advantage over the prosecution.
Common complaints that are filed with the Contractors State License Board include the following:
- Contractual disputes, alleged breach of contract.
- Unlawfully taking deposits.
- Not measuring up to the trade standards in your work.
- Hiring unlicensed workers.
- Drug/alcohol abuse, especially committed while on the job site.
- Various forms of fraud, especially real estate fraud or insurance fraud.
- Having criminal conviction on your record that "substantially" affect your duties or qualifications as a licensed contractor.
- Already being under investigation by the licensing board of another state.
In response to these and other allegations, the board will begin an investigation and a process to attempt to resolve any disputes. Possible final outcomes to this process include:
- Complaint dismissed as unsubstantiated, lacking adequate evidence, or outside the board's jurisdiction.
- Complaint resolved by the two parties coming to a mutually acceptable agreement.
- A warning letter is issued or a citation, either of which are reserved for relatively minor issues, unless a fine accompanying the citation is extremely large.
- A formal accusation is filed, which can then lead to a suspension or revocation of your contractor's license. A suspension is for a specified period of time, while a revocation is indefinite in duration.
- Criminal charges are filed against you based on the matter contained in the complaint.
At California License Attorney, we recognize that your license and professional reputation are indispensable to your career and livelihood. We can handle communications with the board for you and communicate you every step of the way as needed. It is unwise for you to deal directly with the board of its investigators without first consulting with an experienced license defense lawyer. Do not risk incriminating yourself or needlessly limiting your defense options by "going it alone."
Even a citation is well worth fighting, not only because of the fine attached to it, but especially because it will be on your public record. And if you ignore a fine, after 90 days, it will lead to license revocation. We can defend your license for you while you continue to go about your contractor duties and make sure you aren't "surprised" by unknown board "rules" or actions.
Negotiating a Resolution
In many cases, there will be an arbitration process (sometimes mandatory, sometimes voluntary) to attempt to resolve a dispute without any board disciplinary actions or criminal charges. This is always the better way, but if the complainant will not cooperate, we have the legal know-how to challenge and defeat the complaint in many instances or to, at the least, secure a lesser form of discipline that lets you keep your contractor's license and continue your career.
An investigation by the board can begin up to 4 years after an incident or up to 10 years later for certain structural defect issues. The complaints can come from a variety of sources, including clients, partners, and government agencies.
Once the complaint is filed, you will be served notice of it by the board, and both parties will be given a means of contacting each other and urged to find a resolution, often with a board Consumer Services Representative assisting.
It is always simpler, faster, and less expensive to resolve the matter early. If the first attempt fails, however, the matter may go to arbitration or be further investigated by the board's enforcement unit. Mandatory arbitration is often applicable to financial matters of $12,500 or less, while voluntary arbitration may apply for higher amounts. Throughout the process, you may need to provide additional information to the board and be interviewed by a board representative seeking to resolve the matter by mutual consent.
At some point, you may face an administrative hearing if the matter cannot be resolved via negotiation. We can effectively present exculpatory and mitigating evidence in your favor at the hearing to help you avoid license suspension or revocation.
If your license has already been revoked, we can also help you apply to get it reinstated, though there is a wait period of 1 to 5 years, depending on the nature of the prior offense.
From beginning to end, we will negotiate in your behalf for the most favorable outcome possible. We understand how to resolve these matters and how to fight for a dismissal if you cannot avoid an administrative hearing. We also know how to negotiate at the hearing for lesser forms of discipline than losing your license.
Contact Us Today for Assistance
At California License Attorney, we stand ready to rush to your assistance at a moment's notice with top-tier license defense for California contractors and general contractors. We understand how intimidating and confusing the administrative and legal processes can be to the uninitiated and will take the time to explain the process and calm your fears.
Our team of expert license defense attorneys have successfully defended other contractor's licenses against all manner of formal accusations in the past, and we can do the same for you.
To learn more or to avail yourself of a free, no-obligation consultation, call us anytime 24/7/365 at 888-959-0068.
