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the contractor we hired is not licensed and used someone else license.

CaliforniaMechanics Lien

I hired a contractor to remove and install laminted flooring and open a wall for a door into my restroom. he has been terrible leaving us in chaos and taking 2 months now to complete the job somtimes never showing up . We paid him $8350 already and still owe him about $7000 we fired him when finding out he does not have a license it is not vaild since 2009 . He stated the he was going to be a mechanical lien on us for $8900 for payment of work he did . he still has not finshed any the work leaving are whole house a mess. He then showed us a contractor licesne we looked it up and it was vaild but in another person name. we called the person to see if he knows our contractor. He said he use to hire hime to do jobs but has not seen or heard from in years and has tried to contact him with no response. We told him that he was giving his license for work . The contractor stated he is not allowed to do this and he has not contracted him for any job and will report it to the Licensing board for fraud, I want to know can he still try to collect and put a lien on our home if he has not license. we had to not contract just a email of expense of the cost of the work. I feel very betrayed not only that he would come at late hours to try and work and also smelling like alcohol. too many red flags.

1 reply

Oct 26, 2020

The unlicensed contractor is not entitled to collect anything from you. Business and Professions code section 7031(a) prevents an unlicensed contractor from pursuing money for work that requires a license which was performed without one. Further, Business and Professions code section 7031(b) entitles you to disgorgement of all amounts you paid to the unlicensed contractor for work requiring a license. You might consider bringing a small claims action for disgorgement of the amounts paid. But it may not be worth the time as the contractor is likely difficult to collect from. 

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