A two-day crackdown on unlicensed contractors operating in the Fresno area netted 27 citations, most of them for doing contracting work without a license, officials said Thursday.
The Contractors State License Board joined forces with the Fresno County District Attorney's Office in the sting operation. They set up in a home near Woodward Park in north Fresno, where they solicited bids from suspected unlicensed contractors on projects including landscaping, fencing and concrete.
If a bid exceeds $500 for materials and labor, a contractor must be licensed by the state board. Of those cited, 25 were unlicensed, and two did not have required workers' compensation insurance.
John Savrnoch, chief assistant district attorney in Fresno County, said licenses are important because it gives homeowners legal recourse for shoddy work or if they are ripped off. It can also give them peace of mind.
"You don't know who you are inviting into your home or if they have a criminal record," Savrnoch said.
Having workers' compensation insurance is important because homeowners could possibly be liable if there is an injury on the job and the contractor isn't insured.
Jeff Miller, a senior investigator with the state licensing board, said stings are conducted weekly around the state. Fresno was chosen because of complaints.
Suspected unlicensed contractors were found via Craigslist, local newspapers, homeowner complaints and from District Attorney's Office leads.
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