Ask the Contractors
Board …
Experts Answer Common Home Improvement Questions
By Bert Sandman, Chair
California Contractors State License Board
Sacramento: Do you have questions about hiring and
managing building contractors? The California Contractors
State License Board (CSLB) has answers. For more
information, or to check out a contractor’s
license, bond and workers’ compensation insurance
information, visit the CSLB Web site at www.cslb.ca.gov.
Q: I am considering hiring a contractor who told
me he is “self-insured” for general
liability insurance. What does that mean, and is
it safe to hire him?
A: If a contractor is “self-insured”
he or she has made a decision to be responsible
for losses normally covered by insurance. Before
hiring, ask yourself, “If something went wrong,
would this contractor be able to cover the costs?”
If the answer is “no”, then find a contractor
with general liability insurance through an established
company. While licensed contractors are not required
to carry general liability insurance, they must
include information in your written contract about
whether or not they carry general liability insurance
and that it will protect against third-party bodily
injury and property damage.
If uninsured, the contractor should be able to explain
how he would cover losses that would ordinarily
be covered by insurance. Because the CSLB recommends
contractors have general liability insurance, most
carry it. But, if your contractor damages your property
and doesn’t carry general liability insurance,
you or your insurance policy could end up paying
for damages. Be sure to visit the CSLB Web site
at www.cslb.ca.gov to check the license of a contractor
before signing any contract.
Q: I have identified asbestos in my home. It’s
an older home, so I am not surprised, but I need
to get it removed. Where do I start?
A: Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber
that has been used extensively in construction and
many other industries. Nearly every building contains
asbestos in some form. It has been widely used because
of its special properties. For example, asbestos
is very resistant to destruction by heat or chemicals,
and its fibers are extremely durable. These characteristics
led to its use in wall insulation; paint; sprayed-
or troweled-on surfacing materials; ceiling and
flooring materials; pipe, boiler, and duct insulations;
cement filler; and a variety of other products.
Because asbestos is a health hazard, it is important
to carefully select a licensed contractor to remove
it. Before choosing a contractor, get bids from
at least three licensed contractors to perform the
job. Request work plans detailing the schedule each
would follow while performing the work. Then, visit
the CSLB website to confirm the contractor has a
certification to remove asbestos. Next, make sure
the contractor has all the appropriate tools, training,
and licensing and certification necessary to comply
with the law and to protect you from unnecessary
exposure to asbestos fibers. Finally, call Cal/OSHA
to make sure the contractor has current registration
as an asbestos abatement contractor. Other important
requirements your asbestos removal contractor should
meet include:
• Copies of notification materials for the
EPA and Cal/OSHA
• Job site log-in sheets
• Monitoring reports for air and personnel
• Accident reports
• Hauling and disposal information and permits
• A final air monitoring report
For more information on asbestos removal, download
your free copy of A Consumer Guide to Asbestos from
the CSLB Web site at www.cslb.ca.gov. This useful
publication outlines information about the specialized
skills and equipment required for the services of
registered and certified asbestos abatement contractor.
Q: I know I am encouraged to verify a contractor’s
license through the CSLB before he starts work on
my home, but I am also interested in finding out
about suspensions or other legal actions taken against
contractors. Are they required to disclose this
information to me, just as they do their license
status?
A: A contractor who has had his or her license suspended
or revoked due to disciplinary action two or more
times within an eight-year period must notify consumers
prior to entering into a home improvement contract
for a residential property. This notice is required
whether or not the revocation or suspension was
stayed. This notice must include information on
any citation, license suspension or license revocation
during the last four years, resulting from any violation
by the contractor or legal action taken against
the contractor. Complaint information about a license
is disclosed after the complaint has been fully
investigated and has been referred for legal action.
Bert Sandman is the Chair of the Contractors State
License Board. The CSLB operates under the umbrella
of the California Department of Consumer Affairs,
licensing and regulating California’s 292,000
contractors. The CSLB investigates 20,000 complaints
against contractors annually. In fiscal year 2004-05,
the CSLB helped consumers get more than $36 million
in restitution.
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