Don’t Be Fooled by Shoddy Contractors

For Immediate Release:
November 7, 2008

For More Information:
Charlotte R. Perham
(800)533-7694
perham@naphcc.org

Following the apprehension of more than two dozen unlicensed contractors in Southern California in an undercover sting, members of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association are reminding consumers how important it is to hire a professional contractors, instead of untrained handymen, for home improvement projects. 

Interviewed by NBC’s Channel 4 in Los Angeles, PHCC Greater Los Angeles Chapter President Joe Eisen, a licensed plumber, said unlicensed contractors do shoddy work.  "Because they have a lower overhead, they charge lower rates," Eisen said. "They do lower-quality work, too, but the customer doesn't know that until it's too late."
He also said that shoddy work can be deadly. "There are rules," he said, "and if they don't follow the rules, if they install a hot water-heater incorrectly, for example, a house could explode."

The PHCC chapter assisted with the sting by providing tips to the California State Licensing Board (CSLB).  Members of CSLB’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) posed as homeowners at the sting house and invited suspected unlicensed operators to bid on a number of home improvement projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, fencing, new windows, new doors and a bathroom remodel. When the suspects bid more than $500 for a job, they were arrested.

"Many homeowners don’t realize the risk they take when they hire an unlicensed operator," said CSLB Registrar Steve Sands. "They think they’re going to get a good deal, but usually end up paying twice for a job when they have to hire a professional to fix the problems the unlicensed operator left behind."
Besides the possibility of having to spend more money to fix a problem, homeowners also face other risks, including a lack of workers’ compensation or liability insurance.  This means that if a worker gets hurt on the job, the homeowner may have to pay their medical bills.  And if something goes wrong on the job, there is little recourse for the homeowner.   

To hire a professional contractor you can trust, check out the tips provided by PHCC.  For a full account of the California sting, click here.