Board Sheds Light on Hidden Home Hazards
Sacramento, Calif.-- (Business Wire) -- What dangers lurk in the hearth of California homes? Or in the bathtub, down the stairs, or behind electrical outlets? During National Consumer Protection Week, Feb. 14-20, 2000, the Contractors State License Board reminds consumers to reduce home repair hazards by using only licensed contractors for all home repair and remodeling projects. "Some unlicensed contractors hide the fact that they are not licensed nor are they qualified to work on your home project. This can contribute to a job done poorly or dangerously. Shed some light on a contractor's qualifications by first asking to see the contractor's license, then checking it with the Board," said Contractors State License Board Registrar Dr. C. Lance Barnett. To become licensed, a contractor must pass a two-part examination, verify four years of journey-level experience and secure a license bond. Any contractor performing a job totalling $500 or more, including labor and materials, must hold a license from the CSLB. Below are a few of the hidden home hazards of which California consumers should be aware: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that old and improperly maintained residential electrical wiring contributes to more than 40,000 house fires per year, resulting in more than 350 deaths and $2 billion in personal property damage. Electric cords and plugs are the cause of another 7,100 fires annually, and approximately 3,600 people are treated for injuries associated with extension cords each year. The Contractors State License Board urges all consumers to hire licensed electrical contractors for any electrical jobs to be done around the house. Exposure to carbon monoxide, a colorless and tasteless gas, contributes to 3,500 deaths in the United States each year, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Exposure to the poisonous gas produces symptoms that are similar to flu and allergies, including headache, nausea, fatigue and dizziness. Hire CSLB-licensed heating, ventilating and air conditioning contractors to perform work on furnaces, air conditioners and ventilating systems. Licensed plumbing contractors can install scald-proof faucets and spouts for sinks, showers or bathtubs. Licensed general building contractors are licensed to perform a variety of remodeling and repair work, usually jobs that involve a variety of tasks. For a complete list of the different types of building contractors, please visit the CSLB web site at www.cslb.ca.gov. The Contractors State License Board, which operates under the umbrella of the California Department of Consumer Affairs, licenses and regulates the state's 275,000 licensed contractors and investigates the 26,000 complaints received annually. To receive more information about hiring a building contractor or to verify a license, visit the CSLB web site at www.cslb.ca.gov and order the free "Get Information to Build On," kit or call toll-free at 800/321-CSLB. Facts to Build On Ten tips to make sure your contractor measures up: - Hire only licensed contractors.
- Check the contractor's license number by calling 800/321-2752 or looking up the CSLB Web site at www.cslb.ca.gov.
- Get three references, and review past work.
- Get at least three bids.
- Get a written contract and do not sign anything until you completely understand the terms.
- Pay 10% down or $1,000, whichever is less.
- Don't let payments get ahead of work. Keep records of payments.
- Don't make final payment until you're satisfied with the job.
- Don't pay cash.
- Keep a job file of all papers relating to your project.
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