Sacramento County Undercover Construction Sting Catches Unlicensed Contractors Contractors State License Board warns consumers about the dangers of hiring unlicensed contractors SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Construction is thriving in Sacramento County and unlicensed contracting is a real threat to consumer safety. A recent Contractors State License Board (CSLB) sting in the city of Elk Grove found unlicensed activity that included a contractor who provided a $60,000 bid for a kitchen remodeling project. By law, a contractors license is required in California for construction jobs over $500. “Consumers need to protect themselves by hiring a licensed contractor, especially when taking on a project like a remodel that may costs tens of thousands of dollars,” says CSLB Registrar David Fogt. “Just because someone is asking for a lot of money doesn’t mean they have the skills or ability to satisfactorily perform the work.” The September 21 and 22 enforcement operation was conducted with representatives from the California Department of Insurance and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office. The operation focused on the Elk Grove area just east of Interstate 5. CSLB’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team (SWIFT) members posed as residential homeowners and contacted suspected unlicensed contractors through their advertisements to perform concrete, flooring, landscaping, remodeling and painting work. Fifteen people were issued Notice to Appear in criminal court citations for unlicensed contracting violations. Three of the unlicensed persons were also cited for requiring excessive down payments. CSLB-licensed contractors have met experience and testing requirements, carry a license bond, passed a criminal background check and carry workers’ compensation insurance for employees. All suspects were ordered to appear at the Sacramento County Superior Criminal Courthouse, on December 21 and 22, 2021.