FRESNO, Calif. (KMPH) -
About a dozen men received notices to appear in court following a sting operation targeting unlicensed contractors in the Central Valley.
Members of the Contractors State License Board went undercover at a home in Northwest Fresno Thursday afternoon. They got bids from unlicensed contractors for work the handymen are not legally allowed to perform.
By law, any project that totals $500 or more for labor and materials has to be done by a licensed contractor.
Agents say homeowners who don't care whether someone is licensed may be inviting a criminal into their home without even knowing it.
"They now know when you're home. They know if you have a family. They know who sleeps in what room. You really have to be careful when you're inviting people into your home," said Linda Ingram, with the Contractors State License Board.
Contracting without a license carries a maximum of six months in jail and/or a fine up to $5,000 for the first offense.
If you'd like to see if your contractor is licensed, click on the following link: http://bit.ly/c09Jvw.
