The City of Downey enforces the guidelines mandated by the Contractor State License Board (CSLB). The CSLB website has a lot of information to answer questions you may have when you're looking to have work done on your property.

What You Should Know Before You Hire a Contractor

• Read all sections under Hire a Contractor on this website.
• Read the CSLB publication What You Should Know Before You Hire a Contractor or call CSLB toll-free at (800) 321-CSLB (2752) to have one mailed to you.
• Take your time before you make a decision about hiring a contractor.
• Get at least three bids and check references.
• Hire only licensed contractors. Anyone performing home improvement work valued at $500 or more must be licensed by the Contractors State License Board.
• Get the contractor's license number and verify license status on-line or by calling (800) 321-CSLB (2752).

What You Should Know About the Contract

• Get your contract in writing and don't sign anything until you understand the terms.
• Required in your contract: a specific description of work to be done, materials to be used, total cost of the project, and start and completion dates.
• Ask a friend, relative, or legal representative to review the contract before you sign it.

What You Should Know About Unscrupulous Contractor Scams . . .

• Door-to-Door Solicitations
  A solicitor offers to do roofing, painting or paving work at a reduced price. Once payment is made, little or no work is done and the project is abandoned.

• High Pressure Sales
  An unscrupulous contractor pushes for an immediate decision about work, which makes it impossible for the homeowner to get competitive bids, check licenses or review references.

• Scare Tactics
  A deceitful contractor offers to perform a free inspection, then claims that faulty wiring, bad plumbing, or a leaky roof put the homeowner in peril. The alarmed homeowner agrees to unnecessary and over-priced work.

• Demand for Cash
  A contractor demands cash payments, sometimes going so far as to drive the victim to the bank to withdraw funds. With money in hand, the unscrupulous operator takes the money and runs.

• Illegally Large Down Payments
  A dishonest contractor takes more for a down payment than is allowed by law, claiming to need instant cash for supplies and to pay workers. By law, a down payment cannot exceed 10 percent of the project price or $1,000, whichever is less.

• Verbal Agreements
  A contractor states that a written contract is unnecessary--promising to deliver on the verbal agreement. The shady operator takes advantage of the situation to perform shoddy work--or none at all.

What You Should Know About Payments

• Don't pay cash.
• Include a payment schedule in your written contract.
• Don't pay more than 10 percent of the job or $1,000, whichever is less, as a down payment.
• Don't let payments get ahead of the work.

What You Should Know About the Contractors State License Board

• The CSLB provides information about a contractor's license, bond and workers' compensation insurance status, as well as pending and prior legal actions.
• Free consumer publications and complaint information/forms are available from the CSLB.
• Call (800) 321-CSLB (2752), or write to CSLB, P.O. Box 26000, Sacramento, CA 95826 Wwith any questions or for more information.

What You Should Know Before Beginning A Construction Job As "Owner-Builder"

• www.cslb.ca.gov/Consumers/Know_Risks_Of_Owner_-_Builder/