need advice regarding contractors and permits

[Speedy]

BTW, anybody with a kitchen that neat has more serious issues than not pulling a permit.

davemchine wrote:

[Forrest]

I generally agree with Davester. Pay the unlicensed contractor for the work he completed, and get a licensed contractor to pull the permits and finish the job. I think it's less expensive to get this fixed midstream, rather than pull out the ceiling and start over.

[3d]

Getting a permit to replace a lighting fixture in your home using existing wiring is laughable. Yes, on the books, "officially*, this may be the case but that's just insane to actually pull a permit for that. In davemchine's case he is having NEW lights put in. So that's a different story. But to get a permit to change out an existing bathroom vanity light? Come on.

[rgG]

Be sure to update us, on how it goes.

[davester]

3d wrote:
Getting a permit to replace a lighting fixture in your home using existing wiring is laughable. Yes, on the books, "officially*, this may be the case but that's just insane to actually pull a permit for that. In davemchine's case he is having NEW lights put in. So that's a different story. But to get a permit to change out an existing bathroom vanity light? Come on.

That isn't what we're talking about here.

[3d]

davester wrote:
[quote=3d]
Getting a permit to replace a lighting fixture in your home using existing wiring is laughable. Yes, on the books, "officially*, this may be the case but that's just insane to actually pull a permit for that. In davemchine's case he is having NEW lights put in. So that's a different story. But to get a permit to change out an existing bathroom vanity light? Come on.

That isn't what we're talking about here.
Correct, i addressed that.
"In davemchine's case he is having NEW lights put in. So that's a different story."

There are at least four other people on this thread who have digressed as well. You gonna call them out on it too? Relax.

[davemchine]

Inspector was rescheduled for tomorrow so there was time to close up the ceiling and mud it. Work will progress later in an appropriate manner. Thanks for all the advice. Will post picture when done.

[N-OS X-tasy!]

Speedy wrote:
The bad thing is that contractor can still lien your property and sue you for the full contracted amount.

No, he can't (in CA, at least). CA law states that a client has no legal obligation to pay a contractor who performs work for which he is not licensed.

From the "Ask The Lawyer" column in the local newspaper:

A contractor is defined under California Business & Professions Code Section 7026 as anyone who "submits a bid to, or does himself or herself or by or through others, construct, alter, repair, add to, subtract from, improve, move, wreck or demolish any building ... or other structure." Under Section 7031, an unlicensed contractor cannot sue to collect compensation for the performance of any act or contract where a license is required, regardless of the merits of the lawsuit. Let me emphasize the phrase "regardless of the merits."

In fact, you could bring a lawsuit against him to recover any money you have already paid for the performance of any act or contract for which a license is required. It is a misdemeanor for any person to engage in the capacity of a contractor in this state without having a valid contractor's license. Thus, I do not believe you are stuck paying if indeed he is not licensed. Instead, you can report him to the Contractors State License Board, if not local law enforcement.

http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_22671...payment-by