Santa Ana Contractor Licensing & CSLB Defense Lawyer

Santa Ana Contractor Licensing & CSLB Defense Attorney

In the California construction industry, your license is your livelihood. If the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is investigating your compliance and you receive a citation, a single violation could jeopardize decades of hard work and successful business. With Engels-Janzen, our Santa Ana contractor licensing & CSLB defense lawyer team has the savvy and aggressive defense upon which your business, reputation, and future depend.

About Engels-Janzen

Attorney Christopher Engels has over 25 years of construction industry experience. Prior to entering the legal field, Chris owned and operated a construction contracting business. This on-the-ground experience allows Chris to understand the pressure and urgency that contractors face, whether they are confronting an administrative agency on regulatory or compliance issues or are in the midst of a dispute with a client or other business.

Partner Sean Janzen is a seasoned civil litigator who has represented clients in state, federal, and appellate courts. The combination of Chris’s and Sean’s experience provides a unique insight into contractor-licensing issues from both the business and litigation standpoints. We serve contractors throughout Santa Ana and Orange County who need representation in CSLB investigations, disciplinary hearings, and licensing disputes.

Understanding Contractor Licensing & CSLB Defense Laws

California contractor licensing law is codified in the Business and Professions Code §§ 7000–7191 and administered by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). The CSLB must license any person or business that performs construction work for $500 or more, including labor and materials.

The Board also enforces the law by investigating consumer complaints and violations of advertising and contract law. It has the authority to suspend or revoke a contractor’s license for legal violations. The CSLB has thousands of enforcement actions each year.

According to the CSLB 2024 Accomplishments and Activities Report, there are approximately 285,000 licensed contractors statewide. There were over 23 million license checks that occurred on the website that year, and 38,200 CSLB license applications were received.

These figures just begin to demonstrate how active CSLB enforcement is and how even honest contractors can fall prey to regulatory action. A Santa Ana contractor licensing & CSLB defense attorney helps contractors through the system in order to prevent misunderstandings and paperwork errors from destroying a hard-earned career.

Common CSLB Licensing Violations and Contractor Licensing Cases

Due to miscommunications, client conflicts, or administrative errors, even careful contractors may become involved in contractor licensing cases. The most common infractions that result in CSLB action are listed below:

• Contracting without a license. One of the most serious CSLB violations is working outside of your classification or without a valid license. Repeat offenders may be subject to jail time, fines of up to $5,000, and misdemeanor charges.
• Inappropriate agreements. Contracts for home improvements must include certain disclosures required by California law, such as start and completion dates, payment schedules, and cancellation notices. Inaccurate or missing terms are against California law and can result in citations.
• Not keeping up with bonds or insurance. Contractors are required to keep up-to-date contractor’s bonds and workers’ compensation insurance if they employ people. Even short-term infractions can result in automatic suspension until they are corrected.
• Abandoning a project or performing subpar work. Customers frequently complain about incomplete projects or faulty work. The CSLB has the authority to cancel a license or order restitution after verification.
• Fraud. Knowingly providing false information in contracts, bids, or advertisements could be regarded as fraud and result in criminal charges or the permanent suspension of a license.
• Advertising illegally. It is illegal to advertise contracting services without providing a current license number. Enforcement actions may even be taken in response to vehicle signage or social media posts.

Hire a Contractor Licensing & CSLB Defense Lawyer

The difference between maintaining your business and losing your livelihood could be in your decision to hire a Santa Ana Contractor Licensing & CSLB Defense Lawyer. When your license or reputation is at stake, you need a legal team that not only understands the construction industry but also California’s complex regulatory environment.

At Engels-Janzen, we represent contractors in CSLB hearings, administrative appeals, and local disputes in the Orange County Superior Court – Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. Our team uses decades of practical construction and judicial experience to design individualized approaches that secure your rights while defending your license, which enables you to progress with assurance.

FAQs

What Is a Passing Score on the CSLB Exam?

In order to become licensed in California, applicants are required to pass the CSLB exam, with a minimum score of 72% on each section—the Law and Business section and the trade section. The exam is broken up into two multiple-choice exams that are taken through the Contractors’ State License Board. Candidates often take advantage of CSLB study guides or professional prep courses in order to achieve the minimum passing score.

How Hard Is the CSLB Exam?

The CSLB exam is of moderate difficulty, particularly for applicants who are not familiar with California construction law and business management. Many first-time applicants claim the Law and Business portion of the exam to be more difficult than the trade portion of the exam. However, with proper study and field experience, applicants can pass both parts of the exam after sufficient preparation.

Is It Worth It to File a Claim Against a Contractor?

Filing a claim against a contractor can be worth it in certain situations. You may have a valid reason to file a claim against a contractor if the amount at issue is large, the amount of unfinished work is significant, or there are code violations. Claims can take a long time and become expensive, so it’s a good idea to speak to a Santa Ana contractor licensing & CSLB defense attorney prior to filing.

What Is the Biggest Complaint About Contractors?

The most frequent complaint to CSLB involves a contractor who takes the consumer’s money but does not perform all of the agreed-upon work or abandons the project. Other top complaints are shoddy workmanship, performing work without a license, and not adhering to the local building code. These violations can put the contractor’s license at risk.

Contact Engels-Janzen Today

If you’ve received notice of a CSLB complaint or citation, or if you are being investigated, don’t wait until it jeopardizes your license or reputation. Contact Engels-Janzen today, and we can help you protect your license and future.