Licensing

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This article is the second in a series summarizing construction law developments for 2010.

By Candace Matson, Harold Hamersmith & Helen Lauderdale

1. Loranger v. Jones, 184 Cal. App. 4th 847 (3d Dist. May 2010)

Jones, a licensed contractor, had a workers’ compensation policy covering his employees. Jones unknowingly used an unlicensed subcontractor and knowingly permitted two minors without work permits, and another person without a contractor’s license, to help perform work for Loranger. Loranger refused to pay the final invoice and Jones filed suit for breach of contract. Loranger cross-complained alleging defects and sought disgorgement of monies paid. 
 Continue Reading The Year 2010 In Review: Contractor Licensing

By Candace L. Matson

As most construction professionals know, California law requires that any person engaged in the business of a contractor, or that acts in the capacity of a contractor, must be properly licensed by the Contractors State License Board (“CSLB”). Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7028. A contractor is defined broadly, as follows:
 Continue Reading Courts Uphold Disgorgement Penalty For Unlicensed Contractors

The Fifth Day, LLC v. James P. Bolotin, et al., ___ Cal.App.4th ___(March 27, 2009, No KC047712)

By Jon E. Maki & Bram Hanono

The California Court of Appeal for the Second Appellate District determined that an entity which provided construction management services to a private owner developing commercial real property was not required to be licensed as a contractor pursuant to the Contractors’ State License Law ("CSLL") (opinion by Acting Presiding Justice Armstrong, concurrence by Justice Krieger). In a lengthy dissent, Justice Mosk disagreed, highlighting that the intent of the CSLL is to protect consumers from unqualified and unlicensed contractors and predicted that the decision on a case of first impression creates a loophole in the license requirements by allowing unlicensed contractors to call themselves "construction managers."Continue Reading Construction Manager Not Required To Be Licensed Pursuant To The Contractors’ State License Law

MW Erectors, Inc. v. Niederhauser Ornamental and Metal Works Co.,
30 Cal. Rptr. 3d 755 (2005)

The California Supreme Court has clarified the rules under California Business & Professions Code section 7031 regarding an unlicensed contractor’s ability to recover compensation for performance of work which requires a contractor’s license.
Continue Reading California Supreme Court Clarifies That A Contractor Cannot Recover Any Compensation For Work Performed That Requires A Contractor’s License Unless The Contractor Was Licensed At All Times During The Performance Of The Work