In the past 3 months, California has been devastated by the recent wildfires that have burned down many homes in the Bay Area and most recently in Southern California. Our company is saddened by these events and hope for a speedy recovery for the families who have lost their homes, personal possessions, and loved ones. Moving forward, there will be a need for many contractors in order to help with the rebuilding process. This process may be long-term due to the vast amount of damage that has occurred, click here to see a map of the affected areas. We have three pieces of advice for contractors who are hired to help with the rebuilding process.

1.) CHECK YOUR LICENSE. Ensure your license is current & active with the Contractors State License Board. If not, you may be subject to serious disciplinary actions, including arrest. Also, make sure you have a current $15,000 contractor's license bond. Check to see if your bond is up for renewal with your current insurance agent. You may also check with California Contractors Insurance Services or by calling 1-800-432-2641.

2.) GET PROPER COVERAGE. A general liability insurance policy is not required by the state, but is highly recommended and often required by hiring parties. It is important if you are working in areas that have been affected by the fires that you are properly insured. Depending on the type of work you perform, you’ll want to be insured for “fire remediation” or “fire restoration”, which are often excluded in typical policies.

3.) REPORT UNLICENSED CONTRACTOR. Scammers - watch out for them. Many people will pose as licensed contractor and/or work without a license. Beware of these individuals. Unlicensed contractors put the homeowners at risk. If you have any tips to report regarding any unlicensed contracting operation you may report these individuals to the CSLB SWIFT Team.