The Risks of Working with an Unlicensed Contractor

Working with unlicensed contractors invites significant legal risk, including:

  • Legal and financial exposure for health and safety violations
  • Legal and financial exposure for third party injuries AND
  • Going to court uninsured

What is the Installer License Classification?

The D-34 license certifies an installer as a Prefabricated Equipment Contractor, under Title 16, Division 8, Article 3 of the California Code of Regulations.

A prefabricated products/equipment contractor performs installations of prefabricated products and equipment, including but not limited to the following:

  • Theater stage equipment, school classroom equipment, playground equipment, bleacher bench/seat component parts (no installation or renovation of any supporting or structural member); store fixtures, and display cases (either prefabricated or modular form); all forms and types of toilet/shower room partitions/accessories; and prefabricated closet systems.
  • Laboratory and medical equipment, dust collecting systems; factory built fireplaces and accessories (no masonry facing); major appliance installations and ventilating hoods in connection with existing fuel and energy lines which are installed by others.
  • Bus stop shelters, prefabricated phone booths; prefabricated sound proof environmental clean rooms; panelized refrigerated walk-in boxes (not to include the work of refrigeration contractor); all types of modular office, institutional or home improvement systems including, but not limited to all types of pre-finished and/or UL listed pre-wired wall panels.

A certification from California Contractors State Licensing Board reflects the passing a rigorous licensing and bonding process.

How to check if your moving contractor is properly licensed

To check for D-34 certifications, you should query the California Contractor State Licensing Board by searching your contractors provided contractor license number. Installers, as a matter of law, must have a D-34 or B contractor’s license. It’s a misdemeanor to operate as a contractor in California without a license (B&P Sec 7028). Licensed contractors are insured and bonded, and agree to arbitrate their disputes, while unlicensed contractor are not.

What are the Risks for Hiring an Unlicensed Installer?

If you hire an unlicensed contractor, you are responsible for the unlicensed contractor’s crew’s safety on the jobsite (see CLC Sec. 2750.5). An injured worker can also sue you for CAL OSHA violations if injured while on a job, a third party impacted by an unlicensed contractor can bring an action against you, and, since there’s no guarantee of contractor insurance, you will likely be going to court uninsured.

Is Corovan Fully Licensed?

Corovan is one of California’s only fully-licensed and certified intrastate installers that also operates as a commercial mover. We’re proud of our certification, and of our health and safety record because it helps us protect our clients’ businesses.

Protect your business. Work with a fully licensed installer and certified commercial moving company.
 

Conclusion:

Corovan is one of California’s only fully-licensed and certified intrastate movers and installers. We’re proud of our certification, as well as of our health and safety record, because it helps us protect our clients’ businesses.

If you inadvertently use an unlicensed contractor you are taking on an unnecessary risk. You will be responsible for the unlicensed contractor’s crew’s safety on the jobsite (see CLC Sec. 2750.5). An injured worker can also sue you for CAL OSHA violations if injured while on a job, a third party impacted by an unlicensed contractor can bring an action against you, and, since there’s no guarantee of contractor insurance, you will likely be going to court uninsured. This is the last thing you and your business want! Corovan customers do not take on these unnecessary risks.